WRITING FOR BUSINESS
15 ENGL 491 002
Autumn Quarter 2009
Adjunct Instructor: Holly McEntyre, MA, JD (ph 513.293.8423; email mcentyhl@mail.uc.edu)
Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sep. 24-Dec. 3, 11:00AM-12:15PM, 254 McMicken
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30AM-10:30AM and by appointment, 009 McMicken
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Whether you end up working at a small nonprofit, in a large multi-national corporation, or for
your own business, you will need effective communication skills. Therefore, this course will
focus on business communication as a set of problem-solving techniques that are useful in any
business (or non-business) environment. After completing this course, you will better understand
workplace dynamics, workplace ethics, communicating inside (and outside) the workplace, and
especially how to tailor written and other communications to your intended audience.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Regular attendance and participation are essential to your successful performance in this course.
Failure to attend class and make up for absences will result in a lower grade.
Grades will be based upon:
Discussion/Feedback/Participation & Classwork/Homework/Quiz Folder
Assignment #1—Resumé & Cover Letter (Includes appointment with CDC)
Assignment #2—Informational Message (E-mail)
Assignment #3—Persuasive Message & Report (Team Exercise)
Assignment #4—Neutral Message (Office Memorandum)
Assignment #5—Bad-News Message (Business Letter)
15%
20%
10%
25%
15%
15%
REQUIRED READINGS
There is one required textbook for this course: Business Communication by Marie Flatley and
Kathryn Rentz. Please bring your textbook to class every day. In this course, we will read and
discuss the textbook and outside resources to be provided throughout the term, as well as draft
and final assignments. These texts will inform our discussions, but you are expected to contribute
your own knowledge, experience, and perspectives, and you are expected to come to class fully
prepared to participate in that day’s activities. To encourage such participation, we will have
unannounced quizzes throughout the quarter. Be aware that our class is a team/collaborative
environment, where every person’s contributions are valued and every person is respected.
UC BLACKBOARD & EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS & ATTENDANCE POLICY
Please ensure that your email address is correct in the Blackboard system. In addition to
attending and participating in classwork, homework, and peer reviews, you are responsible for
checking the Course Announcements on Blackboard and your email regularly. Bear in mind that
the Instructor is not responsible for any course communications that you miss due to technical
problems, lack of attendance, inattention to Blackboard or email, and so forth. In case of a flu
epidemic or other major disruption, we may meet “virtually” to complete this course.
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
You should be familiar with the University of Cincinnati (UC) Student Code of Conduct (use
this hyperlink or visit http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Code_of_Conduct.html). Among those policies
included in the Student Code of Conduct that are especially applicable to this course are those
regarding Academic Misconduct, including cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. I enforce a
zero-tolerance policy for Academic Misconduct: Any student caught in Academic Misconduct
will automatically receive an “F” in this course and may face further disciplinary action by UC.
Contact the Instructor in advance with any questions that you have regarding these policies in
preparing your writing assignments. (Ex: Yes, you must cite references obtained on the Internet.)
ASSIGNMENTS
You will be responsible for producing at least one draft and one final project for each of the five
(5) assignments described below (more detail to be provided). Draft and final projects are due by
the beginning of class, so keep a copy of your project for reference during the day’s discussion.
Except as otherwise provided by the Instructor, Drafts and Final Projects should be:
 Typed in Times New Roman 12 pt or comparable font,
 On standard 8½” X 11” size paper, with 1” margins, properly spaced for the exercise format,
 Responsive to the guidelines outlined in the textbook and the exercise due for class that day.
Assignment #1: Job Search (Resumé and Cover Letter). You will spend time throughout
the quarter preparing your resumé and cover letter in application for your “dream job.”
You will start this assignment on Day One of our class by writing up a job description for your
dream job and making an appointment to meet with someone in the UC Career Development
Center (CDC). Then you will submit your draft resumé and cover letter for your dream job to the
Instructor (and to the CDC at your appt). Incorporating the recommendations of CDC staff, the
Instructor, and your textbook, you will revise your resumé and cover letter by Dec. 3 (no penalty
for finishing sooner). The end result will be a terrific foundation for your employment portfolio.
Assignment #2: Informational Message (Email). Email and instant messaging (IM) are fun
forums in which you chat with friends at work and elsewhere. However, they are important
communication tools that also can be sources of serious business problems if misused.
Everything that you type on your business email system or IM can be discovered, not only by
your employer (and the IT staff at your organization), but also in a lawsuit against you or your
organization. For this assignment, imagine you are the CEO of a small nonprofit or profit
organization, and write an informational e-mail to your employees outlining the “do’s and
don’t’s” of your internal communications policies. Determine the wording and format that best
communicate all the necessary information without overwhelming your readers/audience with
excessive details. Submit this assignment via email server, rather than in document format.
Assignment #3: Persuasive Message (Text & Report & Presentation). Communicating
effectively and persuasively can be a challenge. We often unconsciously use words that are
ineffective or even counter-productive. For this assignment, you will work together with your
flu buddies/team to become more effective and persuasive both in print and in person by writing
informational text and a research report as well as presenting your recommendations for a new
website for a real Ohio small business. First, you will find a document that you find persuasive
and credible, and bring it to share and discuss with your team (as determined on Day One).
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Next, you will hear from an Ohio businessperson, Kim Raderstorf, and interview her about her
company, Partners in Performance (PIP). Each team will draft an informative message for PIP’s
proposed website and produce a short report making professional recommendations to PIP about
composing a business website. Finally, each team will present their products to Ms. Raderstorf.
