Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Business Writing and Rhetoric
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Anna MacBriar, PhD
Time: 3:00-4:15, 4:30-5:45
Location: CLRE 302, CLRE 209
Office Hours: MW 10-12 and by appt.
Office Location: 1338 Grandview (see map)
Textbook: Business Writer’s Companion, by Alred, et al
(recommended).
Contents
Course Overview
2
Learning Resources
3
Assignments
 Grading
4
6
University Policies
7
Course Schedule
8
Map to 1338 Grandview
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Course Overview
The focus of this course is persuasive writing and rhetoric in business contexts. Students will explore and
practice the skills needed for purpose-driven and audience-centered communication in a variety
rhetorical situations. For a unifying topic, we will spend much of the semester exploring the relationship
between business ethics and business ethos—that is, the identity we construct for ourselves with language.
CCHE Criteria
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has set forth the following learning goals for this course:
Extended knowledge of rhetorical technique, including, but not limited to, traditional
modes of persuasion and rhetorical situation. This goal will be achieved through:
 Close rhetorical examination of your own writing, as well texts from a variety of business genres and
other rhetorical modalities.
 Ongoing self-reflection and continued awareness of your successes and challenges in meeting the needs
of different audiences and purposes.
Continued experience in writing processes, through:
 Extensive revision of each assignment, at all levels (prose style, argument, organization, etc.).
Invention workshops in which multiple topics and rhetorical strategies are explored and evaluated by
peers and the instructor.
 Generic modeling and critique of writing samples from the world of business.
 In-depth peer review throughout the writing process.
 Guided self-reflection throughout the writing process.
 Practice with a variety of current digital technologies, including, but not limited to, social media,
PowerPoint, and multimedia production software.
 Critical investigation into the forms and limitations of the above media as rhetorical modalities.
 Information literacy training from a variety of business and professional perspectives.
Mastery of writing conventions both within and beyond disciplinary boundaries, gained
through:
 Practice with a variety of generic conventions of the business world.
 Ongoing development of an extensive and in-depth business vocabulary.
 Practice using English language conventions such as spelling, syntax, style, grammar, and punctuation,
to achieve advanced rhetorical goals.
Full comprehension of the rhetorical demands of a variety of business and professional
contexts, developed through:
 Close attention to the interplay of audience and purpose in each writing assignment.
 Adapting (student-developed) content sources for the needs of a variety of audiences.
 Close rhetorical analysis of texts from within a variety of business contexts.
 Writing different assignments for different audiences, as well as writing for multiple audiences within
one assignment.
Delivery
This course is conducted with a combination of peer-review workshops, lectures, discussions, in-class
exercises, and instructor-student conferences.
Peer-review Workshops: Most of our time in class will be spend in small group peer review
workshops; therefore, it is very important that you make the most of workshops by coming to class
prepared to work. Workshop activities will vary from day to day, and will include brainstorming, content
development and structuring, sentence-level feedback, etc. Students will be assigned to new workshop
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
groups the first day of each unit. Peer review should always be approached with respect and a genuine
desire to improve one’s own work, as well as the work of your group members.
Lectures and Discussions: Each unit will include several lectures and discussions about the assigned
readings and other topics that pertain to writing and rhetoric. Always complete the assigned reading
before the class on the day it is due and come prepare to engage in substantive discussion of topic.
Office Hours: I strongly encourage you to come to my office hours (or by appt.) if you have any question
about the course or your writing, or you would like feedback from me in addition to what you receive on
your portfolio submissions.
Class Participation: Your intelligent and enthusiastic participation is a necessary component of the
overall success of this course. Class participation will be assessed periodically throughout the course.
Thoughtful and well-informed (by the readings) participation in workshops and discussions will result in
a high participation grade. Behavior that disrupts and/or disrespects the classroom learning environment
will result in a low class participation grade. The use of cell phones, including texting, is prohibited in
class. Persistent disregard of this rule will result in a lowered class participation grade. Turn your cell
phone off before entering the classroom.
Attendance and Tardiness: Because most of the course is delivered through workshop, discussion,
and lecture, attendance is crucial to meeting the course goals.
Course Surveys: At the end of each unit, you will be asked to complete a course survey on CULearn.
These surveys are anonymous, and will assist me in my ongoing efforts to create the most effective
learning experience possible.
Learning Resources
The following are brief introductions to texts and other resources we will use throughout the course.
Readings: We will read and discuss a variety of essays on topics in business rhetoric and business ethics.
