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ENC 3250.009
Professional Writing
Spring 2014
Monday & Wednesday 9:30-10:45
BSN 1200
Professor: Dr. C. Grogan
Office Location: CPR 358-H
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:30 and by
appointment
Office Phone: 813.974.9576
Email: cgrogan@mail.usf.edu (best way
to reach me)
Credit Hours: 3
Department: English
College: Arts and Sciences
Prerequisites: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 or Honors English
1. Course Description
This course introduces students to the principles, strategies, and techniques of effective written and oral
business communication. Emphasis is placed on reviewing grammar and mechanics as students create
successfully-written messages including emails, letters, cover letters, and résumé. Students learn
productive techniques for interviews, as well as communicating professionally in an increasingly global
workplace.
Note: This course is a part of the University of South Florida’s Foundations of Knowledge and Learning
Core Curriculum. It is certified as a Gordon Rule 6A Communication Course fulfilling the following
dimensions: Critical Thinking, Inquiry-based Learning, and Written Language Competency. This course
also meets the writing requirements of a Gordon Rule 6A Communications course; students will write at
least 4,500 words. At least one assignment will include a revision. Students enrolled in this course will be
asked to participate in the USF General Education Assessment effort. This might involve submitting
copies of writing assignments for review, responding to surveys, or participating in other measurements
designed to assess the FKL Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes.
To satisfy the Gordon Rule, students must earn a letter grade of “C-” or better in the course. The S/U
option is not available for this course. A grade of “I” will be awarded only in the case of a medical or
family emergency and, in conjunction with University policy, “only when a small portion of the student’s
work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade.”
2. Course Objectives
 To produce clear, concise, effective audience- and purpose-specific business rhetoric
 To demonstrate mastery of standard grammar and writing mechanics
 To employ appropriate formats in writing email messages, memos, business letters, résumé, and
cover letters
 To understand and employ nonverbal skills to advance your career
 To gain a competitive edge with professionalism and business etiquette skills
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3. Required Texts
 Guffey, Mary Ellen, and Dana Loewy. Essentials of Business Communication, 9th ed (PRINT
only but it may be cheaper to buy the bundle)
4. Course Policies
 Attendance: You are expected to come to class prepared. You must have read the chapter and
completed the assignment for the day. You will be called on in class. As in the workplace, you
must attend and be on time. Because of the interactive nature of this course, absences will
seriously affect your final grade. You are allowed to miss two classes without being penalized.
You can use these absences for family emergencies, oversleeping, doctor’s appointments, car
problems, pet problems, work issues, and alien encounters. Every unexcused absence thereafter
will lower your Preparation grade 10 points. Each excused absence must be supported by
documentation (such as a doctor’s note, a police report, or some proof of funeral attendance)
within a week of the absence. “Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class
due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the
instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting” (January 8th). I reserve the right to count you
as absent if your behavior indicates an intellectual absence (that is, if you read the newspaper,
play with your phone or laptop, etc.). Ten or more absences will result in automatic failure
from the course. Do not be late. Tardies lower your Preparation grade by 5 points. Same applies
for leaving class early. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to check with me that class
period to ensure the absence is changed to a tardy.
 Technology: Use of cell phones, iPods, and laptops is prohibited during class—this includes textmessaging. Students are required to use Canvas for course assignments and grading information.
In addition, students are required to check USF email on a regular basis. You must print your
assignments.
 Plagiarism: The penalty for plagiarism will be automatic failure in the course, and a notification
of the circumstances will be sent to the Dean of Students with a letter of intention to assign an F
or FF. See me if you are in doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism. “The University of South
Florida has an account with an automated plagiarism detection service which allows instructors to
submit student assignments to be checked for plagiarism. I reserve the right to submit
assignments to this detection system. Assignments are compared automatically with a huge
database of journal articles, web articles, and previously submitted papers. The instructor receives
a report showing exactly how a student’s paper was plagiarized.” See
http://www.usg.usf.edu/pdf/cat1213/Final_Catalog.pdf for USF Undergraduate Catalogue’s
definitions and policy, and consult with me if you are uncertain.
