Professional Business Writing – FALL 2015
Instructor:
Course:
Ms. Ceil Goldberg
ENGL 394, Section 0301
MWF 11:00-11:50;
Tawes Computer Lab 0223
Section 0401
MWF 12:00-12:50
Tawes Computer Lab 0223
Section 0501
MWF 1:00-1:50
Tawes Computer Lab 0223
Email:
cgoldber@umd.edu
Web site:
www.engl-pw.umd.edu
Phone Messages:
301-648-2248 (cell phone)
Office Hours:
Room # -1236 M & W: 2:00-3:00
Welcome to ENGL 394 Business Writing in the Professional Writing Program (PWP).
Did you know that working professionals often spend more than 50% of their time writing or
responding to someone else’s writing, and managers spend even more time writing---nearly
80%? To be successful in today’s working world, you must be able to convey your ideas in a
readable, informative, and persuasive style. Good writing gives your ideas visibility and
authority within an organization.
This course is intended to strengthen your skills as writing professionals and prepare you to step
into the workplace ready to plan, organize, research, write, and edit various documents. Because
business communication takes many forms, we will consider a variety of documents, including
resumes, cover and job application letters, good news and bad news memos, and proposals,
among others.
The Professional Learning Objectives of this course are designed to turn you into successful
writing professionals. As a result of this course, students will:
•
Analyze a variety of professional rhetorical situations and produce appropriate texts in
response, ,i.e. documents (letters, memos resumes, reports, emails).
•
Understand the stages required to produce competent, professional writing
through planning, drafting, revising, and editing.
• Gather research information in libraries, on the Internet, and through other print or media
sources; Identify and implement the appropriate research methods for each writing task.
•
Practice the ethical use of sources and the conventions of citation appropriate to
each genre.
•
Write for the intended readers of a text, and design or adapt texts to audiences who may
differ in their familiarity with the subject matter.
•
Demonstrate competence in Standard Written English, including grammar,
sentence and paragraph structure, coherence, and document and be able to use this
knowledge to revise texts.
• Construct valid and persuasive arguments appropriate to the audience and purpose of the
document, reflect the degree of available evidence, and take account of counter
arguments.
• Incorporate feedback from instructor and peers, and collaborate with peers in group work.
Text:
There will be a course pack. All assignments will be posted on ELMS. Course pack ONLY
AVAILABLE at BOOKHOLDERS, Baltimore Ave (RT 1). Not found on Campus
Bookstore.
Optional: Any academic handbook. Rosen, The Academic Writers Handbook; ISBN:
0321338316, is particularly valuable.
Assignments:
Please note that there is no final exam. As part of your professionalism grade, you are expected
to do all assigned reading and writing assignments.
You will complete eight* assignments during the semester. Your grade will be based upon a total
of 300 points. The major research project due at the end of the course may be done individually
or in groups up to three. The PWP specifically requests that each student produce at least six
assignments and a minimum of 25 pages of original writing. All assignments must be completed
to pass the course.
The assignments are as follows:
1. Self-Reflection Essays*
2. Office E-mail*
3. Bad News Memo or Good News Memo*
4. Problem Analysis*
5. Resume /Cover Letter /Prospecting Letter*
6. Group research proposal, business plan or marketing plan: 2 parts*
Part 1: Final Project Memo
Part 2: Final Paper
7. Oral Presentation*
8. Professionalism: participation, class attendance, class assignments
=
=
=
=
=
20
10
20
40
60
= 20
= 80
= 20
= 30
300 pts
All specific assignments will be accompanied by detailed instructions. These will be posted on
ELMS or found in your course pack. I must approve all research topics for the final project.
Topics may not be changed without my prior approval.
Note: Please make sure to keep either a paper or electronic copy of all your drafts,
revisions and completed assignments until the end of the semester when you receive your
grade. There are times when I might need to see the various drafts, and occasionally, a paper
gets displaced.
