Free Essay

Business Writing

In:

Submitted By robertcuppa
Words 1250
Pages 5
BUAD 201: Business Writing
Syllabus Fall 2014

Professor Katharine Sentz
Office: SGMH 5166 Phone: 657.278.3645
Office Hours: MW 12:00 am -1:00 pm (and by appointment)
E-Mail: ksentz@fullerton.edu
Department Phone: (657) 278-2223
Logon for Fullerton’s Portal: http://my.fullerton.edu

Prerequisites: English 101 or equivalent (with a grade of C or better). You may not be enrolled in BUAD 201 while taking BUAD 301.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
• apply fundamental strategies and techniques of business communication to prepare business correspondence, reports and presentations
• understand the characteristics of business writing style and the essentials of effective document design
• analyze and use contemporary business communication channels.
• analyze intercultural communication strategies, nonverbal communication, and ethics in typical workplace situations.
• prepare a basic job application package, understand job search strategies and interview process.
• exhibit team skills by collaborating with peers to write and present.
• demonstrate literacy skills by producing university caliber and workplace-acceptable documents.

The instructor may suggest a self-study program to students having difficulties with grammar and mechanics. In some cases, the instructor may advise that students hire a tutor.

Required Texts: Mary Ellen Guffey & Dana Loewy. Business Communication: Process & Product, 8th edition + Aplia Learning System (bundle). Cengage, 2014.

Other Materials: Recently published portable dictionary and thesaurus; flash drive, the course page on TITANium, class handouts. All citations must conform to APA (American Psychological Association) style.

Attendance: This course will conform to the CSUF withdrawal policies. You get two absences, no questions asked. Each additional absence will cost 10 points from your participation score. You will lose 5 points for each tardy of five minutes or more.

In-class assignments-There will be in-class assignments conducted in the classroom. Please note the dates and points available for the in-class completion of the assignments. You must complete the in-class assignments in class. In-class assignments CANNOT be made up, e-mailed to me or turned in late. Hence, if you miss class, you miss the points for the day. It is your responsibility to get notes from a classmate and master any missed material on your own. Keep in mind that even one missed assignment will lower your grade substantially. I do not give make up exams.

NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Other Policies:

 At least 50% of course assignments will be completed in class.

 Save all your papers until the end of the semester. Always back up computer files and keep hard copies of all work. Budget your time wisely. Computer or printer trouble is no excuse for late or missing work.

 All work should look professional when submitted. Each document you prepare should be formatted correctly, error-free, pleasing to the eye, clear, courteous, and business-like. Packaging is of the utmost importance. If an assignment is full of errors and/or has little eye-appeal, I cannot give it a passing grade—no matter how hard anyone tries. I will reward effort, however, by working with you during office hours and giving you as much guidance as possible. Don’t undermine your efforts by handing in sloppy work: PROOFREAD AND SPELLCHECK EVERYTHING!

 Out-of-class work must be computer printed on white, standard-size paper before coming to class. Typewritten work is only acceptable in an emergency. Handwritten work is always unacceptable.

 Participation is mandatory and will affect your final grade. Participation not only includes being in class, bringing required materials and completed assignments to class, but also contributing to class discussions, working in groups, as well as taking notes and listening to your classmates attentively.

 ASK QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATE! The best way to impress the instructor is to ask intelligent questions that arise from the coursework.

Ethics: Analyzing multiple business perspectives when approaching different communication situations, students will understand that ethical responses and strategies in one situation may present ethical dilemmas in another situation. Students learn to devise solutions to ethical dilemmas, use arguments of fact, policy and worth, and confront ethics in daily business operations. Challenges include delivering negative news messages within and outside of an organization and using persuasive messages responsibly.

Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism is the failure to cite the source of your information or language; in other words, it means presenting someone else’s work as your own. Any incident of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, or submitting falsified work, will result in an F (0%) on the assignment, possibly for the entire course, and likely additional university-level disciplinary action. If you wish to quote or paraphrase someone you must use the APA documentation format.

For more information on CSUF’s policies on academic dishonesty, please see the Student Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism: http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/Judicial/Letter%20to%20Students.asp

Assessment Statement: The programs offered at Mihaylo College of Business and Economics (MCBE) at Cal State Fullerton are designed to provide every student with the knowledge and skills essential for a successful career in business. Since assessment plays a vital role in Mihaylo College’s drive to offer the best programs, several assessment tools are implemented to constantly evaluate our program as well as our students’ progress. Students, faculty, and staff should expect to participate in MCBE assessment activities. In doing so, Mihaylo College is able to measure its strengths and weaknesses, and continue to cultivate a climate of prestige and value in its students and programs.

