La Salle University
English 303-31
Writing for Business
Dr. Lehr
Spring, 2004
DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
English 303 is designed to introduce students to business communication and prepare them
for writing business reports and correspondence. The objectives are as follows:
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using pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing strategies;
developing an awareness of different audiences and using a clear, appropriate
style for each;
writing organized, coherent, and grammatically correct, letters, memos, and
reports;
developing research skills in preparing a formal report;
integrating visuals and text successfully within documents.
TEXTS AND
MATERIALS
Required:
Thill, John V., and Courtland L. Bovee, Excellence in Business
Communication. 5th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,
2002.
Pocket folder (portfolio for course writing)
CLASS AND CONFERENCES
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:15 in O111. During class, we will
discuss the assigned readings, evaluate papers, work in groups, or confer individually. Since
this course is basically a workshop one, participation is essential. Therefore, come prepared
to each class with your textbook and all of your assignment completed.
Some class time will be used for conferences, at which time I will review your progress, and
plans for future assignments. If you wish to see me otherwise, please sign for a specific
conference time on the sheets taped on my office door (Olney 156).
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays: 10:00-12:00 and other times by appointment
MAILBOX, TELEPHONE, AND E-MAIL
If you need to leave a note or paper for me, please put it in my mailbox in the English
Department (Olney 141). If you wish to call, my office telephone number is 951-5002.
(After several rings, calls should be transferred to the English office--951-1145.)
You can e-mail me (lehr@lasalle.edu); however, I will open only mail that has a
recognizable address and subject. In writing e-mail, please use standard punctuation and
capitalization.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory. To participate fully you need to attend all classes. If classes are
cancelled for conferences, please come on time. Missing your conference will result in
absences for all the cancelled classes in the conference series. Your participation grade is
closely tied to attendance. More than four absences may result in a failure for your
participation grade.
Lateness disrupts the class; however, if it occurs excessively, it also will lower the
participation grade (two "lates" are equivalent to one absence). If for some reason, you must
miss a class, please notify me in advance. If you cannot notify me, please get the assignment
for the next class from another student.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADES
Short Writing Assignments--50%
E-mail Announcing Topic of Analytic Study―
Resume & Letter of Application―
Work Plan for Study and Report (Memo) ―
Progress Report (Memo)
Good-News Letter―
Bad-News Letter―
5%
15%
5%
5%
10%
10%
Final Report--20%
In addition to the short assignments, there will be a longer report (approx. 6-8 pages)
that will involve both primary and secondary research. It will be a feasibility report
that focuses on a problem that you research and analyze and later offer
recommendations for its solution. The report must include at least three graphics
(tables and/or figures). This report will be written on a topic that you choose and that
I approve early in the semester.
Oral Report―5%
At the end of the semester, you will give a 5-10 minute presentation on your final
report using at least one audio/visual aid.
Participation―10%
Quizzes―15%
Six quizzes will be given based on the “Test your Knowledge” questions at the end of
chapters—one of which can be dropped or missed.
POLICIES FOR PAPERS
Late papers: Since meeting deadlines is important in business, please submit all papers for
this course on time. One paper can be submitted late without penalty, but all
additional late papers will have their grades lowered.
Revisions:
Short assignments with split grades can be revised for the higher of the
two grades, but the revision must be resubmitted with the original graded
assignment within two weeks of the time the assignment is returned.
Format:
The specific format will vary with each assignment. Type all assignments,
and submit a printed copy (e-mail copies are unacceptable).
Plagiarism:
All work submitted must be your own. In preparing papers, you must
acknowledge all primary or secondary sources consulted whether you actually
quoted from them or not. Failure to do so will result in a failure for the
assignment and, if consciously done, failure in the course. Additionally,
students guilty of plagiarism may be referred to the University for further
disciplinary action (see the Student Handbook).
SCHEDULE
The following gives an overview of the topics, readings, and papers along with their tentative
due dates. Specific reading and writing assignments as well as detailed directions for papers
will be given in class.
Week
Topics/Assignments
I
January 12
Overview of course; E-mail: 506-508 &
Letters: 492-501; Analytic Reports: 281-285; Chap. 1:
“Understanding Business Communications”: 1-21;
diagnostic essay (350 words in class)
II.
January 19
[MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY]; Chap. 4: “Planning
Business Messages”: 72-93; E-MAIL ANNOUNCING
SUBJECT OF STUDY
III.
January 26
Chap. 5: “Writing Business Messages”: 99-127; Chap.
14: “Writing Résumés and Application Letters”: 431456
IV.
February 2
Chap. 14 (Cont.); Chap. 6: “Completing Business
Messages”: 133-153; Work Plans: 289-291; RÉSUMÉ
AND LETTER OF APPLICATION
V.
February 9
Chap: 7: “Writing Routine, Good-News, and Goodwill
Messages”: 160-185; WORKPLAN FOR STUDY AND
REPORT
VI.
February 16
Chap. 10: “Planning Business Reports and Proposals”:
270-281 & 286-308
VII.
February 23
Chap. 8: “Writing Bad-News Messages”: 197-219;
GOOD NEWS/GOODWILL LETTER
[MARCH 1-5:
VIII.
March 8
MID-SEMESTER HOLIDAY]
Chap. 11: “Writing Business Reports and Proposals”:
315-348; PROGRESS REPORT
IX.
March 15
Chap. 12: “Completing Formal Reports and Proposals”:
358-393; BAD NEWS LETTER
X.
March 22
Chap. 12 (cont.); DRAFT OF FINAL REPORT;
CONFERENCES
XI.
March 29
CONFERENCES; Chap. 13: “Giving Speeches and Oral
Presentations”: 403-425
XII.
April 5
FINAL REPORT; ORAL REPORT
XIII.
April 12
[EASTER MONDAY-NO CLASS]; ORAL REPORT
XIV.
April 19
ORAL REPORT; EVALUATIONS