GSBA 523T: Communication for Accounting and Tax
Professionals (Business Writing) (Section 15701)
Syllabus
Professor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Office Phone:
Helen H. Choi
ACC 228
Tuesdays 1:30-3:00
(213) 740-0627
E-Mail:
Lecture:
helen.choi@marshall.usc.edu
JKP 102, T/Th 11:00 am – 12:20 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
GSBA 523T (Business Writing) offers instruction in communications for various audiences on accounting
and business-related topics.
This course is designed not only to help you write effectively in a business environment, but also to
improve your ability to analyze complex ideas, develop effective argumentation skills, and write clearly,
grammatically and effectively. With an emphasis on practical workplace writing such as emails, memos,
client letters, and reports, the coursework is designed to increase your capacity to analyze audiences and
tailor content and style to communicate with confidence.
This class explores specific business writing and presentation techniques and strategies through in-class
lectures, in-class writing exercises, peer reviews, individual writing, and group work. The topics covered
range from word-, sentence-, and paragraph-level issues of correctness, conciseness, coherence, and
clarity to more global considerations of critical thinking.
Throughout the semester, emphasis is placed on developing systematic ways of identifying relevant from
non-essential information and then effectively and appropriately communicating your message to a wide
variety of audiences in a professional communication medium. You will learn to regard effective business
writing in terms of a series of strategic choices. You will improve your editing and critiquing skills, so that
you can distinguish effective from ineffective writing and help not just yourself but also your colleagues to
become stronger communicators in the workplace.
The course content is practical today and long into the future. You will begin using or improving many
writing skills immediately—not just following graduation or in a future career position. Bear in mind,
however, that while an instructor can teach you a lot of what you need to know to be a successful
writer, no one can make you learn, practice, modify, polish, or strengthen your skills. That part of the
course is up to you.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course focuses on improving your understanding of the basic principles of good writing and how you
may use these principles to write effectively in a wide variety of business-related contexts.
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
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Specifically, the learning objectives for this course are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Recognize and implement the qualities associated with effective business writing,
particularly the hallmarks of ‘Plain English’ and its “4Cs”: conciseness, coherence, clarity, and
correctness by planning, outlining and revising a variety of business documents.
Identify and evaluate diverse communication goals of different audiences (especially,
international audiences) and make effective choices about the tone, style, and form the
communication should take by recognizing and discussing how to tailor communication to
specific audiences.
Plan, create, and complete a variety of business documents—including, for example,
memos, letters, emails, and reports—using appropriate headings, layout, and typography by
applying rules of document purpose and design.
Conduct tax and business research using a broad range of sources by applying secondary
and primary methods of research such as utilizing databases, open sources, practicing key
word searches, and conducting interviews.
Synthesize and evaluate the quality of collected information by critically analyzing the value,
credibility, and applicability of sources.
Support written claims with logical and persuasive reasoning, and critique the reasoning in
the writing of others by applying critical thinking guidelines of Western traditions of thought.
Understand the importance of business ethics and its implications for business and business
communication by discussing moral decision-making and approaches to ethics, such as
utilitarianism, and how they translate into business contexts.
Collaborate productively with others by completing writing and editing tasks.
Express your ideas and conduct yourself in a professional manner by creating written
communication that considers all objectives above.
TECHNOLOGY
We will use the Blackboard course management system for posting assignments, grades, threaded
discussions. All materials posted on Blackboard are exclusively for your use only and you are prohibited
from distributing them to anyone else.
Your papers and presentations may be used for this class and for later class work and publications. Your
classroom activities may be videotaped and podcast.
Email: You can forward the university email to your other accounts, but be sure that you check for email
using your USC address before every class. When you email me, type “GSBA 523T” and the specific topic
on the subject line. Your email may not be read if it is not filtered into the appropriate class mail section,
or if it’s automatically sent to my spam file because of an unfamiliar email name or subject line. When
emailing me, please use this opportunity to practice polite, clear, and concise business writing. I will be
considering all your communication with me when determining your professionalism grade.
TEXTS
Required:
 Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants. 9th ed. (2012) by Claire B. May and Gordon S.
May
 Regular access to the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial
Times, Business Week, The Economist, TV, Radio, Internet, etc.
 Supplemental Readings to accompany each major paper will be posted to Blackboard.
 An up-to-date, college-level dictionary
Optional (for those who would like some review of grammar):
Writing Clearly: Grammar for Editing. 3rd ed. (2012) by Janet Lane and Ellen Lange
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
3
Other requirements
 Standard word-processing software (Microsoft Word)
 Access to a laser printer or equivalent
 A working e-mail account that you check regularly
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Your final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Percent of
Course Grade
Points
Professional Memo #1
10
100
Client Letter
10
100
Professional Memo #2
20
200