In addition, we will examine samples of the kinds of writing you will be doing in class. You will choose one
essay on which to focus your rhetorical analysis in Unit I.
Websites
 Silva Rhetoricae (http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/Silva.htm): Comprehensive website devoted to
rhetorical knowledge.
 Purdue OWL (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/): Comprehensive website devoted to writing in college
and beyond.
Technology
CULearn
 All handouts, including the syllabus, assignment sheets, readings, etc., will be available on our CULearn
site.
 All assignments must be uploaded onto CULearn.
E-mail
 Please use the CULearn mail function to e-mail me with any course-related questions.
 Please use my CULink e-mail address (macbriar@colorado.edu) only when CULearn is unavailable.
 I check e-mail once or twice a day, M-F, 9am-5pm. Do not expect me to respond to your email over the
weekend.
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Software: Assignments should be submitted in MS Word, or a compatible word processing software.
Laptops: I encourage you to bring your laptop to class, but I expect it to be used only as a resource for
achieving the course goals. Other uses of laptops in class are strongly discouraged and will, if persistent,
result in a lowered class participation grade
Multimedia
You will need a basic digital video editing program and the use of a video camera in order to complete the
digital profile assignment. Video editing programs, such as “I-movie” for Macs and Windows Moviemaker
for PCs, are available to download for free. You can check out a video camera from the CU Media Lab, but
only during our designated time in April.
Writing Center
One-on-one sessions with consultants trained in writing pedagogy. Consultants provide feedback and
advice geared toward promoting writers' abilities to communicate successfully and think critically in the
complex and changing environments of the university, the workplace, and society. Services are FREE to
all CU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Visits are by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
 Norlin M250
303-735-6906
wrtghelp@colorado.edu
http://www.colorado.edu/pwr/writingcenter.html
Assignments
The following is a list, plus a brief general description, of the assignments you will complete in this course.
All assignments must be turned in on CULearn. Prewriting will first be turned in to the discussion board
(linked to the homepage), and Unit Portfolios, which include a collection of all prewriting, the final draft
of the Assignment, and a learning reflection.
Assignment List
Miscellaneous
Online Peer Review
Random Prewriting Check
Group Presentation
Class Participation
20% Total
2%
3%
5%
10%
Portfolio I
Assignment I Invention Worksheet
Assignment I Rough Draft
First Draft of Assignment I
Final Draft of Assignment I
Assignment I Learning Reflection
20% Total
1%
3%
5%
10%
1%
Portfolio II
Assignment II Invention Worksheet
Assignment II Rough Draft
First Draft of Assignment II
Final Draft of Assignment II
Assignment II Learning Reflection
20% Total
1%
3%
5%
10%
1%
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Portfolio III
Assignment III Invention Worksheet
Assignment III Rough Draft
First Draft of Assignment III
Final Draft of Assignment III
Assignment III Learning Reflection
20% Total
1%
3%
5%
10%
1%
Portfolio IV
Digital Profile Invention Worksheet
Digital Profile Storyboard
Digital Profile Script
First Draft Digital Profile
First Draft Digital Profile Analysis
Final Draft Digital Profile
Final Draft Digital Profile Analysis
Digital Profile Learning Reflection
20% Total
1%
1.5%
1.5%
2.5%
2.5%
5%
5%
1%
Assignment Summaries
Invention Worksheet (All Units): In this 1-2 page assignment, you will explore the viability of three
possible topics for you Assignment.
Rough Draft (Units I, II, and III): The rough draft represents your first writing on the subject. Turn
in 2-5 pages of raw material that you hope to eventually shape into an Assignment. We will look at this
draft in workshop to help you begin to develop your Assignment’s structure.
First Draft (Units I, II, and III): This is the first complete draft of the Assignment. It should be well
organized and carefully edited. It should represent your best efforts at this stage in the drafting process.
The first draft will be edited for reasoning, organization, and language.
Unit IV Prewriting: In Unit IV, you will complete an Invention Worksheet, write a script, and draft a
storyboard for your Digital Profile before you begin shooting. These assignments will be grade like other
prewriting.
Final Draft (Units I, II, and III): The final draft is a revision of the first draft based on peer feedback,
as well as your own understanding of how the assignment should ultimately come together. If you turn
the final draft in on time, you may revise it for a higher grade once you have received feedback from me.