Grading:
Course grades will be determined by the total points accumulated out of 300. Each assignment
will receive a numerical score, which can be translated into a letter grade by dividing the number
of points earned by the total number of points for the assignment. For example, 18/20=90. Since
different skills will be emphasized in different assignments, you may find that you fare better on
some assignments than others. If you don’t do well in one assignment, you can bring up your
score in another.
Note: The course is designed to give more weight to the later assignments, i.e., final project
and oral presentation, which combined with class participation, equals 50% of the grade.
Although you may do well in the beginning, you must keep up your efforts all the way through
the course.
Final grades are not open to bartering or negotiation; they will not be changed unless there is
a mistake made in computation. The final grade is determined by a number of factors, including
accumulated points, your final project, class attendance, homework, peer review and class
participation.
FINAL PROJECTS and FOLDERS must be turned in NO LATER than 24 Hrs. AFTER the
Due date; otherwise the final project will automatically be downgraded to 50%. I cannot give
you a grade if you have not turned in your folder!
Grading Standards
Four broad evaluative criteria determine the grade students receive on their papers:
1. Purpose and Audience—the degree to which the writer conveys the paper’s purpose; the
degree to which the writer uses appropriate tone, style, and content for a clearly intended
audience.
2. Content—the use of effective evidence to support the main points of the paper.
3. Format—the overall structure of the paper, including the appropriate format for the
specific assignment.
4. Mechanics/Readability—skills such as style, mechanics, sentence and paragraph
coherence; the degree of ease with which the reader can understand the document.
Papers receiving A and B grades need to be virtually error-free. Check your work before
handing papers in; do not let careless mistakes and typographical errors ruin your overall effort.
The A Paper
 Clearly fulfills its purpose and accommodates itself well to the intended audience.
 Uses persuasive, detailed evidence. The reasoning is thoughtful and exhibits insight.
Citations are used appropriately and frequently when factual information is presented.
 Flows well. Paragraphs are well developed and logically follow those preceding them. The
conclusion makes sense. Headings are used appropriately throughout the document. The
paper is formatted appropriately.
 Writing is clear and structurally sound. It contains few or no mechanical errors. The
reader can easily understand and follow the writer’s points.
The B Paper
 Assignment has been followed and fulfilled but in a somewhat predictable way. A sense of
clear audience and purpose may be lacking throughout the paper.
 Reasoning is thoughtful but not complex. The paper may not contain enough details to
support its main point. Factual material may be cited but not all the time.
 Introduction and conclusion are clear. Although some of the paragraphs are well
developed, some may need more work. The format is basically sound but may contain
some errors or omissions. The paper contains some headings but not enough to help the
reader navigate through the document.
 Sentence structure is basically correct. Serious sentence errors are minimal, though some
may exist. The reader can fairly easily comprehend the writing but may have to struggle at
some points in the document.
The C Paper
 Assignment has been minimally followed, but purpose and/or audience may be unclear.
 Supporting evidence is weak; may lack some important factual information.
 Citations may be lacking or used inappropriately.
 Some organizational pattern may be present, but it may not be clear. Business format may
be lacking, including use of appropriate headings throughout.
 Sentence structure may be adequate at times but could be improved with effective use of
subordination, sentence variety, and modifiers. Some comma splices and fragments may be
present. The paper contains errors in spelling, mechanics, and/or grammar. Sentences and
paragraphs may be long and convoluted. The reader has to struggle to get meaning from
this paper.
The D Paper
 Sense of purpose and audience is limited or non-existent.
 Necessary evidence may be missing or out of order. Citations are not used or are used
inappropriately.
 Organization is not obvious. The introduction and conclusion may be unclear or missing.
Paragraphs may not be well developed; transitions may be missing. Correct business format
is not apparent, and appropriate headings are missing.
 Numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation may occur. Sentences and
paragraphs are long and cumbersome. The reader cannot grasp the meaning of this paper
easily or at all.
The F Paper
 Does not fulfill assignment.
 Contains little or no evidence.
 Exhibits little or no logical organization. Business formatting, including headings, is nonexistent.
 Contains many errors in grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation. The reader cannot
comprehend its meaning at all.