Journals (10 entries-10 points each)
10
100
In-Class writing assignments (3)
10
100
Final Exam
10
100
Collaborative Writing Project
(oral presentation [50] and report [100])
15
150
15
100%
150
1,000
Professionalism (Attitude/Conduct, Attendance, Participation)
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION POLICY
Assignments must be turned in on the due date/time electronically via Blackboard/TurnItIn. Any
assignment turned in late, even if by only a few seconds or minutes, will receive a grade deduction of 10%.
After the due date, the grade on the assignment will be deducted by an additional 10% for each day
that it is late. Later than one week (seven days) after the due date, however, the grade on any
assignment will be 0 (zero) points. Late or not, however, you MUST complete ALL assignments to pass
this course. If your internet or laptop or computer breaks down on the due date, you must deliver a hard
copy at the beginning of class on that day. If you are unable to attend class on that day, make
arrangements for the work to be delivered to the classroom or to my mailbox by the start of class.
NOTE: An important part of this course is a series of writing workshops (“peer review”), in which students
critique each others’ drafts of major assignments. You are expected to have a polished (not a rough) draft
of the required assignment completed for every workshop. A polished draft includes all aspects of the
assignment components – including page parameters and a list of references. Submitting a polished draft
that does not meet all aspects of the assignment components will result in an automatic 10% grade
penalty for that assignment. Failing to contribute your polished draft on time (the beginning of class time
on day of peer review) will cost you an automatic 10% grade penalty for that assignment. The peer review
also includes a Q&A, where you may ask me specific questions about your paper; you can also visit me in
my office. However, I will not read your drafts. Please do not send me your drafts and ask me for
comments. I am happy to discuss your work with you during office hours.
DOCUMENT FORMAT
Business documents, memos, letters, and reports: See May and May text for specific document’s
requirements.
Type format: 12 point, New Times Roman font, one-inch margins, pages 2-x numbered.
References/Works Cited page and in-text citations should adhere to MLA standards. I will further specify
specific format requirements for each assignment.
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
4
Selected Electronic Resources:
You must have your UNIX, not your Marshall, password to access Blackboard.
http://www.mla.org/
http://www.ethicsandbusiness.org/links/
http://www.ldoceonline.com/
http://www.dailygrammar.com/
EVALUATION OF YOUR WORK
You may regard each of your submissions as an “exam” in which you apply what you’ve learned according
to the assignment. I will do my best to make my expectations for the various assignments clear and to
evaluate them as fairly and objectively as I can.
Your grade reflects your performance, professional writing and contributions to the learning
environment. The grade may not represent all of your efforts in the class, but rather, it is determined by
the USC rubric for evaluating work in GSBA 523T and is assessed in comparison to your peers’ writing. As
a rule, more effort generally results in better writing and more successful collaborations, but at the end of
the day, it’s the work product that will be evaluated.
Retention of Graded Papers – Returned paperwork, unclaimed by a student, may be discarded four weeks
after grades are available on your official USC transcript/grade report.
ONE-ON-ONE WRITING CONFERENCES
We will meet, one-on-one, at least once during the semester. Usually these meetings take place during
my office hours or during designated class time. These sessions will offer you an opportunity to discuss
specific difficulties you may have in the writing process; they are not intended to be discussions about
your grades. Be certain to bring along your last graded assignment so we have something to work with.
Also pay close attention to any special requirements for each conference that I might mention in class.
Failure to attend a scheduled conference, or showing up late to one, counts the same as an absence or
lateness in a regular class session (see below).
PROFESSIONALISM: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Attendance and punctuality. You are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions, to arrive on time
and participate actively. If you are unable to attend class, I expect you to e-mail me in advance to let
me know about the situation—just as you would inform your employer if you were unable to come to
work. Only absences documented by a doctor’s note or some other form of written verification from
the appropriate authority will be excused. Absences due to job interviews and other career-related
reasons will be not excused. I do not provide “make-up” opportunities for missed course work. Class
attendance counts for 1/3 of your professionalism score.
Participation and classroom demeanor. Part of your grade is based on your participation. This means you
are expected to be an active contributor to the class, not a passive listener. Volunteer answers to the
questions I ask; ask questions yourself; request clarification if something isn’t clear; challenge me if you
disagree with something I’ve presented; contribute useful and relevant comments. Your active
participation can help determine whether our class atmosphere will be dull and pedantic or energetic and
engaging. Failure to participate actively in class and to be a valuable and engaged member of the class
will negatively affect your professionalism score. Proactive participation counts for 1/3 of your
professionalism score.
Professional Conduct.
 While you are in class you are expected to conduct yourself professionally. This includes being
focused exclusively on GSBA 523T, not on extraneous matters, such as reading the newspaper,
eating lunch, or checking your e-devices. It also includes treating everyone else in the class with
the same respect and consideration you want to receive from them. Please be advised that your
classmates may also be asked to assess your professionalism.
 If you are found to be in violation of any of the academic integrity violations (such as plagiarism)
noted below, you will receive an automatic zero for this portion of the professionalism score – in
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page

