1

General Information

Welcome to English 3000: Business Writing. Here is a syllabus for the course. You are responsible for the information therein, so read it over carefully and print out a hardcopy.

In this online course, you must complete multiple reading and writing assignments within the context of five modules over the span of fifteen weeks. This is the first module. While strict deadlines will be upheld for assignments, you are encouraged to work at your own pace.

We have one paperback text for this course, the eleventh edition of The Business Writer's Handbook:

Be sure to use this edition; page numbers and content differ in previous editions.

You may email me with questions via Pilot and [email protected]. I always answer within 24 hours, usually sooner, on the condition that your emails are written in complete sentences and free of mechanical errors. This is a college writing course, so make sure your queries are polished and professional and I will promptly address your concerns. Even better than email: visit me in my office to discuss matters in person. I want to see everybody excel and I’m here as a resource, but too frequently, students in my online courses don’t contact me when they encounter difficulties. Students who do make an effort to connect with me, however, invariably get better grades.

Please check your WSU email regularly throughout the semester. I often send out reminders about assignments, holidays, etc.

This course is run by way of my own website in conjunction with Pilot, Wright State University's distance learning program. The index page will operate as your primary resource for the course. You may access this page via Pilot or www.wright.edu/~david.wilson.

All major and minor assignments should be submitted to me via Pilot on their respective due dates and times. Go to the Dropbox to upload your work. Assignments may be submitted as .doc, .docx, .rtf or .pdf files.

You are responsible for monitoring the upload of each assignment you submit. Assignments submitted after their due dates have elapsed (whether it be one day, ten days, or one minute) will not be accepted. Assignments are due every Friday at 9 a.m. These modules and Pilot provide you with all due dates from the beginning to the end of the course so that you can organize and manage your time. Never wait until the last minute to submit work in case of computer glitches or other issues that might occur. Always provide yourself with enough time to upload your work.

Grades are based upon a point system tallied throughout the quarter by Pilot. Major assignments are worth 100 points and minor assignments are worth 25 points.

For most major assignments, you will be asked to produce a piece of writing for a hypothetical company or position in the business world. Whatever the assignment, you should always attempt to distinguish and individuate yourself in some way from other potential candidates, co-workers, etc. You will be graded on the dynamism and effectiveness of how you represent yourself in your writing in terms of CONTENT as well as STYLE.

These modules contain numerous readings regarding the stylistics and mechanics of business writing as described in The Business Writer's Handbook. You will not be tested specifically on these readings, but your writing will be expected to exhibit the rules that they explain, so it is important that you read them thoroughly.

FINAL NOTE: Under no circumstances should parents or guardians of students contact me with questions or concerns regarding a student's performance or the course itself. Such matters are confidential and protected by university policy. Parents and guardians need to contact the Wright State University administration with questions or concerns. Students, however, may contact me freely and are encouraged to do so.

The Student Success Center offers FREE services to help students meet their full potential. Students can find tutoring in any subject, study buddies, one-on-one technology workshops, feedback on writing assignments, and general academic skills coaching.

Location: 182 Andrews
Phone: 419.586.0326
Website: lake.wright.edu/ssc

Students who use the SSC for help on their writing assignments will be given 10 extra credit points for each visit. To make an appointment, call or visit the SSC.

Reading & Comprehension

Review and familiarize yourself with The Business Writer's Handbook. All readings assigned to you will be in bold print and followed in parentheses by the first page number on which the reading appears. (In most cases, readings are longer than one page. Find where they are in the text by using the A-Z tabs on the right side of the pages.)

At the beginning of the textbook, read Preface, Five Steps to Successful Writing, and all of the additional underlined topics listed under Checklist of the Writing Process.

Read memos, plagiarism and ethics in writing.

Read the following sections on THE WRITING PROCESS: purpose, audience, readers, brainstorming, note-taking, point of view, outlining, sentence construction, paragraphs, coherence, conciseness and clarity.

Read application cover letters, paying special attention to the sample letters.

Assignments

Ideal Jobs: Prepare a list 5-10 ideal jobs. Then explain why you want these jobs and what sort of writing you expect to do for them. 250-500 words. Submit via Pilot. DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m.

Personal Memo: Prepare a concise, conversational, well-planned print memo introducing yourself to me. Tell me something memorable about yourself, indicate your future career aims, and tell me what you would like to learn in this class. Use your best grammar, mechanics, and spelling skills. 250-500 words. Submit via Pilot. DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Sep. 7, 9 a.m.

Application Letter: Use the writing process to write a letter of application for an entry-level position in a desired field. Pattern your letter after the samples in the textbook. Be sure the letter distinguishes you as a unique, dynamic candidate for the position. Submit via Pilot. DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Sep. 14, 9 a.m.