Assignment #4: Neutral Message (Office Memorandum). Neutrality is one of the hardest
communication tasks. With the help of a trained mediator, you will practice active listening and
neutral responses in class. You will take this assignment home by writing an operational message
for your firm without betraying your personal opinions on the subject-matter. Submit this
assignment via collaborative technology, e.g., Google Documents, Word (“track changes”).
Assignment #5: Bad-News Message (Business Letter). Finding the correct balance for a
negative message is also a very difficult task. This week, you will write to an outside vendor
explaining a problem resulting from their insufficient service and your preferred resolution.
The syllabus indicates when drafts of major assignments are due. On these days, email your
typed, complete draft assignment (not a “rough” draft) to the Instructor and your team no later
than 10:30AM. I may choose some of these at random for us to review as a class, and you will
discuss and edit one another’s projects in your team. Missing a deadline, coming unprepared,
and/or giving little or no feedback on your classmates’ projects will mean you receive a lowered
class participation grade (and, almost certainly, a lower grade overall on that assignment). Peer
reviews and other participation may occur both in person and via collaborative technologies, e.g.,
Blackboard, Google Documents, Word (using “track changes”), and/or Facebook.
Submit final projects in class at 11:00AM or via email by 10:30AM on the due date.
You will get full credit for the course only if you complete all five (5) major assignments and do
each assignment by the due date. If you find that you must have an extension for an assignment,
you must request such extension in advance and your grade for that assignment may be lowered.
CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK/QUIZ FOLDER
As mentioned above, there will be a combined grade given for class discussion, peer review
(feedback on others’ work), class participation, and a Classwork/Homework/Quiz Folder,
which will be worth 15% of your overall grade. I will grade your assignments throughout the
quarter, but you are responsible for keeping your other classwork, including any quizzes, in a
folder to turn in at the end of the quarter, and your folder will be the only complete record of
your work. Please note: There will be no final exam.
DISCUSSION/FEEDBACK/PARTICIPATION
You should endeavor to be attentive throughout class meetings and to participate in all peer
reviews and other class discussions. I will make as much leeway as possible for online/virtual
collaboration. Nevertheless, ANY time that you miss class, YOU must contact the Instructor
immediately to re-schedule assignments AND review what you missed with your team.
Also, except in case of emergency, at NO time is it ever appropriate for you to use a mobile/cell
phone, IM, or any other electronic communications in class. Although we will use the computers
in our classroom from time to time for classwork, unauthorized use of technology during class
is not permitted. If you are found abusing this policy, you will be asked to leave.
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Anticipated Schedule of Assignments
(subject to change)
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
24:
Introduction to course and each other; your “dream job”; “flu buddies”/teams.
Homework: Read Chs. 1 & 11; Draft Assignment #1: Job Search (Resumé &
Cover Letter); Contact CDC to schedule appointment (appt)
29:
Draft Assignment #1 due to Instructor. Final resumé & cover letter due by Dec. 3.
The importance of business communication; communication as problem solving.
Homework: Read Chs. 2 & 4; Confirm appt w/CDC
1:
Understanding the writing process; writing email; controlling style & tone.
Homework: Draft Assignment #2: Informational Message (Email)
6:
Draft of Assignment #2 due to Instructor and Team; discuss and edit drafts.
Homework: Finish Assignment #2: Informational Message (Email)
8:
Assignment #2 due.
Discuss Assignments #2 & 3; writing informational & persuasive messages.
Homework: Read Chs. 5 & 7; Share persuasive item with your team
13:
Guest speaker: Kim Raderstorf, Partners in Performance.
Homework: Draft Assignment #3 – Part 1 (Informational Website Text)
15:
Draft Assignment #3 – Part 1 due to Instructor and Team; discuss and edit drafts.
Homework: Read Chs. 8 & 9
20:
Researching and writing reports; writing collaboratively.
Homework: Start Draft Assignment #3 – Part 2 (Persuasive Report)
22:
Teamwork on Assignment #3 – Part 2; working collaboratively.
Homework: Finish Draft Assignment #3 – Part 2 (Persuasive Report)
27:
Draft Assignment #3 – Part 2 due to Instructor and Team; discuss and edit drafts.
Homework: Read Chs. 3 & 10 (in Ch. 10 read pp. 268-81 only)
29:
Teamwork on Assignment #3; incorporating visuals; making presentations.
Homework: Finish Assignment #3 (Text & Report & Presentation)
3:
Assignment #3 due.
Formal presentations (teams).
5:
Guest speaker: Active listening and neutral responses.
Homework: Revisit Chs. 4 & 5
10:
Writing good-news & neutral messages; determining & meeting objectives.
Homework: Draft Assignment #4: Neutral Message (Office Memorandum)
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Nov.
Dec.
12:
Draft Assignment #4 due; discuss and edit drafts via collaborative technology.
Homework: Finish Assignment #4: Neutral Message (Office Memorandum);
Read Ch. 6
17:
Assignment #4 due.
Writing bad-news messages; using“you-attitude”; being direct; saving goodwill.
Homework: Draft Assignment #5: Bad-News Message (Business Letter)
19:
Draft Assignment #5 due; discuss and edit drafts.
Homework: Finish Assignment #5: Bad-News Message (Business Letter);
Read Ch. 10 (256-68 only) & Revisit Ch. 11
24:
NO CLASS – MEET WITH CDC IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO;
CONTINUE REVISING YOUR RESUME & COVER LETTER
26:
NO CLASS – HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND
1:
Assignment #5 due.
Using job-search skills; communicating in the job search.
Homework: Finish Assignment #1: Job Search (Resumé & Cover Letter)
3:
Assignment #1 due.
Classwork/Homework/Quiz Folder due.
Team & Course Evaluations.
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