English W231— Professional Writing Skills
3 Credit Hours
Section 7208-Summer II 2009
MW 6:00-9:15 CA349 / CA425
Jennifer P. Mahoney
Office: Cavanaugh Hall 313, Office V Mailbox: CA313, Box 6
Office Hours: W 5-6pm & by appointment
Office Phone: 274-0570
E-mail: jpmahone@iupui.edu
Course Description
W231 builds on the lessons of English W131 to introduce students to expanded research and
writing skills, especially within writing situations and tasks encountered in workplace and
organizational settings. Course assignments and activities emphasize the role of professional
writing and the importance of developing professional writing skills. The objective of
professional writing is to produce results—it is aimed at helping people get work done.
The course focuses on the rhetorical principles that guide students in creating effective writing
in a variety of professional situations. Students learn how people typically read and use work
documents by analyzing the functions, structure, and language of professional writing. The
course also teaches students the importance of information technology by introducing them to
research skills that will be of value not only in the workplace, but also in upper-level courses in
their majors.
Course Goals
Students successfully completing W231 will have the ability to:
 Determine the appropriate content, format, and style for creating effective documents.
 Adapt writing to different situations, audiences, and purposes.
 Organize documents clearly and effectively for the intended audience.
 Develop teamwork skills and collaborate effectively with others.
 Develop good research questions and strategies.
 Gather, evaluate, interpret, and apply information accurately, logically, and ethically.
 Produce accessible, well-designed documents.
 Develop a clear, concise writing style.
Required Text
Oliu, W.E., Brusaw, C.T., & Alred, G.J. (2001). Writing that works: communicating effectively on
the job. (9th ed.). New York: Bedford St. Martin’s. The accompanying website is located at
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/writingthatworks.
Supplies





Textbook
Writing utensils
Folder for handouts and drafts
Computer disks or jump drive

3-ring binder for the team
project (do not purchase until we
begin the team project)
Notebook for notes
Grading
Project One
Project Two
Preliminary Proposal
10%
15%
15%
Team Project 40%
Performance Review
10%
Classroom Participation & Quizzes 10%
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Grade Scale
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
100
99-91
90
89
88-81
80
79
C 78-71
C- 70
D+ 69
D 68-61
D- 60
F 59 and below
Computers
We will meet in a computer classroom every day; however, you may need access to a PC
outside of class. If you need a computer on campus, refer to UITS’s schedule for times and
locations at http://www.iupui.edu/~stc/staffing/viewStaffing.pl
Computer Classroom Policies:
1.
You are responsible and can be held liable for activity on your computer accounts.
2.
Turn off your cell phone and pager prior to entering the classroom, or set to vibration mode.
3.
Use Microsoft Word (NOT Works!) or save your files in .RTF format so you can your
files can be opened in class and in Oncourse. Also be aware that we are using Office
2007 on campus now. If you save a document in 2007 and then try to open it in a
previous version of Office, you will not be able to read it.
4.
During lectures or discussions, PC monitors should be turned OFF.
5.
Do not get on the Internet, check email, chat on Facebook or access programs other
than those used during class.
6.
No food or drinks in the computer room.
7.
Use disks or jump drives or save files in File Manager on Oncourse; loss of files is an
invalid reason for failing to submit assignments.
IT IS A BAD IDEA TO SUBMIT WORK LATE IN W231. Submitting
homework and papers late means that
you are falling behind in completing coursework, which could be detrimental to your ability to
complete the work successfully, jeopardizing the grade you want to receive.
Deadlines are important both in the university setting and in the workplace. Success in W231 is
very difficult without staying up-to-date with the assignments. The guidelines below will regulate
acceptance of assignments.
 You may not submit the next assignment on the syllabus if you have not submitted the
preceding one.
 Graded work will be penalized 1/3 of a letter grade each weekday it is late. (Maximum
late penalty is 3 full letter grades.) No work will be accepted after the last day of class.
 Team portfolios missing required components may receive a failing grade.
