Course Syllabus
ENG 302: Business Writing
Fall 2013
MWF 9:00-9:50 (#74872) in COOR L1-72
MWF 10:30-11:20 (#74613) in COOR L1-72
MWF 12:00-12:50 (#74614) in COOR L1-72
Instructor: Dr. Adelheid Thieme
Office: LL 312C
Office Hours: MWF 9:50-10:20 in COOR L1-72
MWF 11:20-11:50 in COOR L1-72 (and by appointment)
Phone: 480-965-2810 (leave message)
E-mail:
Blackboard site:
Writing Programs URL:
Required Text and Materials:
- Alred, G. J., Brusaw, C. T., & Oliu, W. E. (2011). The Business Writer’s Companion. Boston, New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s. (Spiral-bound)
Course Description
English 302, Business Writing, is an advanced, interdisciplinary writing course designed to improve the workplace writing competence of W. P. Carey School of Business professional and pre-professional students. The course focuses on the practice and study of selected types of discourse employed in professional business situations and helps prepare students for different kinds of writing they will encounter in their professional lives. Much of the course is conducted in a workshop format. Prerequisites for the course are English 101 and 102 or English 105, and pre-business or business major standing.
Course Goals
The purpose of this course is for students to
- Transition from academic to professional/business writing
- Significantly improve their ability to write effective business/professional communication
- Critically investigate and incorporate a variety of research sources
- Recognize and avoid plagiarism
- Demonstrate mastery of standard grammar and writing mechanics
- Utilize various strategies and organizational techniques in the writing process
- Develop collaborative group communication and writing skills
- Exhibit visual presentation skills
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, all students should be able to
- Analyze and evaluate audience/purpose/situation as they apply to business writing contexts
- Produce clear, concise, effective audience and purpose specific business rhetoric
- Incorporate process (research, invention, writing, revision, and editing) into all writing tasks and create document fluency through multiple drafts
- Adapt tone and style for appropriate rhetorical business purposes
- Conduct primary and secondary research relevant to topic; integrate appropriate sources using APA style
- Incorporate analytical /technical data in the form of charts, graphs, spreadsheets, etc.
- Give and receive constructive criticism among peers Actively plan and participate in a collaborative project
- Use current technology to design accurate and visually appealing PowerPoint slides that will maximize the effectiveness of written and oral reports
- Develop strategies to facilitate communication across ethnic and/or business cultures
Major Assignments
Unit 1: Short Business Correspondence 10%
(Claim Email = 5%, Adjustment Email = 5%)
Unit 2: Employment Packet 10%
(Resume, letter of application, thank-you note)
Unit 3: Extended Persuasive Messages 20%
(Persuasive business letter = 10%, Bad news memo = 10%)
Unit 4: Short Proposal 10%
(business letter soliciting funding for project)
Unit 5: Long Report + Presentation 25%
(Group research project (see list of topics on Blackboard))
Written report = 20%, Oral presentation 5%)
Homework (Drafts for in-class workshops) and
Oral Participation/Class attendance 15%
Portfolio and Reflection Letter 10%
(Reflection on learning outcomes of course)
Standard Writing Programs Policies
1. Policy on class attendance
Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Because Writing Programs courses incorporate frequent small - and large - group activities into lessons, students who are absent affect not only their own learning, but that of their fellow students. Therefore, only two weeks’ worth of absences (see below) will be allowed for the semester, regardless of reason, including documented illness or emergency. Students who exceed two weeks’ worth of classes will fail the course, unless they withdraw (see ).
- For Fall and Spring semesters, classes that meet three days a week (MWF, for example), the maximum number of allowed absences is six (6); for classes that meet two days a week, the maximum number is four (4); for classes that meet once a week, the maximum number is two (2). For classes that meet on other schedules, the number of absences allowed should reflect a similar ratio (two weeks’ worth of class meetings).