addition to grade sanctions such as an F for the assignment or in accordance with the conduct
guidelines set forth below, an F for the course.
Professional conduct counts for 1/3 of your professionalism score.
Please note two important aspects of classroom management:


TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES—unless I ask you to use them.
Straighten up your area before you leave, so that the next class finds a clean and pleasant
learning environment.
Preparation. You are expected to come to class fully prepared, with all required written assignments and
reading completed. This includes being fully prepared even if you were unable to attend a previous class
meeting.
Other requirements:
 A laptop or desktop with high-speed internet access
 Standard word-processing software (Microsoft Word)
 Access to a laser printer or equivalent
 A working USC e-mail account that you check daily
SOME OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
Academic Conduct
Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own
words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself
with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University
Standards https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-andappropriate-sanctions/. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See
additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct,
http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/.
All work submitted in this course must be your own and produced exclusively for this course.
The use of sources (ideas, quotations, paraphrases) must be properly acknowledged and
documented. For the consequences of academic dishonesty, refer to the SCampus. Violations
will be taken seriously and may result in an "F" for the course, suspension, and or expulsion. If
you are in doubt regarding the requirements, please consult with the instructor before you
complete any requirement of the course.
Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are
encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or
to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-publicsafety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety whole USC community. Another
member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member –
can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for
Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support,
and the sexual assault resource center webpage sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and
other resources.
Support Systems
A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing.
Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is
not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which
sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of
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GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
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Disability Services and Programs
http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html provides
certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an
officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information
http://emergency.usc.edu/will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which
instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.
REVISED as of 8/29/14
COURSE OVERVIEW (subject to change)
FALL 2014
GSBA 523T: Communication for Accounting and Tax Professionals
Prof. Helen H. Choi
Text: Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants, 9th ed. (2012)
by Claire B. May and Gordon S. May
Class Activities
Week 1
8/26
8/28




Week 2
9/2
9/4
Week 3
9/9
9/11





Intro to course, texts, syllabus,
expectations
Complete student information
sheet
Diagnostic assessment
Debrief and discuss Diagnostic
Please bring text to every class session.
Accountants as
Communicators (Ch. 1),
Writing Process (Ch. 2)
Begin Correctness
WRITING FOCUS
CORRECT
Memos and Emails
Distribute Memo #1
Assignment
Read by 9/2: Taylor article, Chapters 1 and 2
9/5: Week 2 Journal due on BB by Noon
Read by 9/16: Chapter 4
DUE 9/18: Polished Draft of Memo #1 due in
class for Peer Review
9/19: Week 4 Journal due on BB by Noon
Read by 9/23: Chapter 6
DUE 9/25: 5 pm on BB: Memo #1
9/26: Week 5 Journal due on BB by Noon
Read by 9/30: Chapter 3
[9/30: Guest lecturer by Crocker Librarianplease bring laptops]
10/2: In class writing exercise-please bring
laptops
10/3: Week 6 Journal due on BB by Noon
Read by 10/7: Chapters 8-9
DUE 10/9: Polished Draft of Client Letter
due in class for Peer Review
10/10: Week 7 Journal due on BB by Noon
Week 4
9/16
9/18

WRITING FOCUS:
CONCISION
Week 5
9/23
9/25

Week 6
9/30
10/2

WRITING FOCUS:
CLARITY (writing and
format)
WRITING FOCUS:
COHERENCE
Distribute Client Letter
Assignment
Week 7
10/7
10/9


Tasks, Readings, Due Dates
Business documents: Letters
Read by 9/9: Chapters 5 and 10
9/11: In class writing exercise-please bring
laptops
9/12: Week 3 Journal due on BB by Noon
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
Week 8
10/14
10/16
Week 9
10/21
10/23