Access for Disabled Students: The University is committed to supporting all students and providing reasonable accommodations when it is possible and appropriate to do so. Students with temporary or permanent disabilities may receive assistance and support services through the Disability Support Services Office, UH 101, 657.278.3117, http://www.fullerton.edu/DSS. This office reviews documentation and determines the necessary specific accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a disability are entitled to reasonable accommodation after they have identified themselves as a student with a disability. Those students must request specific accommodations and provide documentation in support of their request. The student will be given a form which then must be given to me. This form will advise me of the reasonable accommodation that is to be provided.

Emergency Procedures: Familiarize yourself with CSUF emergency procedures and add emergency contact information to your phone! You may find Emergency information here: http://prepare.fullerton.edu/

Assignments: Points:

Business messages (good-news, negative-news, persuasive messages; executive summaries, sales messages); approx. 5-6 total 300=30%
Career Package (résumé and cover letter) 100=10%
Information competency: Library/electronic database research + Short memo report; groups of 2-3 or individuals 100=10%
Group Presentation 50= 5%
Participation (in class and as reflected in quality of homework/exercises) 100=10%
Aplia 50=5%
Portfolio of your best work 50=5%
Final Exam (negative news scenario, in class) 250=25%
Total 1000

Grading Standard (your points/1000): Pass:
A (93-100) Your boss loves your work and your career advancement is assured.
A- (90-92)
B+ (87-89)
B (83-87) Your boss is pleased with your work and your career advancement is likely.
B- (80-82)
C+ (77-79)
C (73-76) Everything is OK, but don’t overestimate your value to the company. Fail:
C- (70-72)
D+ (67-69)
D (63-66) Your boss is watching for improvement; don’t hang photos in your cubicle.
D- (60-63)
F (below 60) Clean out your desk.

Some assignments may be evaluated + (above average),  (average), - (below average). THESE GRADES INFLUENCE YOUR PARTICIPATION SCORE!

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Business Writing

...Writing is largely an iterative process that improves with practice. We have done a great deal of writing and revising in this course. We have also read Timothy Flood’s Business Writing in its entirety. Reflect on your writing skills and confidence five weeks ago and consider the progress you have made. Specifically, what new skills have you added to your writer’s repertoire that will help carry you through your graduate program? Discussion I Professor and Class, What an interesting five weeks. I am so happy we’re almost done! Five weeks ago, I struggle with getting started on writing. Today, I feel my writing skills have improved tremendously. I no longer struggle with getting started and I feel I am a much stronger writer compared to five weeks ago. I think the best advice I’d obtained from Flood and Thomas was being able to communicate to a diverse audience. Both Flood and Thomas brought awareness to writing clear and concise and using proper grammar, punctuations and to reframe from using slang, big words or using words that could have multiple meanings, which can be confusing to international readers. I also learned the importance of being able to convey my written intent to my audience the first time. This will ensure that my reader understand my intent and is able to respond to my request or instructions accordingly. Lastly, I discovered when writers incorporate business-writing techniques as part of their normal writing process (writing business or...

Words: 1218 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Business Writing

...Business Writing Portfolio Part I: Business Writing Steps. Target Audiences Store Managers Store Employees Consumers and Public Communication types that will be used Store Managers – Business memo Store Employees – E-mail Consumers and Public – Business letter Part II: Letter: 614 Crestwell Ave. Tampa, FL 33602 January, 2010 Dear Store Managers: Rising gas prices and increased operating expenses require our company to amend our current store policy regarding employee work hours. In order to eliminate this new problem of increased costs, it will be necessary for our company to amend our existing store hours. To begin with, stores will now be closed on Sundays. In addition, Monday through Saturday, each work day will be shortened by two hours, and stores will be opening one hour later and closing one hour earlier. Instead of the usual work week consisting of 8-hour days five days a week, managers will now be required to work 10-hour days four days of the week. This change of schedule will not only benefit our organization but it will also benefit you personally because it will allow you to save additional money on gas, will give your more free time to enjoy with your family, and it will allow you to feel less stress. In addition to these changes, part-time employees will need to consolidate all of their hours into 1, 2, or 3 day workweeks, depending on the number of hours that they are normally scheduled to work. Also, our company has...