- Note: Students who participate in university-sanctioned activities and/or who will be unable to meet the attendance requirements for a particular section should move to another section where their activity schedules will not interfere with their classroom obligations (students can freely switch sections during the first week of the semester). To accommodate students who participate in university-sanctioned activities, ASU Writing Programs offers sections of many courses online and at various times of the day and week. We have asked advisors across campus to help students enroll in appropriate sections. If you think that this course may conflict with a university-sanctioned activity in which you are involved—athletics or the debate team or another—please see me immediately.
- During the semester, I will cancel classes for individual conferences. If you miss your conference, you will be counted absent for the same number of classes that were canceled in order to hold conferences. For instance, if we cancel class for two days to hold conferences and you miss your conference, it "counts" as two absences.
- Be on time to class. I understand that you may occasionally have legitimate reasons for coming to class late. If you are late no more than two times during the semester, there will be no consequences. However, once you have exhausted your allowed number of “tardies” (a “tardie” is defined as being more than 5 minutes late), two tardies will be counted as one absence.
2. Attendance: first week of classes
According to university policy, students who are registered but do not attend any of the first week of classes may be dropped.
3. If I am absent
If I need to cancel class for any reason, I will contact you via e-mail. If possible, I will also try to get someone to post a sign. However, if you come to class and I have not arrived by the time 15 minutes have elapsed (from when class is to start), please assume that class is cancelled, and check e-mail frequently afterwards for further instructions.
4. Grading
Grading for Writing Projects will follow English Department standards, which are based on content, organization, expression, and mechanics. To compute final course grades, the following values are assigned to the standard letter grades of A through E:
- A = 3.5 - 4.0 B = 2.5 – 3.49
- C = 1.5 - 2.49 D = .5 – 1.49
- E = .49 and below
5. The public nature of class writing and discussions
Please consider every piece of writing you do for this class to be "public property." Remember that you will often be expected to share your writing with others, so avoid writing about things that you may not be prepared to subject to public scrutiny, or things you feel so strongly about that you are unwilling to listen to perspectives other than your own. This does not mean that you are not entitled to an opinion but that you adopt positions responsibly, contemplating the possible effect on others. This course may contain content (assigned readings, in-class discussions, etc.) deemed offensive by some students. If you have concerns about any course content, please bring these concerns to the attention of your instructor.
6. Technological Distractions
Please refrain from any unauthorized usages of technology during our class sessions. In this usage, ‘unauthorized’ means unrelated to the tangible learning activity or activities taking place during the class period. Please put all hand-held electronic devices away. I will expect computers and laptops to be used for classroom activities only. Failure to abide by these guidelines may have a negative impact on a student’s participation grade. Repeat offenders may be seen as disruptive and asked to leave class.
7. Late Writing Projects
Note that if you do not have a copy of your Writing Project on the day it is due, you will loseone letter grade from your final Writing Project grade per class day that the project is late.
8. All writing for this class must be written for this class
Topass this class, all major writing assignments must be submitted, and note that all writing for this class must be written for this class. Reusing a paper from another class or elsewhere constitutes academic dishonesty. If you wish to further pursue a research project begun in another class or develop ideas you have written about in another class, please discuss your plans with me first.
9. Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to write and submit original work in Writing Programs classes, and to incorporate others’ words, images, or ideas into their writing using correct attribution practices. Academic dishonesty in any form (see will not be tolerated, and students are expected to be familiar with all relevant university policies. The Academic Integrity Policy is located at
10. Disruptive, Threatening, or Violent Behavior
Students, faculty, staff, and other individuals do not have an unqualified right of access to university grounds, property, or services. Interfering with the peaceful conduct of university-related business or activities or remaining on campus grounds after a request to leave may be considered a crime. A disruptive student may be withdrawn from a course with a mark of “W” or “E” when the student’s behavior disrupts the educational process. Disruptive classroom behavior for this purpose is defined by the instructor. Disruptive behavior in any form (see will not be tolerated, and students are expected to be familiar with all relevant university policies. ASU Student Rights and Responsibilities are located at
11. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities may be eligible to receive academic support services and accommodations. Eligibility is based on qualifying disability documentation and assessment of individual need. If students wish to request accommodation for a disability, they must be registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and submit appropriate documentation from the DRC in advance of the request. Additional information can be found at the DRC website:
12. End-of-Semester Portfolio Collection
All students will submit a portfolio of their work to the Writing Programs Portfolio Archive at the end the semester. This portfolio will consist of the final drafts of all major writing projects. This portfolio will be submitted digitally as a single PDF containing the major project final drafts in chronological order. Additional information and instructions for submission will be provided before the end of the semester.