Revision Policy
You learn from revising your papers, especially when using the feedback of your peers or
professors. If I have specifically asked for a revision of a paper because of its poor quality, your
new grade can be no higher than a C. You also will need to schedule a teacher conference with
me before writing a revision. There will be no revisions for cover letters, resumes and final
projects.
Students receiving a grade of C or higher will not have an opportunity to revise their papers after
they have been submitted and returned. There will be an opportunity for extra credit at the end
of the semester by writing an additional assignment, most likely a memo. The additional memo
counts for 3 extra points and will be added into your total number of points divided by 300.
Sometimes, a paper will be marked WC, which means withhold credit. Usually such a paper is
filled with errors in organization, mechanics, sentence structure, etc., that makes it ungradeable;
it basically is an F. You will be allowed to rewrite it, but consider that your new grade can be no
higher than a C.
Remember: Revisions must incorporate the suggestions on improving the entire paper—its
organization, sentence structure, content and mechanics. If you hand in a revision that is
simply a copy of my corrections for spelling, grammar, or mechanics, you will not receive
credit.
394 ENGL Folders:
All your work (notes, memos, student examples, assignment sheets, drafts, and graded versions)
must be kept in a folder. At the end of the semester, your folder is turned in to me. Make a
complete copy for yourself. Final grades cannot be released unless the complete folder has been
submitted. You may retrieve your folder in the PWP office after final semester grades are
recorded and finalized. Folders left beyond the middle of the next semester will be destroyed.
Professionalism: Class Attendance/Participation/Peer Review/Homework
This course helps prepare you for a professional workplace. I expect you to treat the classroom
as a professional environment and your peers as professional colleagues. This translates to
arriving on time for class, being prepared for the day’s work as well as being actively engaged in
our professional writing class.
The absence of appropriate professional behavior will result in a decline in this part of
your grade. If your score falls between grades, your degree of professionalism in class may
determine the final grade.
All papers must be original; they cannot be recycled from another class, and peer edits and rough
drafts should accompany all papers (unless instructed otherwise)
Do not wait until the end of the semester to discuss concerns. Take advantage of regularly
scheduled office hours to discuss progress, problems, grades, or any other concerns.
The following categories are worth a combined total of 30 points. By deciding to skip class or
coming to class unprepared or without your assignments, it will affect your final professionalism
grade. For every missed assignment or unprepared class, two (2) points will be deducted
from your overall participation grade. This is a workshop class, which means that students
learn by doing and from each other. If you’re not there, you miss out.
Peer Review:
Peer review is particularly important in this workshop course. If I assign a peer review of any
assignment, take it seriously: follow the revision rules, mark up your peer’s paper and use
constructive criticism when writing feedback. At least three (3) out of seven assignments will be
peer-reviewed.
Class Attendance:
You are allowed three (3) absences during the fall session. Any further absences will lower your
overall class participation/attendance grade. For every day that you miss class beyond the
allowed absence, five (5) points will be deducted from the 30 points.
**Note: You are expected to be present for the scheduled library session and
for all end-of-the-semester oral presentations. If you are not in class for these
sessions, your overall class participation will be lowered from a possible high of 30 to 15.
Missing Class:
You are responsible for all assignments. Please do not e-mail me and ask me “What did I miss?”
It's a good idea to exchange phone numbers and e-mails with at least two of your classmates as it
is not my responsibility to provide you with missed information and assignment sheets.
Note: Absence from class does not excuse you from submitting work due that day. If an
assignment is due and you are not in class, put the material in the student basket in the PWP
office in Tawes. Obviously, illness (documentation must be provided by a medical doctor);
religious holidays and college functions (with documentation) will be taken into account.
Below are the policies on unexcused and excused absences, as well as tardiness. Please note that
missing more than two weeks’ worth of class for any reason may result in a
zero for the participation/professionalism portion of your grade and may
jeopardize your overall course grade. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find
out what you’ve missed.