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Rub of Business Writing

...The Rubrics of Business Writing How to Improve Your Research Papers in All Courses How will you be evaluated on your business, accounting, and economics research papers?  Every draft of any research paper should meet the following normal expectations for college level papers: Style will be business like, and to the point.  Don't puff to meet artificial page count.  Instead, after you have the appropriate number of pages, edit 10-30% of text to make a streamlined marvel of business writing. Document the reduction if it is substantial, showing your teacher that you wrote a longer paper and then took time to edit it!  The more substantial, the better. Why edit?  Save paper; save ink; and save the reader's time The criterion for good style can be summarized in the following six commands to the writer:         Reduce word count. (E.g., The fact is, you don't need phrases like "the fact is".)         Make parallel lists of two or more ideas ("instant style", as Strunk and White wrote in Elements of Style).         Activate your writing, eliminating passive voice (except in committee reports or diplomatic writing).         Specify your thoughts, substituting precise wording for vague phrases and statements.         Illustrate your ideas, with examples, charts, statsitics, quotes of expert opinion, cases, and so on.         Organize your ideas in good paragraph and section structure.  (More on this follows...

Words: 853 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Rubrics of Business Writing

...The Rubrics of Business Writing How to Improve Your Research Papers in All Courses How will you be evaluated on your business, accounting, and economics research papers?  Every draft of any research paper should meet the following normal expectations for college level papers: Style will be business like, and to the point.  Don't puff to meet artificial page count.  Instead, after you have the appropriate number of pages, edit 10-30% of text to make a streamlined marvel of business writing. Document the reduction if it is substantial, showing your teacher that you wrote a longer paper and then took time to edit it!  The more substantial, the better. Why edit?  Save paper; save ink; and save the reader's time The criterion for good style can be summarized in the following six commands to the writer:         Reduce word count. (E.g., The fact is, you don't need phrases like "the fact is".)         Make parallel lists of two or more ideas ("instant style", as Strunk and White wrote in Elements of Style).         Activate your writing, eliminating passive voice (except in committee reports or diplomatic writing).         Specify your thoughts, substituting precise wording for vague phrases and statements.         Illustrate your ideas, with examples, charts, statsitics, quotes of expert opinion, cases, and so on.         Organize your ideas in good paragraph and section structure.  (More on this follows...

Words: 853 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Business Writing

...Final Project Overview Business Writing Portfolio During this course, you will complete six writing pieces to be compiled and submitted as your Business Writing Portfolio. Each assignment, with the exception of the reflection, must be revised by incorporating your instructor’s feedback and your understanding of the writing process. You are encouraged to use the tools available in the Center for Writing Excellence; of particular importance are WritePointSM and Tutor Review. WritePointSM submission will help reduce the amount of editing and rewriting you may have to do in finalizing the documents for your portfolio. The Business Writing Portfolio, submitted in Week Nine, must showcase your best work. Deliverables List and Portfolio Document Ordering 1. Cover page 2. Reflection 3. Business Writing Graphic Organizer 4. Week Five assignments—two parts 5. Tuition Reimbursement Implementation Report 6. Submission Checklist 7. PowerPoint® presentation, submitted as a separate attachment 8. Final Project Timeline 9. You should budget your time wisely and work on this project throughout the course. As outlined below, some assignments in the course are designed to assist you in creating your final project. If you complete your course activities and use feedback provided by the instructor, you will be on the right track to successfully complete the project. 10. • Suggested in Week One: Print this Appendix and keep a copy of Appendix G in a folder with other work from this...

Words: 611 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Business Report Writing

...Business Report Writing Class of 2017 Semester-2 Credits: 2 Sessions: 32 Course Objective The module bestows on the students opportunities to learn and practice business writing skills. The module is exercise –driven & hands-on and covers the following areas * Principles of business writing * Letters, Memos, Claims & responses * Note making, Abstracts, Summaries, Recommendations * Business Reports * Business Proposals * Brochures * Blogs * Netiquette * Effective Presentation Skills Learning Outcome At the end of the module and on completion of all exercises, the student will be able to 1. Demonstrate effective business writing skills-Letters, memos, reports and business proposals 2. Excel in preparing Blogs and Brochures 3. Understand the approach to Precise writing, Abstracts, Summaries and Recommendations 4. Make Effective Presentations Text Book * Communicating in Business 8th edition – Williams, Krizan. Logan and Merrier Reference Books 1. Business Communication-Meenakshi Raman & Prakash Singh-Oxford University Press 2. BCOM-Business Communication- lehman, Dufrenhe, Sinha Publisher- Cengage Learning Instructor’s details Prof. Anitha Acharya email-anitha.acharya@ibsindia.org Phone: 8712290557 F...

