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Business Writing
English 42000-12
CRN
Spring 2017
Instructor: Stacey Dearing Office: Heavilon
Email: --------------------------------- Office Hours: Tuesdays Noon-1 & by apt.
Course Meeting Times: T&Th 9-10:15 am BRNG B280 Course Website: Canvas.instructure.com

Official Course Description

English 420 teaches students the rhetorical principles and writing practices necessary for producing effective
business letters, memos, reports, and collaborative projects in professional contexts. The curriculum is informed
by current research in rhetoric and professional writing and is guided by the needs and practices of business,
industry, and society at large, as well as by the expectations of Purdue students and programs. All sections of
English 420 are offered in networked computer classrooms or exclusively online to ensure that students taking
the course are prepared for the writing environment of the 21st-century workplace. The course teaches the
rhetorical principles that help students shape their business writing ethically, for multiple audiences, in a variety
of professional situations.

This particular section will focus on veteran support services available at Purdue. We will partner with the
Veteran Success Center on campus in order to explore what programs already exist, and why, and to propose new
programs, ways to advertise new and existing programs both to the Purdue community and to prospective
students, and/or how to revise or support currently existing programs and services. Because we will be working
with an active organization, we will be acting as consultants, requiring you to engage in professional
communication and behavior. Throughout these individual and collaborative projects, we will consider how
Universities propose and enact new programs to ensure student success, and will also have the chance to hone
our own understandings of future roles in the workplace and even within the institutional politics of Purdue.

Course Goals
These are general course goals outlined by the Professional Writing Program. Instructors will articulate how each
specific project incorporates the course goals.

Writing in Context
Analyze professional cultures, social contexts, and audiences to determine how they shape the various purposes
and forms of workplace writing, such as persuasion, organizational communication, and public discourse, with
an emphasis on
writing for a range of defined audiences and stakeholders
negotiating the ethical dimensions of workplace communication

Project Management
understand, develop and deploy various strategies for planning, researching, drafting, revising, and editing
documents both individually and collaboratively.
select and use appropriate technologies that effectively and ethically address professional situations and
audiences.
build professional ethos through documentation and accountability.

Document Design
Make rhetorical design decisions about workplace documents, including
understanding and adapting to genre conventions and audience expectations
understanding and implementing design principles of format and layout

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interpreting and arguing with design
drafting, researching, testing, and revising visual designs and information architecture

Teamwork
Learn and apply strategies for successful teamwork and collaboration, such as
working online with colleagues
determining roles and responsibilities
managing team conflicts constructively
responding constructively to peers' work
soliciting and using peer feedback effectively
achieving team goals

Research
Understand and use various research methods to produce professional documents, including
analyzing professional contexts
locating, evaluating, and using print and online information selectively for particular audiences and purposes
triangulating sources of evidence
selecting appropriate primary research methods, such as interviews, observations, focus groups, and surveys to
collect data
working ethically with research participants

Technology
Use and evaluate the writing technologies frequently used in the workplace, such as emailing, instant messaging,
image editing, video editing, presentation design and delivery, HTML editing, Web browsing, content
management, and desktop publishing technologies.

Required Text/Materials
During the semester, we will regularly be using the following texts:

Kolin, Philip C. Successful Writing at Work. Concise 4th Edition. 2015. ISBN: 1-285-05256-0
(You can rent or buy used, but if you buy a different edition it is up to you to read the correct content)

Hacker, Diane, and Nancy Sommers. A Pocket Style Manual, 7th Ed, 2016. ISBN: 1319083528 Bedford/St. Martins.
(You must get the most recent edition to include MLA 8).

Recommended: Stelzner, Michael A. Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep them Engaged.
White Paper Source Publishing, 2006. ISBN: 0977716937

1 to 1.5 inch ring binder with dividers and loose-leaf paper, or a notebook and folder;
blue or black ink pens, pencils, a stapler and/or paper clips. Bring writing utensils and paper to class every
day; in other words, be prepared to write! I also encourage you to have a flash drive and/or have a dropbox
account in case of technology emergencies.

Criteria for Evaluation

A copy of the rubric will be distributed with each project.