Unexcused Absences. You may take up to one week’s worth of no-questions-asked absences per
semester for both the expected (i.e., being the best man in your brother’s wedding) and the
unexpected (i.e., a flat tire). If possible, especially regarding medical absences, I would
appreciate receiving an email prior to your absence letting me know what day(s) you will not be
there. When you return to class, you must present a self-signed note acknowledging that on your
honor, the information is true and correct.
If you take a no-questions-asked absence, however, you are still responsible for whatever
material was covered in class. If a major scheduled grading event (assignment due, in-class
workshop/peer review, presentation) is scheduled for that class period, and you don’t show
up and don’t have a university-sanctioned excuse (see below) then you will lose the points
for that activity.
Excused Absences. The University excuses absences for your own illness or the illness of an
immediate family member, for your participation in university activities at the request of
University authorities, for religious observance, and for compelling circumstance beyond your
control. Documentation is required for all excused absences. If you have an anticipated excused
absence, you must let me know in writing in advance.
Absence for one class due to your own illness: The University requires that you provide a selfsigned note attesting to the date of your illness, with an acknowledgment that the information
provided is true. Providing false information to University officials is prohibited and may result
in disciplinary action. The Health Center has an online form
(http://www.health.umd.edu/sites/default/files/Class%20Excuse110.pdf).
Absence from more than one class because of the same illness: You must provide written
documentation of the illness from the health care provider who made the diagnosis. No
diagnostic information shall be given. The provider must verify dates of treatment and indicate
the time frame during which you were unable to meet academic responsibilities.
Non-consecutive medically necessitated absences from more than a single class: Such
absences may be excused provided you submit written documentation for each absence as
described above, verifying the dates of treatment and time frame during which you were unable
to meet your academic responsibilities. However, as also noted above, if you miss too many
classes—even if excused—though you are technically eligible to make up the work, in practice
students are rarely able to do so.
Late Assignments:
Papers are due by the beginning of the class on dates marked. Grades for papers not turned in on
time are marked down by 10% for every day late, including weekends. I will not accept emailed
papers. Moreover, no papers will be accepted after I have returned graded papers to the class.
Exceptions will only be made in cases of emergency or illness upon receipt of documentation
from a doctor or an adviser, along with a memo detailing the reasons for your absence.
Late to class:
Tardiness is not acceptable, in the same way tardiness is not acceptable in a professional work
environment. You have a window of 5-10 minutes. If you are persistently late, it will affect your
participation grade. Two lates are equal to one absence. For those of you who have classes across
campus and need more time to arrive in class, please speak to me.
Cell phones/ Blackberry/Laptops
Please TURN OFF your cell phones/Blackberries, etc. NO TEXTING during class.
Food and Drink:
Don’t show up with either! Water only in a bottle or sealed cup
Technology Issues:
Please remember that technology can fail. Computer or printer problems are never an acceptable
excuse for late work. You know when your assignments are due and plan accordingly. Don’t
come to class with the intention of printing out your assignment in the
classroom.
Statement on Plagiarism:
"The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized
Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council.
This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all
undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible
for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important
for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication,
facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of
Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html."
Plagiarism means using the exact words, opinions, or factual information from another person
without giving the person credit. It also includes using or referring to somebody’s website,
magazine, book, newspaper, visual or graphic, song, movie, TV program, computer program,
letter, advertisement or any other medium.
Violations of the University’s honor code will result in an automatic F for the assignment and
referral to the Honor Council. Violations will result in an XF for the course and possible
expulsion from the University.
Submission Guidelines:
ALL PAPERS MUST BE TYPED. No handwritten papers.
 You can’t print in a computer lab classroom unless you have a Terrapin Express account.
Do not, under any circumstances, come to class with a request for free printing.
 All pages should be stapled together in correct order. I do not carry a stapler.