Learning Reflection (All Units + Final Reflection): The learning reflection consists of a series of
short essay questions asking you to think about what you have learned and the skills you have acquired
and improved upon during the preceding unit. The final learning reflection asks you to think reflect back
on your learning and writing throughout the semester.
Digital Profile (Unit IV): For this assignment you will create a 3-5 minute multimedia text with which
you will represent yourself to a prospective employer or set of employers.
Digital Profile Analysis (Unit IV): For this assignment, you will rhetorically analyze both the
strengths and weaknesses of your Digital Profile.
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Grades
Each assignment has its own specific requirements, which will be described in detail on the assignment
sheets and discussed in class as needed. The following are general criteria for how the assignment will be
graded.
Meets Expectations--85%
 Meets all of the criteria for success.
 Or, meets most (more than half) of the criteria for success listed on the assignment sheet, and exceeds
those criteria is significant ways.
Needs Improvement--70%
 Meets most, but not all, of the criteria for success
Exceptional--100%
Meets all of the criteria for success listed on the assignment sheet, and exceeds those criteria in significant
ways. The Assignment grade is the sum of each individual grade.
Unacceptable--55%
 Meets less than half of the criteria for success.
Prewriting: All pre-writing is assigned one grade of Meets Expectations, Needs Improvement, Exceeds
Expectations, or Unacceptable.
Final Drafts: Each of the following criteria is assessed individually for final drafts.
 Use of Language
 Organization and Formatting
 Content: Justification (Evidence), Reasonable Inference (Logic), Coherence
 Use of Sources
The digital profile will be assessed based on its overall persuasiveness.
Late Work and Revisions
Prewriting
 First, submit all prewriting through the CULearn discussion forum (linked to the home page). The
discussion forum will be used for all online workshops.
 Second, submit all prewriting (along with the Final Draft) in through the Portfolio link (also linked to
the homepage).
 I will check (and assess) first prewriting submission on a random basis. These checks will amount to 5%
of your course grade. Missed prewriting checks may not be made up.
 Prewriting will not be accepted after the Portfolio due date.
Final Drafts
 Submit Final Drafts through the Portfolio link.
 Final Drafts that are turned in on time may be revised and re-submitted for a higher grade. Revisions
must be submitted within four weeks of the initial submission due date (see Course Schedule.
 Final Drafts will be accepted for full credit up to four weeks after initial due date, however, they may
not be revised for a higher grade. Additionally, I will designate final drafts that are turned in late as
very low priority on my list of assignments to grade.
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
University Policies
Disabilities Accom0dation
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability
Services in a timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines
accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html
Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable
accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at
www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
Classroom Behavior
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment.
Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy
and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of
race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class
rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to
address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the
semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and
athttp://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
Discrimination and Harassment
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of
Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships
apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been
the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and
Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information
about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals
regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh .
Academic Integrity
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the
academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid
of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic
misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students
who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions
from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation,
suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Course Schedule
This schedule is tentative and subject to change, with adequate notice.
Introduction to Course
During the first two weeks of class, you will be introduced to course policies and procedures, the concept
of business rhetoric and rhetorical criticism, and an approach to business ethics that will guide much of
our work in this course.
Monday, January 11
 Roll
 Enrollment Questions
 Syllabus and Course Overview
Wednesday, January 13
 Roll
 Enrollment Questions
 Icebreaker and Group Formation
 Discussion: What is rhetoric?; Business Ethics
 Intro to CULearn Site
Monday, January 18: MLK Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 20
Read: “Language and Corporate Values”
 Discussion: “Language and Corporate Values”
 Introduction to Presentation and Presentation Sign-up
Unit I
In this unit, you will write a rhetorical analysis of an essay on a specific topic in business ethics.
Monday, January 25
Read: “The Nature of Rhetorical Criticism” and “Doing Rhetorical Criticism”
 Roll
 Intro to Assignment I
 Discussion: Rhetorical Criticism
Wednesday, January 27
Read: “Neo-Aristotelian Criticism”
Due: Assignment I Invention Worksheet
Post to CULearn and bring a copy to class.
 Roll
 Discussion: Neo-Aristotelian Criticism
 Invention Workshop
Monday, February 1
Due: First Draft of Assignment I and three workshop questions
 Roll
 Pronouns: Precision and Politics
 Student Presentation
Wednesday, February 3
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Read: Your group’s First Draft of Assignment I
Post answers to three questions online.
Bring a copy of your own draft to class.