Words: 282 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Business Writing Project

...Final Project: Business Writing Project XCOM285 Part 1 How to Use Social Media for Business The article is written for a business audience. The writers are addressing businesses or organizations by mentioning the benefits of social media. They address how social media can be used to find out what competitors are doing. The article mentions how businesses need to understand who their customers are. The purpose of the article is to inform the reader of the benefits and downfalls of social media. The benefits mentioned are how to build a company’s fan or customer base. The article informs the readers that social media is not a way to sell their fans but to understand what their fans or customer needs. The article serves a purpose to persuade. By addressing the benefits of social media they are forming a persuasive stance on social media and how it can help a business. The writer organizes the information in the article by providing topics of the do’s and don’ts. The writer first lists the don’ts of social media. She gives an explanation of what not to do with social media. She writes about the downfalls of what happens with fans or customers if a business does not pay attention to their social media account and to understand how to operate the account to benefit their business. The writer continues to list the benefits of social media by providing the understanding of how a social website can help a business grow their customer base. By understanding...

Words: 1267 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Writing a Business Plan

...|WRITING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN | Most Business Plans include the following sections: Title Page Contents Page Business Description Personal Information Curriculum Vitae Market Pricing Promotion Business Organisation Work Tasks Bookkeeping System Job Description/s Contract/s of Employment Legal Structure Premises Cash Flows Cash Flow Notes Action Now Long-term Plans Appendices [e.g. photographs of products etc] The main purposes of writing a Business Plan are: - a. To present information [such as to potential funders] about your proposed business both thoroughly and clearly. b. For you to think carefully and write about your proposed business. c. To provide you with an action plan to follow when establishing and running the business. You will be able to refer to this once you have started trading. Your Business Plan will be best presented...

Words: 1932 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Business Writing Portfolio

...Running Head: 76587456 BUSINESS WRITING PORTFOLIOS Business Writing Portfolio Name: Institution: Course: Date: Introduction The work of a Public Relations Manager is to keep employees updated on the relevant information pertaining to the company. He/ she have to inform the relevant stakeholders about changes in corporate policy which is likely to cause impact on operation, revenue and the general reputation of the company. One such scenario of changes may take place due to rise in the cost of gas. The adverse effect may be felt when retail hours are being adopted in order to acclimatize with the changes. In this situation, public relations manager must inform stakeholders such as store managers, employees and retail customers as well as the general public. This particular kind of message must be communicated to the audience through various medium of business communication which may involve letters, memos and retail messages. The Public Relations Manager should ensure that the information channeled to the audience is well formed and delivered successfully. It is important to note that forming and delivering a successful message takes various writing steps. Business Writing Steps In choosing out the business step, it should be put into consideration that the target reader has the time to read the letter or access the information through email. Much focus should be paid to what is being said and what it means to the employees and the investment. It should...

Words: 1128 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Business Writing Portfolio

...Business Writing Portfolio Part I: Business Writing Steps • Do an audience analysis • Identify o The target audience  Store managers  Store employees  Retail customers and the public o The communication channels  Oral or written o What the message is set to do  Persuade, inform, praise or shock (Townsend Hall, 2005) • Organize o The structure and format of the message o Keep communication simple and to the point. o Proofread the message o Deliver the message • Follow-up o Was the message clear to the audience o Does the audience have additional questions o Determine if extra communication is required Part II: Portfolio Business Letter: Store Managers Hook Retail 1234 Main Ave Charlotte, NC 28213 January 19, 2010 Mrs. Sophia Walker 532 Shortbend Road Charlotte, NC 27563 RE: Hook Retail Stores Modified Operations Dear Mrs. Walker, We would like to thank you for your dedication and hard work you have provided this company over the years. You may be aware of the increase in gas prices. Due to the rise, it is causing higher costs to the company as well as inflating gas bills for managers and employees commuting to work. We want to take this opportunity to inform you of the upcoming changes to our retail chains. These changes should ease your current position, save our employees’ money and time, and in the end guarantee the survival of our company. Effective February 1, 2010, a workday will consist of 10 hours. This...

Words: 1066 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Business Writing Rtw

...Western Governors University (WGU) Business Research & Writing (RTW1) FTI Consulting Inc. December 20, 2012 Tables of Contents: Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………..1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...1 Advantages of Online retail Marketing………………………………………………....3-4 Disadvantage of Online retail Marketing………………………………………….........3-5 Potential Impact of Online Sales for Company……………………………………........5-6 Requirements for a successful Online Market Campaign…………………………........6 Recommendation………………………………………………………………………...7 Analysis on Starting an online retail marketing………………………………………...8-9 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………9 Source page…………………………………………………………………………...10-11 Executive Summary Section: In this report will illustrate the findings and analysis done for the online marketing opportunities directed towards retail sales. This report will help guide and illustrate to viewers in all business aspect about the understanding of the advantages and well as disadvantages of marketing products and or services online. This report will also give you a better sense of how easy, fast, and convenient to market a product or service successfully and how many endless opportunities there are when promoting or establishing a product online. This online retail marketing will eventually be the norm of how to do business online rather than in stores or other places. If anyone wants to start a online retail business and to grow your online sales this report...