Tentative Course Outline
Reading assignments are based on The Business Writer’s Companion = BWC
Week 1
Class Discussion / Homework8-23 / Course overview / Read BWC xxix-xxxvi.
Week 2
Class Discussion / Homework8-26 / Achieving success through effective business communication.
Introduction to professional correspondence: format of emails. / Read BWC Chapter 1: The Writing Process (2-35).
8-28 / Introduction to professional correspondence: format of emails (continued).
Diagnostic Test
8-30 / Writing Assignment #1: Complaint email.
Review of Diagnostic Test / Write draft of Writing Assignment #1 and bring hard copy to class (with number, not name).Save a copy of your draft on a USB drive that you bring to class.
Read BWC 188-189.
Week 3
Class Discussion / Homework9-2 / Labor Day
9-4 / Workshop on complaint email.
Style, diction, and mechanics workshop / Polish draft of Complaint Email and bring hard copy with your name to class.
9-6 / Writing Assignment #1 (Complaint Email) due.
Mechanical correctness exercises.
Week 4
Class Discussion / Homework9-9 / Writing Assignment #2: Adjustment Email.
Sentence Level Correctness Exercises. / Read BWC 185-188.
Write draft of Writing Assignment #2 and bring hard copy to class (with number, not name).Save a copy of your draft on a USB drive that you bring to class.
9-11 / Workshop on adjustment email.
Sentence Level Correctness Exercises. / Read BWC 213-15.
Polish draft of Adjustment Email and bring hard copy with your name to class.
9-13 / Writing Assignment # 2 (Adjustment email) due.
Proofreading Exercises.
Composing your message.
Week 5
Class Discussion / Homework9-16 / Introduction to Employment Packet.
Reading job/internship advertisements.
The résumé. / Find a job/internship advertisement and analyze it writing responses to the questions in the file “Job Advertisement Analysis” in the folder “Preparing to Write a Resume and Letter of Application” (see Assignments).
9-18 / The résumé (cont.).
Identifying skills.
Principles of résumé design. / Read BWC 232-248.
Fill out Skills Inventory Spreadsheet
(see Assignments)
9-20 / The letter of application. / Read BWC 220-224.
Week 6
Class Discussion / Homework9-23 / Critiquing letters of application. Samples of opening and closing paragraphs.
The thank-you note. / Draft thank-you note and bring hard copy to class (no name, just a number).
9-25 / Workshop on thank-you note.
Proofreading Exercise. / Draft résumé and letter of application. Bring hard copies of your résumé and letter of application as well as a corresponding job advertisement to your 30-minute individual conference.
9-27 / Individual Conferences in
my office (Language and Literature Building 312).
Class cancelled. / Draft résumé and letter of application. Bring hard copies of your résumé and letter of application as well as a corresponding job advertisement to your 30-minute individual conference.
Week 7
Class Discussion / Homework9-30 / Individual Conferences in
my office (Language and Literature Building 312).
Class cancelled. / Draft résumé and letter of application. Bring hard copies of your résumé and letter of application as well as a corresponding job advertisement to your 30-minute individual conference.
10-2 / Individual Conferences in
my office (Language and Literature Building 312).
Class cancelled. / Prepare polished hard copy versions of résumé, letter of application, and thank-you note for submission.
10-4 / Writing Assignment #3 Employment Packet due.
Reflection.
Formatting memos.
Four Principles of Design.
Week 8
Class Discussion / Homework10-7 / Writing extended persuasive messages.