 Roll
 Workshop: First Draft of Assignment I
Unit II
In this unit, you will write a recommendation report that addresses a current ethical problem or issue
facing a real business or organization.
Monday, February 8
Due: Unit I Portfolio
 Roll
 Introduction to Assignment II
Wednesday, February 10
Due: Assignment II Invention Worksheet
Read: “Corporate Rolls and Personal Virtues”
Post online and bring a copy to class.
 Roll
 Discussion: “Corporate Rolls and Personal Virtues;” Who are you at work?
 Assignment II Invention Workshop
Monday, February 15
 Due: Rough Draft of Assignment II
Post on CULearn and bring a copy to class.
 Roll
 Discussion: Reasoning and Evidence
 Workshop: Rough Draft of Assignment II
Wednesday, February 17
Read: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”; Sample Recommendation Report
 Roll
 Discussion: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;” Sample Recommendation Report
Monday, February 22
Due: First Draft of Assignment II and three workshop questions.
 Roll
 Discussion: Passive Voice and Modifier Errors
 Student Presentation
Wednesday, February 24
Read: Your group’s First Draft of Assignment II
Post answers to three workshop questions online.
 Roll
 Workshop: First Draft of Assignment II
Unit III
In Unit III, you will write two write two short graduate school admissions essays.
Monday, March 1
Read: 65…Essays, p. xi-xiv
Due: Unit II Portfolio
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
 Roll
 Intro to Assignment III
Wednesday, March 3
Read: “Strategic Planning—For the Good Life;” 65…Essays, p. 63-71
 Due: Assignment III Invention Worksheet
 Roll
 Discussion: “Strategic Planning—For the Good Life” and Career Aspirations
 Assignment III Invention Workshop
Monday, March 8
Read: “On Pleasure;” 65…Essays, p. 113-120
Due: Rough Draft of Assignment III
Post to CULearn and bring a copy to class.
(Last day to turn in Final Draft or Optional Revision of Assignment I.)
 Roll
 Workshop: Rough Draft of Assignment III
 Discussion: “On Pleasure” and Accomplishment
Wednesday, March 10
Read: “Wealth” and “Greed;” 65…Essays, p.171-179
 Roll
 Discussion: “Wealth,” “Greed,” Ethics
 Student Presentation
Monday, March 15
Due: First Draft of Assignment III and three workshop questions
 Roll
 Discussion: Revising Prose for Clarity and Strength
 Student Presentation
Wednesday, March 17
 Read: Your group’s First Drafts of Assignment III
Post answers to workshop questions on CULearn.
Bring a copy of your draft to class.
 Roll
 Workshop: Final Drafts of Assignment III
Monday, March 22--Friday, March 26: Spring Break
Unit IV
In the final part of the course, you will design and compose a short digital profile—a multimedia essay in
which you will present yourself to a prospect employer or set of employers.
Monday, March 29
Due: Unit III Portfolio
 Roll
 Intro to Intro to Digital Profile
 Presentation on Video Resumes (TBD)
Wednesday, March 31
Due: Invention Worksheet
Bring a copy of the invention worksheet to class.
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Spring 2010: WRTG 3040.019, 021
Bring a copy of your resume to class.
 Roll
 Workshop: Invention Worksheet
 Presentation on Video Resumes (TBD)
Monday, April 5
Due: Script
Post to CULearn and bring a copy to class.
(Last day to turn in Final Draft or Optional Revision of Assignment II.)
 Roll
 Workshop: Script
 Discussion: Emotion in Business Writing and Rhetoric
Wednesday, April 7
Due: Storyboard
Post to CULearn and bring a copy to class.
 Roll
 Workshop: Storyboard
 Style in Business Writing and Rhetoric
Monday, April 12
Read: “From Curse to Calling”
 Roll
 Discussion: Work as Calling
 Document Design
Wednesday, April 14
Due: Digital Profile Analyses and three workshop questions.
 No Class: Finish up your digital profiles!
Monday, April 19
Read: Your group’s analyses
Post answers to three questions online.
Due: First Draft of Digital Profile—bring a copy to class
 Roll
 Workshop: Digital Profiles and Analyses
Wednesday, April 21
 Roll
 Workshop: Digital Profiles and Analyses
Monday, April 26
 Roll
 Student Presentation
 Student Presentation
Wednesday, April 28
Due: Unit IV Portfolio
(Last day to turn in Final Draft or Optional Revision of Assignment III.)
 Roll
 Make-up Presentations (as needed)
No Final Exam
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