 SDS: “Students in need of academic accommodations for a disability may consult with the office
of Students with Disabilities Services to arrange appropriate accommodations. Students are
required to give reasonable notice prior to requesting an accommodation. Contact SDS at
974.4309 or www.sds.usf.edu.”
 Due Dates: Assignments are due during the class period in which they are scheduled to be due.
Exams, quizzes, in-class work, and presentations cannot be made up. Papers must be printed and
stapled. I will deduct 5 points for unstapled papers. Late papers (without proper documentation)
will result in a 0. In addition to submitting hard copies, you may be required to submit
assignments electronically.
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 Professionalism: I expect you to be professional at all times. Respect others’ opinions, especially
when they differ from your own.
 Notes: Recording of class lecture or discussion on any media is prohibited without my written
permission. Students are not permitted to sell notes or tapes of class lectures.
5. Graded Assignments
Group Work (Editing Challenges)
Assignment 1: Email Assignment (Chapter 5—page 131) ~250 words
Assignment 2: Positive Letter (Chapter 6—6.6, 6.15, or 6.19) ~250 words
Assignment 3: Negative Letter (Chapter 7—Video Resources exercise) ~250 words
Assignment 4: Persuasive Letter (Chapter 8—8.6) ~250 words
Assignment 5: Cover Letter and Résumé ~750 words
Mock Interview
Unit Test 1 (Chapters 1-4)
Unit Test 2 (Chapters 5-9)
Assignment 6: Revised Cover Letter and Résumé ~750 words
Homework (random checks) ~2000 words
Preparation
A+ (97-100) 4.00
B+ (87-89) 3.33
C+ (77-79) 2.33
D+ (67-69) 1.33
A (93-96) 4.00
B (83-86) 3.00
C (73-76) 2.00
D (63-66) 1.00
A- (90-92) 3.67
B- (80-82) 2.67
C- (70-72) 1.67
D- (60-62) 0.67
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
6. Tentative Schedule
All readings should be done before the relevant class period. I reserve the right to give quizzes if students
do not appear to be reading.
Week 1
Jan 6 Syllabus, Introductions, In-class Writing (persuasive letter)
Jan 8 Group Work: Editing Challenge 1 (page 30)
Week 2
Jan 13 Chapter 1 and Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Jan 15 Grammar/Mechanics Diagnostic Pretest
Week 3
Jan 20 No School
Jan 22 Grammar/Mechanics Review
Week 4
Jan 27 Grammar/Mechanics Review
Jan 29 Chapter 2 and Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 5
Feb 3 Chapter 3 and Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Feb 5 Chapter 4 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 6
Feb 10 Unit Test 1
Feb 12 Group Work: Editing Challenge 4 (page 102)
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Week 7
Feb 17 Chapter 5
Feb 19 Chapter 5 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 8
Feb 24 Chapter 6; Assignment 1 Due
Feb 26 Chapter 6 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 9
Mar 3 Chapter 7; Assignment 2 Due
Mar 5 Chapter 7 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 10
Mar 10 No School
Mar 12 No School
Week 11
Mar 17 Chapter 8; Assignment 3 Due
Mar 19 Chapter 8 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 12
Mar 24 Chapter 9; Assignment 4 Due
Mar 26 Chapter 9 Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Week 13
Mar 31 Unit Test 2
Apr 2 Chapter 13 and Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15;
Assignment 5 Due
Week 14
Apr 7 Chapter 14 and Homework—Chapter Review #6-15; Grammar/Mechanics Checkup #1-15
Apr 9 Chapter 14; Assignment 5 Due
Week 15
Apr 14 Mock Interviews
Apr 16 Mock Interviews
Week 16
Apr 21 Mock Interviews
Apr 23 Mock Interviews
Apr 25 Assignment 6 Due (by 4 pm in my office)