CRITICAL THINKING
Ethics
Distribute Memo #2
Assignment
Sign up for conferences
One on one writing
conferences.
Class Activities
Week 10
10/28
10/30


Writing for Exams
Writing for Employment
Week 11
11/4
11/6


Written Reports
Collaborative Writing Project
distributed
Week 12
11/11
11/13

Oral Presentations
Week 13
11/18
11/20

Meet with groups and
professor during class time to
work on CWP
Sign up for 12/2 or 12/4 to
present to class. 4 groups on
12/2 and 3 groups on 12/4.
Semester wrap-up
No class on 11/27
(Thanksgiving)

Week 14
11/25


Week 15
12/2
12/4


7
Read by 10/14: Chapter 7
Please note that 10/16 class will be in the JKPELC.
DUE 10/16: 5 pm on BB: Client Letter
10/17: Week 8 Journal due on BB by Noon
In lieu of class, you must attend a one-on-one
writing conference with the professor this
week. Be prepared to discuss Memo #2.
10/24: Week 9 Journal due on BB by Noon.
Tasks, Readings, Due Dates
Read by 10/28: Chapters 12 and 13
DUE 10/30: Polished Draft of Memo #2 Due
for Peer Review
10/31: Week 10 Journal due on BB by Noon.
Read by 11/4: Chapter 11
DUE 11/6: 5pm on Blackboard: Memo #2
11/7: LAST: Week 11 Journal due on BB by
Noon.
Read by 11/11: Chapter 15
11/13: remote writing assignment due to USC
v. Cal (writing for employment topic)
DUE 11/20: CWP WRITTEN REPORT
DUE by 5pm via Blackboard
12/2: In-class CWP
presentations
12/4: In-class CWP
presentations
FINAL EXAM: Saturday December 6, 2014 (time and location TBA)
2 hours, 100 Points (part of the in-class writing assignment score)
GSBA 523T Syllabus, Page
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GRADING RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENTS
Exceptional
Above
Expectations
CONTENT (30%)
clear purpose and
thesis, addresses
issue, appropriate to
audience
Purpose is
extremely clear,
content is highly
relevant. Content
is cohesive and
effective in
addressing the
assignment.
Purpose is
recognizable, but
should be clearer.
Content is often
but not
consistently
relevant.
Content is not
relevant, or not
consistently
developed. Lacks
sufficient detail to
be convincing.
SUPPORT,
PERSUASION
(20%)
Examples &
evidence support
persuasion; audience
will readily "buy"
your ideas.
Consistently welldeveloped and
analyzed. Solid
and specific
supporting
evidence,
examples. Your
audiences will be
convinced, great
job in terms of
persuasion.
Audience gets
purpose/idea right
away.
Organization
supports overall
effectiveness of
the content.
Highly cohesive
and strong flow.
Excellent in
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling, sentence
structure; no
errors. Word
choice, language
and tone are
excellent, vivid,
precise.
Purpose generally
clear. Content is
generally
relevant, supports
thesis with minor
deviations.
Supportive
evidence,
examples are
generally specific,
sufficient.
Need to make a
few more logical
connections and
provide more
specific support
for positions.
Supports bottom
line/thesis to a
limited extent.
Need to think
through
evidence/examples
again and tie them
to your analysis.
Arguments are
erroneous, or not
relevant.
Audience is
wondering what
the point is.
Audience will
most likely get the
idea. Might need
to be more clear /
direct.
Organization is
good, some
reordering of
content needed.
Very good—with
few lapses in
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling, sentence
structure. The few
errors do not
impede
readability. Word
choice, language
and tone are used
appropriately.
Consistent in
format with a few
deviations that
hinder clarity
somewhat.
Organization not
always effective
and hinders the
presentation of the
purpose of the
assignment.
Audience is
confused.
Purpose/thesis
lacks focus and/or
clarity.
Satisfactory but
occasionally
uneven grammar,
punctuation,
spelling, sentence
structure; Errors
impede readability.
Need to work on
tone & style.
Poor grammar,
punctuation,
spelling, sentence
structure; vague
word choice,
errors seriously
impede
readability.
Formatting not
always consistent
and inhibits
readability
Formatting is illconsidered and
does not fit
audience or the
assignment.
ORGANIZATION,
BOTTOM LINE UP
FRONT (20%)
Present main
point/purpose, clear
open, body and
close, logical and
cohesive flow
MECHANICS
(20%)
FORMAT/LAYOUT
(10%)
Excellent
formatting
choices; design
supports content.
At Expectations
Developing