Attendance
When you miss class, you miss the opportunity to learn more and to develop your skills. It will not be
easy to pass any class, let alone W231, if you do not attend. Because of the short summer schedule,
missing a single class session is equal to missing 2 ½ sessions of a regular course. To reinforce the
importance of attending, a record of your attendance will be kept throughout the semester. Excessive
absences will be reported to the registrar, who may take further action to make sure that you are in
compliance with financial aid obligations. University College students who miss two or more of the
first four class meetings without contacting me are administratively withdrawn by the Registrar.
I do understand that circumstances may not allow you to attend every class. In the case of
absence it is very important that you contact me by phone or e-mail to indicate to me before
class begins that you will not make it to class. It will be your responsibility to make up work you
miss. Unfortunately, we will not have time during class to catch you up on missed work. If you
are confused about what you missed, it will be best to make an appointment with me to review.
Missed handouts will be available on Oncourse.
If you are absent on presentation day, you will receive a letter grade lower on the team project
than the rest of your team.
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Important Policies
Disruptive students may face disciplinary action according to University policy. Visit
http://registrar.iupui.edu/misconduct.html for more information.
Plagiarism is defined by the IUPUI Writing Program as a violation of academic expectations
about citing sources. We will discuss ways to avoid plagiarism in class. The Indiana University
Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (available in CA 401) explains institutional
penalties for plagiarism. These IUPUI policies will be enforced.
Special accommodations are available for students with special challenges or disabilities that
may affect their performance in W231. If you are eligible for accommodations, register with
Adaptive Educational Services (AES), which can be reached at 274-3241.
Withdrawals must be initiated with a signed schedule adjustment form. Withdrawals are not
necessarily automatic; not showing up to class does not mean that you are withdrawn. You must
receive a signature from your academic advisor to withdraw from W231. If you do not withdraw
from the course and you fail to turn in the required work, you will receive an F for the course.
See the Schedule of Classes for more information.
Incompletes are rarely given, and then only if at least 75% of the work has been completed at a
passing level, and extreme circumstances prevent completion of the remaining work by the last
day of the semester.
Where to Find Help when You Want It or Need It
W231 can be a challenging course and help is available to you if you decide that you want or
need help. Even the best writers receive help from colleagues, from their mentors, from their
teachers, or from a resource like the University Writing Center. Help for your writing and your
writing process is available with me outside of class during regular office hours or during other
scheduled appointments. You can make an appointment by talking to me before or after class,
or by e-mailing me outside of class.
When you come for an appointment, please be sure to bring the work you want to discuss and
some questions to focus our conversation. I can also be reached by e-mail to answer questions
about your work.
Another outstanding resource for help is the University Writing Center, which I mentioned above, where
appointments can be made with tutors to go over papers at any point in the writing process.
Appointments are generally 1/2 hour each, and they need to be made ahead of time (generally for a
day or so from when you call or visit). I encourage you to take advantage of this service throughout the
semester. To schedule a session, call 274-2049 or 278-8171.
Outline of Major Assignments
Project 1: Principles of Effective Professional Writing
Purpose: To acquaint you with basic rhetorical principles involving professional
writing, to introduce rhetorical features of successful memos and letters, and to
make connections between this course and other environments you write in.
Documents
 Memo to Instructor: two-page analysis of how writing is produced and works
in a particular context within your field of study.
 Short report to other students interested in your major/field.
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Project 2: Evaluating Websites
Purpose: To extend basic rhetorical principles, to introduce features of document
design and research, and to explore successful strategies for Web searches.
Documents
 Handout to students providing online evaluation guidelines
 Transmittal memo to accompany the handout
Project 3: Preliminary Proposal (Individual) and Team Project (Collaborative)
Purpose: To extend library research skills, to evaluate, interpret, and apply
information accurately, logically, and ethically, and to develop teamwork skills.
Documents:
 Brief preliminary memo outlining project idea(s) and soliciting
feedback (individual)
 Team proposal (memo to instructor, about 2 pages)
 Annotated bibliography (8-10 cited sources)
 Literature review (3-4 pages)
 Survey (questionnaire)
 Written recommendation report (about 5-6 pages, plus appendix material)
 Oral presentation version of your team’s report, (about 8-10 minutes, using
PowerPoint slides)
The semester concludes with a reflective memo (performance review) and team
assessment for the instructor that overviews and analyzes all the work done in
the course, as well as your participation and performance in your team.