Writing Assignment #4: Drafting a persuasive letter. / Write draft of Writing Assignment #4 and bring hard copy to class (with number, not name). Save a copy of your draft on a USB drive that you bring to class.
10-9 / Rough draft workshop on persuasive letter. / Polish your persuasive letter. Bring hard copy (with your name) to class.
Read BWC 14-15, 193, 200-203.
10-11 / Writing Assignment #4 Persuasive letter due.
Successful Business Communication I
Week 9
Class Discussion / Homework10-14 / Fall Break
10-16 / Writing negative messages.
10-18 / Writing Assignment #5: Negative Message.
Drafting a negative message.
Successful Business Communication II. / Write draft of bad news letter Assignment #5. Bring hard copy to class with number, not name.Save a copy of your draft on a USB drive that you bring to class.
Read BWC 193-95.
Week 10
Class Discussion / Homework10-21 / Using positive diction.
Stylistic exercises.
Rough draft workshop I on negative message. / Revise rough draft.
10-23 / Rough draft workshop II on negative message. / Write final draft of negative message and bring hard copy to class (with name)
10-25 / Writing Assignment #5 due.
Communicating in a multicultural environment. / Read BWC 106-118.
Week 11
Class Discussion / Homework10-28 / Introduction to formal reports.
Writing proposals.
Samples of short proposals.
Writing Assignment #6: Short Proposal.
10-30 / Invention work and research for short proposal. / Write draft of Introduction section of Writing Assignment #6 and bring hard copy to class (with number, not name). Save a copy on your USB drive.
11-1 / Workshop I on rough draft of proposal. / Write entire draft of Writing Assignment #6 and bring hard copy to class (with number, not name). Save a copy on your USB drive.
Read BWC 127-153.
Week 12
Class Discussion / Homework11-4 / Workshop II on rough draft of proposal.
Components of a long report (Presentation).
11-6 / Writing Assignment #6 Short proposal due.
Reflection.
Discussion of long report assignment.
Forming groups.
Developing outline of long report (Group workshop) / Do primary and secondary research for group report.
Read BWC 47-85.
11-8 / Using ASU research databases. / Read BWC 69-76.
Week 13
Class Discussion / Homework11-11 / Veterans Day
11-13 / Scheduling oral presentations.
The APA format for the references list and for in-text citation.
APA in-text citation exercise. / Continue primary and secondary research for group report.
11-15 / Sharing findings from primary and secondary research
Group workshop on formatting individual sections of written report. / Read WBC 136.
Upload your individual section of the long report on “File Exchange” in your group section.
Week 14
Class Discussion / Homework11-18 / Writing informative visual aids (PowerPoint/Prezi)
Developing template for oral presentation. / Read WBC 140-141.
11-20 / Successful oral presentations.
The Letter of Transmittal and the Executive Summary. / Read WC 259-68.
Upload polished version of individual section of long report on Blackboard group site for group member review.
Prepare PowerPoint presentation or Prezi for oral presentation.
11-22 / Polished individual section of long report due for group review.
Oral presentations of long report / Prepare PowerPoint presentation or Prezi for oral presentation.
Week 15
Class Discussion / Homework11-25 / Oral presentations of long reports. / Prepare PowerPoint presentation or Prezi for oral presentation.
11-27 / Writing Assignment Long report due.
Oral presentations of long reports. / Prepare PowerPoint presentation or Prezi for oral presentation.
11-29 / Thanksgiving Break
Week 16
Class Discussion / Homework12-2 / Oral presentations of long reports. / Prepare PowerPoint presentation or Prezi for oral presentation.
12-4 / Oral presentations of long reports.
12-6 / Writing Assignment #8: The reflection letter and portfolio (see following paragraph for due date!)
Course evaluation. / Concrete instructions for submission of the portfolio and the letter of reflection will be provided at the end of the semester.
Instead of sitting for an in-class final, you are required to submit your portfolio and reflection letter by Friday, December 13, at 11:00 am. More concrete instructions will be given at the end of the semester. You cannot pass this class without turning in your reflection letter.