ENGL501: Writing For Careers
Instructor: Dr. Brian Gastle
bgastle@wcu.edu
Office: Coulter 417
Office Hours: T/W 1:00 – 2:00
Office Phone:x3928
http://paws.wcu.edu/bgastle/401
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Catalogue Description: Theory and application of rhetoric in professional communication; emphasis on triad of author,
subject, and audience. Practical assignments: memos, letters, resumes, reports, and persuasive messages.
This course examines the role of written communication in group/organizational effectiveness, especially within
professional environments. It prepares you for the writing tasks (genres, documents, and situations) most common to most
careers. The course will be based on practice; all assignments are part of a corporate simulation and will be evaluated as if
they were presented in “the real world.”
As a graduate class, it will require you to develop an advanced facility with the practical writing performed in your chosen
discipline. While you will be required to learn some rhetorical theory surrounding such practice, the focus will be on
writing practices in your field. Since the class is cross-listed with and undergraduate section, you will do some of the same
work as the undergraduates, some different work, and some of the same work with more substantial/graduate-level
requirements. You will also be required to set an example as professionals in your field.
Learning Outcomes:
Writing for Careers will prepare students to write within virtually any career they pursue. Students will learn how to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify and compile examples of genres specific to your field of study
Analyze the basic rhetorical components of documents typical in your field of study
Create a wide variety of document genres (memos, letters, reports, resumes, etc.) that relate to your field
Write in a professional manner, using
a. Plain, clear, and concise language
b. Mechanically accurate language
c. Rhetorically appropriate language
Understand the process of composing professional communications both individually and as part of an
organization
Apply research in your field to construct discipline specific documents
REQUIRED TEXT
Bovée, Courtland L., and John V. Thill. Business Communication Today. 8th ed. Prentice Hall, 2005.
ASSIGNMENTS
Class assigned memos/letters 20%
Analysis of discipline specific documents 20%
Resume/Cover letter 10%
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Proposal 10%
Progress report 10%
Final report 20%
Presentation 5%
Class Grade 5%
Class Grade includes quizzes, class discussion, various in-class assignments, and your assigned “minutes.”
Late assignments, except under extreme circumstances, are not accepted. All assignments, unless otherwise stated,
must be typed/word processed
It Counts: This is a writing class; grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes will be penalized greatly.
I do not accept rewrites of assignments. You will have the opportunity for peer editing and revision on most
assignments. I would be happy to meet with you either during my office hours or during a scheduled appointment.
Once you turn in your assignment, it should be a complete and polished product.
E-Mail: You will be required to check your e-mail regularly for course material discussions, schedule changes, and
class issues.
ATTENDENCE
Like jobs in the “real world,” regular attendance is mandatory for you to benefit from this course and for others to benefit
from your knowledge and participation.
 For each absence after your second (excused or unexcused) your final grade may be dropped a full letter.
 I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences; either way, you have missed required class
material. Lateness is disruptive; repeated tardiness may be considered as an absence.
ACADEMIC INTEGRETY
All work submitted must be your own. Please review WCU policy regarding Plagiarism and the Academic Honesty Policy
in the student handbook. If I find a student cheating, fabricating, or plagiarizing another’s work from any source (print,
media, internet, etc.), that student will receive an “F” for the class, the transgression will be recorded in his or her WCU
record, and I will, to the utmost of my ability, urge the administration to expel that student from WCU.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented
disabilities. Students who require disability services or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a
disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability Services. All information is confidential. Please
contact Kimberly Marcus for more information. Phone: (828) 227-7234; E-mail:kmarcus@email.wcu.edu.
CLASS ETIQUETTE
In-Class, you should be paying attention to lecture, class discussion, examples, and/or assignments. Anyone found
“surfing” or checking email during class work or lecture will be asked to leave and will be assigned an absence for the day.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Date
T 1/9
R 1/11
T 1/16
R 1/18
T 1/23
Topic
Introduction to Writing for Careers
Introduction to Class, the Computer
Lab, and “minutes”
Sweat the Little Stuff – Writing
Correctly
Read
The Big Picture: The Organizational
Communication Setting Message
Types and Organizational Patterns
Organizational Patterns, Message
Types, and Styles
Case Sensitive Writing
Format and Layout
Chapter 1: Achieving Success through
Effective Business Communications
Due
Review Handbook of Grammar,
Mechanics, and Usage (especially
Subject, Verb Object, Active/Passive
Voice, Prepositions, and Clauses)
Chapter 5: Writing Business
Messages.
DUE: Mechanics Homework
Quiz on Readings and
Writing issues
Quiz on Readings and
Writing issues
Appendix I: Format and Layout of
Business Documents
Chapter 7: Writing Routine Messages
Due: Style Revision
Homework
Due: Memo/Letter
Assignment
Due: 3 Samples from the
field
R1/25
Routine & Non-Invasive Messages Information Conveying Messages,
Routine Orders, and Good News
T 1/30
Bad News Messages
Chapter 8: Writing Negative Messages
R 2/1
Persuasive Messages
Chapter 9: Writing Persuasive
Messages
T 2/6
R 2/8
In-Class work on Memos/Letters
Peer Edit of Memo/Letters
T 2/13
Job Search Materials
Finding Jobs
R 2/15
Application Materials: Resume
T 2/20
Application Materials: Cover Letter
R 2/22
Peer Edit of Cover Letters and
Resumes
Due: memo/letters and
analysis of
Register with Career Services and
Explore their Web Site:
http://careers.wcu.edu
Chapter 17: Building Careers and
Writing Résumés
Due: Final version of
memo/letters with drafts and
peer review comments
Due: Copy of a job ad
Example of Resume in Field
Chapter 18: Applying and
Interviewing for Employment
Due: Draft of CL and
Resume with Ad
T 2/27
Reporting As Ordered
Introduction to Report Projects Proposals (Report Writing)
R3/1
Report Topic Conferences
Chapter 12: Planning Reports and
Proposals
Sign Up For Group Office Visit (15-20
Minutes)
No Class
T 3/6
R 3/8
Spring Break
Spring Break
No Class
No Class
T 3/13
Creating Graphics for Professional
Writing
Researching and Documenting
Professionally
Chapter 11: Communicating
Information Through Visuals.
Chapter 10: Finding, Evaluating, and
Processing Information.
T 3/20
R 3/22
Progress Reports - Format and Layout
Progress Reports - Problems and
Examples
Read Online Examples
T 3/27
R 3/29
Literary Festival Week
One of these days (tba) will be
cancelled to allow you to attend a Lit
Festival Event. The other day will be
devoted to Oral Presentation Strategies
and Using PowerPoint
Chapter 15. Planning, Writing, and
Completing Oral Presentations.
Chapter 16. Enhancing Presentations
with Slides and Transparencies.
T 4/3
Progress Reports - Problems and
Examples
Easter Break
Read Online Examples of Progress
Reports
No Class
T 4/10
R 4/12
In-Class work on Reports
Preparation and Layout of the Formal
Report
Chapter 14. Completing Reports and
Proposals.
T 4/17
T 4/24
Formal Reports Problems and
Examples
In-Class work on reports
Presentations and Final
Final Report Presentations
R 4/26
Final Report Presentations
M 4/30
Final Exam
R 3/15
R 4/5
R 4/19
Due: CL and Resume with
Ad and peer comments
Due: Analysis of disciplinespecific documents
Due: Proposals
Due: Progress Reports
Read Online Examples of Formal
Reports
Due: Final Report and
Presentation
Due: Final Report and
Presentation
12:00-2:30