Collaborative Work: The research project will be completed in teams, which will be formed in
class. Because one of our course goals is to develop teamwork skills and collaborate effectively
with others, working individually on Project 3 is not an option. Work will be done in class and on
Oncourse to facilitate the negotiation of all aspects of the work, including planning, drafting,
revising, file managing, and scheduling. Teams will be supplied with principles for successful
collaboration and clear guidelines for completing the work. Our text has many resources for
managing team projects. Team members will complete evaluation forms to ensure fair and
equitable distribution and evaluation of the work.
Once the team project begins, at least one hour of every class will be devoted to teamwork,
planning and production of team documents in the computer room. For this to work smoothly,
and to avoid the need for meetings outside of class, you must correspond with your team
between classes and come to class prepared with your portion of the work!
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Tentative Schedule
This schedule does not include some small homework assignments you may be asked to post
on Oncourse. Most assigned chapters will be briefly discussed in class or on Oncourse.
DATE
6/29
BEFORE CLASS
Read Chapter 1 and
section on informal
reports: p. 344-347
CLASS TOPIC OR ACTIVITY
Introductions
DUE TODAY
Discuss Chapters 1 and 10
Discuss Project 3 and topic
selection methods and
criteria
7/1
Read Chapter 9
Finish Project 1
Discuss Chapter 9 and
principles of workplace
correspondence
DUE: Project 1 Career
opportunities report
and evaluation memo
Practice with audience, purpose
Intro to Project 2
7/6
Read Chapters 6 and p.
205-216
Work on Project 2 and
preliminary proposal for
Project 3
7/8
Read p. 433-439
Read “Couch Potatoes
and Hitchhikers”
Discuss internet and library
research, APA documentation,
and document design
Researching in class
Progress check on preliminary
proposals
Discuss research findings for
Project 2
DUE: Project 2 Online
research user guide
and memo to the
“secretary”
Finish Project 2
Discuss effective team
collaboration
7/13
Read Chapter 5
TEAMS FORM TODAY!
Finish drafting Project 3’s
preliminary proposal and
bring any questions
Discuss Chapter 5 & principles
of effective teamwork, team
policies and procedures, style
sheets
Read your classmates’
proposals
Introduction to secondary
research
Teams compose the team
proposal and begin secondary
research
5
DUE (by beginning of
class): Post
preliminary proposal
for team project on
Oncourse
DUE (by end of
class): Team
proposal with original
preliminary proposal
and policies and
procedures attached
7/15
Begin Project 3 research
Make copies of your
articles and bring
enough for your team.
Draft your section of the
annotated bibliography
The lit review: using grids to
synthesize information
Review of APA
DUE: Team’s
annotated
bibliography (by end
of class)
Analysis of a sample literature
review
Teams work with grids and
sections lit review drafts
7/20
Continue Project 3
research
Draft your section of the
grid and literature review
Interim Team Assessment
Teams compile literature review
and references page
DUE: Grid, literature
review, and
references page by
the end of class
Intro to primary research
7/22
Read pages 217-237
Discuss compilation and
presentation of primary research
data
7/27
Collect primary research
data
Discuss methodology,
conclusions and
recommendations
DUE: Primary
Research Tool
Read pages 396-400
Team drafts recommendation
report
7/29
Read 476-491
Intro to presentation
Intro to performance review
8/3
Draft your section of the
Power Point presentation
DUE (at the end of
class): Draft of the
recommendation
report.
Prep presentation
Revise and edit report
8/5
Finish the performance
review
Presentations, course
evaluations, performance
reviews, and team assessments
completed in class.
Team portfolios and individual performance reviews will be due by 6pm on Friday,
August 7th. You can turn them in early on our last day of class, August 5th. If you choose
to turn them in on Friday 8/7, they must be in my office (CA313, Cubicle E) by 6pm.
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