Words: 4804 - Pages: 20

Free Essay

Fundamental of Business Writing

...One Introdution: Fundamentals of Business Writing I. The major differences between school writing and business writing School writing, typically in the form of essays, is aimed at impressing the audience, i.e. examiners. To score high, student writers have to use fairly complicated vocabulary and sentences in their written work. Business writers, however, mainly aim to communicate information to their colleagues, clients, and other associated parties. They are relatively free to use what language that can get the business done efficiently and effectively. II. Seven steps in the process of wring 1. clarifying your aim 2. identifying your readers 3. making a general plan 4. sketching a synopsis (大纲) 5. drafting your text 6. putting the draft aside 7. revising and editing ★ Writing is a recursive and creative process. The detailed plan is not adhered to in actual writing. Writers frequently come up with ideas that are activated in the process of writing. Writers read the text they have already produced to help generate more ideas. In effect, the writing process is no linear at all but is characterized by recursive ness and creativeness. III. Three principles of business writing 1. Clarity – means setting your message across clearly. (See detailed information on page 4) 2. Consideration – good business writers take their readers’ needs, problems, and reactions to the writing into consideration. And they put themselves...

Words: 12607 - Pages: 51

Free Essay

Art of Business Writing

...The Art of Writing Business Letters Write letter in a manner such as to secure the respect and consideration of the person with whom you correspond. The rules for the mechanical execution of a letter are few; understanding and observing the rules already considered for composition, the writer has only to study perfect naturalness of expression, to write a letter well. [pic][pic] Variously missing from their letters are headings, dates, inside addresses, salutations and complimentary closings. And the forms are disheveled. Frankly, in terms of form, often I am unable to distinguish any discernible differences between letters written by students, their teachers and by many other professionals. Apparently, for many, the art of writing a standard business letter has been lost. What are considered essential elements for a standard business letter. Know the format. Whatever the content of your letter, visually it should resemble the picture below. Note that business letters are composed in common fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman, and that they are justified to the left. Most employ block paragraphing - i.e., to start a new paragraph, hit "return" twice and don't use an indent. [pic] [pic] Letterhead. Include the sender's company and the company address; if you're self-employed or an independent contractor, add your name either in place of the company name or on top of it. If your company has pre-designed letterhead, use this; otherwise, simply typing the...

Words: 2775 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Business Writing Portfolio

...Business Communication Trend Abraham Fetalvero University of Phoenix Com 285 Bill Liesman August 23, 2011 Business Communication Trend Exchange of information for business, clients, and customers is paramount in business communication. Current trend in business communication is constantly changing. There are ten trend in business, government, and non-profit organizations affect businesses and administrative communication: Technology changes, including information overload and data security versus privacy; a focus on quality and customers’ needs; entrepreneurship; teamwork, diversity; globalization and outsourcing; legal and ethical concerns; balancing work and family; job flexibility; and the rapid rate of change (Locker & Kienzler, 2008). Businesses adapt quickly to new forms of technology that enhances the experiences of workers. New software and programs are always available in the market that can help businesses, with the new programs; employees have to be trained, so that employees will have the knowledge to operate the programs or devices. In professional setting, business communication plays many roles in day-to-day activities. Everything I do involves communication. Good flow of business communication is about sharing information that is useful to co-workers, business partners and clients. I used to be employed with the Department of Defense, where business communication is very important. The role of business communication in my job involves...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Business Writing Portafolio

...Core competencies are those activities that are critical to a business achieving competitive advantage. Senior management cannot focus on all activities of a business and the competencies required undertaking them. So the goal is for management to focus attention on competencies that really affect competitive advantage. School of Business (SOB) it would important to divide the goals that they want to achieve and treat them as separate. For example, the finance department should develop goals to make the program better for the students. Every major program should develop little attainable goals in order to make school better as a whole. The school should create alliances with other business schools in the area and see what are their weaknesses and what can they do to make them better. Big companies could create job opportunities as well as sponsor programs that would incentive students to attend to East Central. In my opinion creating more online courses would be a plus for the school. This would create an opportunity for students that work far away from campus to access the classes. Also scholarship could be an incentive for students to come join the school of business. Current students also could be rewarded for their grades in some kind of way. In the long run they should try to create bigger master programs as well as advising centers that will help students start at a good job. Those are some of the initiatives the school should pursue in the long run. As the article says...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3