The Writing Center:
The Writing Center offers individual or small group sessions on all stages of writing, including
developing, focusing and organizing ideas, and revising and editing. It is best to make an
appointment rather than show up. Decide beforehand what you want to work on: Writing Center
tutors are not there to edit, rewrite or proof your paper
Accommodating Special Needs:
The University of Maryland is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for students
with disabilities. Students with a documented disability should inform the instructors within the
add-drop period if academic accommodations are needed. To obtain an Accommodation Letter
prepared by Disability Support Service (DSS), a division of the University Counseling Center,
please call 301-314-7682, e-mail dissup@umd.edu, or visit the Shoemaker Building for more
information.
Copyright notice: Class lectures and other materials are copyrighted and they may not be
reproduced for anything other than personal use without written permission from the instructor.
This syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified in advance of important changes
that could affect grading, assignments, etc.
Snow/Inclement Weather Policy: The assignments for this class will continue even if the
University closes for inclement weather. I’ll make every effort to stay on schedule; and we will
continue to interact with each other on ELMS.
Class Evaluations:
Course evaluations are a part of the process by which the University of Maryland seeks to
improve teaching and learning. Your participation in this official system is critical to the success
of the process, and all information submitted to CourseEvalUM is confidential. CourseEvalUM
is mobile-device friendly, thus you can complete it using laptops, smart phones, and tablets. To
do so, please go directly to the website (www.courseevalum.umd.edu) any time after the end of
classes for each semester
PWP also uses its own written evaluation that will be distributed during the last week of the
semester.
Academic Accommodations for Students Who May Experience Sexual Misconduct:
Taken from the Faculty Handbook:
The University of Maryland is committed to providing support and resources, including
academic accommodations, for students who experience sexual or relationship violence (as
defined by the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy). To report an incident and/or obtain an
academic accommodation, contact the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct at 301-4051142. If you wish to speak confidentially, contact Campus Advocates Respond and Educate
(CARE) to Stop Violence at 301-741-3555. Disclosures made to faculty are not confidential and
must be reported to the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct. For more information visit
www.umd.edu/Sexual_Misconduct/.
Diversity:
The University of Maryland values the diversity of its student body. Along with the University, I
am committed to providing a classroom atmosphere that encourages the equitable participation
of all students regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or
sexual orientation. Potential devaluation of students in the classroom that can occur by reference
to demeaning stereotypes of any group and/or overlooking the contributions of a particular group
to the topic under discussion is inappropriate. Refer to:
http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1541
***Schedule of Activity – Subject to Change***
Note: The following schedule is what is expected to be covered in class. However,
it can change depending upon the class or circumstances. It is not a blueprint for
the semester, but serves as a basic weekly overview.
Week 1 (Aug. 31-Sept. 4)
Mon.
Discussion of course, policies, goals
Fill out student information sheet
Homework: Write Reflective Writing
I about the class
Wed. & Fri.
Begin Audience Analysis &
Objectives
Adapting message to different
audiences
Assign TV commercial or song lyrics
Examples of how same info works
with diff audiences
Editorials
FIRST REFLECTIVE ESSAY
DUE
Week 2 (Sept. 7-11)
Mon.
Review E-mail format – head, text,
body, signature block & attachments
Informal vs. formal
Review draft email
Homework: Read first 15 pages
coursepack
Wed. & Fri.
In-class writing of another e-mail
Class review of selected e-mails
Discuss how to do peer review
Select a memo for review
Choose another memo topic and write
at home
Week 3 (Sept. 14-18)
Mon.
JEWISH HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Wed.
Assignment #1 – E-mail/Audience
Profile Due
memos: Key points& format
Review various memos
Start in-class writing of good or
informational memo.
Bring finished memo in hard copy to
next class
Fri.
Begin bad news memos; refusals,
rejections
Begin bad news memo in class
Homework: Finish bad news memo
and send draft of bad news memos to
two (2) peers for review.
Mark up peers’ papers. Bring to next
class.
Start research on Problem Analysis
topic; read examples of problem
analyses in course pack or online
Week 4 (Sept. 21-25)
Mon.
Peer review of bad news memos
From list of topics, choose one of the
memo ideas for graded assignment
Finish final memo at home
Wed
JEWISH HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Fri.
Assignment #2- Good or Bad
Memo/Audience Profile Due
Intro to Problem Analysis
Explore ways to write an hypothesis
Examine Examples
Homework: Read examples of
Problem Analyses in coursepack
Week 5 (Sept. 28 – Oct. 2)
Mon.
Begin discussion on problem analysis
Look at problem analysis topic and
Review ex in class
Wed.
Review sources and how to use them
Review Annotated Bibliography
Annotated bibliography must include
any five (5) sources
Out of the following:
*Book by corporate or organizational
author
*Book with an editor(s)
*Articles or chapters in book
*Document by government agency
*Popular magazine article-not
Internet
*Online article from Internet
periodical
* Abstract from Internet database
*Newspaper article
*Journal article
Fri.
Begin research.
Review Library Module 1
Homework: Begin draft of problem
analysis
Fri. TBD
Week 7 (Oct. 12-16)
Mon, Wed & Fri.
STUDENT CONFERENCES
Schedule 10 min session to review
problem analysis w/each student
Homework: *Compulsory! Over
weekend, send draft to one peer for
review. Mark up each set of
instructions. Bring to next class &
exchange
Week 8 (Oct. 19-23)
Mon.
Peer Review Problem Analysis in
Class
Start Final Project
Examples
Brainstorm ideas
Look at Examples
Wed.
Write in-class 2nd Self-Reflective
Memo
Work in groups, Review final
proposal memo; start research
Fri.
Assignment #3 – Problem Analysis
Due
Project Workshop Day –
Begin in-class writing of project’s
memo
Bring source material to class
Week 6 (Oct. 5-9)
Mon.
Review Library Module 2 &3
Wed.
LIBRARY VISIT – Must attend
McKeldin
Start draft
Homework: Find a job ad that you
would like to answer, i.e., either
online,
Washington Post, or any other source
and bring it to Monday’s class. Or
find a company or internship you’re
interested in and bring material to
class
Read: resumes, cover letters
examples in course pack
Week 9 (Oct. 26-Oct. 30)
Mon.
Resumes: What works, what doesn’t
Things not to include
Class discussion on samples
Homework: Bring your resume to
next class
Wed.
Resumes, continuation
Skills Inventory
Using the given format, begin draft of
resume and finish at home
Fri.
Bring hard copy of resume for peer
review
Read: Course Pack, pg.97-100
Week 10 (Nov. 2-6)
Assignment #4 –Final Proposal
Memo due
Mon.
Begin cover letters
What goes into cover letter
Examine samples
Homework: Write cover letter in
response to the ad
Wed.
Bring hard copy of cover letter to
class
Review content & organization of
solicited letters
Fri.
Peer review of solicited letters
Short meeting final project
Write problem statement & begin
background
Week 11 (Nov. 9-13)
Mon.
Begin writing a “query” letter to
company you’re interested in.
Homework: Write query letter
Send draft of query to two (2) peers
Mark up and review. Bring to next
class.
Wed
Peer review of query letter.
Fri..
Assignment #5– Resume, Cover Letter
&Unsolicited Letter Due
Final Project – Bring in draft of Problem
Statement & Background
Homework: Group exchange and draft
of next 3 sections
Week 12 (Nov. 16-20)
Mon
Review common mistakes
Paraphrasing & Plagiarism
Do student examples
Wed.
Bring research materials to class.
Bring in draft of next 3 sections of final
project.
Peer review
Fri.
Describe Transmittal Letter
Write in-class
Peer review of transmittal letter
Week 13 (Nov. 23)
Mon.- Making Oral Presentations
Planning a strategy
Choosing information
Delivering effective presentation
Wed. & Fri. THANKSGIVING
Week 14 (Nov. 30-Dec.4)
Mon.
Work on Oral Presentations
Wed.
Write 3rd Self-Reflection in Class
Fri.
Extra Credit Memo
Week 15 (Dec. 7-11)
Mon, Wed. & Fri.
Assignment #6 Oral Presentations
Week 16 (Dec. 14)
Last Class
Final Papers
Collection of Folders