Grade Scale
100-94 = A 76.9-73 = C
93.9-90 = A- 72.9-70 = C-

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Credit for the course will be distributed as follows: 89.9-87 = B+ 69.9-67 = D+
Unit 1 Ethos Project 20% 86.9-83 = B 66.9-63 = D
Unit 2 White paper 25% 82.9-80 = B- 62.9-60 = D-
Unit 3 Group Project 30% 79.9-77 = C+ Below 59 = F
Reading and Discussion Responses 15%
Professional Ethos 10%

*For your own records, make a photocopy or back-up electronic copy of each project before submitting the original for review or evaluation. Keep backup
copies!
*More information about course components will be available on individual project assignment sheets and on our course website.
*Please note that an 89.5% does NOT equal a 90%. I will not round grades down for any reason. I will round grades up if they are within 0.99% at my own
discretion*
Assignments

Each unit is made up of several components, including shorter writing assignments (assigned as in-class
activities and homework) and the final product. Everything we do in this class will help you with putting
together your final project, ranging from invention activities to in-class workshop days. You will receive a final
course grade of F if you do not complete all parts of the major assignments. Each major assignment will have an
in-depth sheet that explains the requirements further. English 420 does not have a final examination.

Unit 1 Cultivating a Professional Ethos | 20%

This unit will challenge you to construct a professional ethos in class and online. You will create a series of job
documents, prepare for and complete a professional interview, and compose and present an elevator pitch that
will aid you in your professional development.

Unit 2 White Paper | 25%

In this unit you will work with a partner to write a white paper report, a type of document often used to sum up
what is known about a given subject. This report will require extensive research and document design, as you
will aim to construct a report that is both comprehensive and engaging.

Unit 3 Group Project | 30%

For the final unit of the course, you will work collaboratively with a team of other students in order to create a
proposal that lays out a plan for the Veterans Success Center at Purdue. To complete this project, your group
will need to perform different kinds of research, and use your findings to construct a comprehensive plan. Your
group will then present this plan as a professional pitch to a group of colleagues.

Quizzes, Reading and Discussion Responses on Forum | 15%

You will be responsible for keeping up with the readings in the class. Often, I will assign reading responses to
direct your attention to a particular aspect of these readings. You will complete these responses on the forum on
our class website. I expect you to write at least 200 words in response to the reading, but you may focus on any
aspect or idea within the reading that interests you. (Hint: You should illustrate that you did do the reading, so
using textual examples is a good idea.) You should also end with a question about the reading.

Participation and Professional Ethos | 10%

Participation in this class is necessary, and takes many different forms, including: being on time and prepared for
classes; actively participating in class discussions by offering up relevant examples from the reading, your own
ideas, and other forms of evidence; participating actively on our digital spaces by contributing interesting
questions and examples to your classmates; working diligently on in-class assignments, including individual in-
class writing and collaborative work; extending our conversations beyond mandatory conferences and class time
by visiting my office hours, and being a positive and professional member of the class.

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Feedback on Your Work
Feedback is crucial to our development as writers; therefore, you will receive various kinds of feedback
throughout the semester. Some feedback will be written; some feedback will be verbal. Some will be formal;
some will be informal. And some will come from your instructor while other feedback will come from your peers.
Throughout the semester, I ask that you reflect on the feedback you receive and integrate the feedback into your
writing.

Attendance Policy
The experience in class cannot be replicated; therefore, attendance is required (mandatory) in this class and will
be taken each day. If you arrive more than 25 minutes late to class, you will be marked absent for the day
regardless. For every 3 tardies (arriving after class activities have begun), you will receive 1 absence.

Every student may miss 3 classes without penalty. After your 3rd absence your grade will be docked 5% per
absence. If you reach 6 absences for any reason you will fail the class. If you have an extreme circumstance
(family illness/emergency, personal illness, etc.) come talk to me as soon as possible. I can work with you
throughout the semester to help. If you disappear for weeks on end without talking to me, however, I will not be
able to assist you. Communication is vital. Think of this class like a job; you wouldnt skip work for a month
without expecting to get fired, right? You cant skip class and expect not to fail.

Formal Writing
A paper may be submitted the day(s) before it is due.
Papers are due at the deadline to be considered on time. As in the business world, late work will not be
accepted. For our purposes, I will consider extensions requested in writing more than 48 hours before the
deadline. Any late work submitted without a granted extension request will receive a zero.
Because you may always turn in papers early, last-minute emergencies are not acceptable excuses for
turning in a late paper (this includes my printer didnt work or I just didnt finish it). I will consider
permitting extensions in extenuating circumstances if they are requested in writing more than 48 hours
before the assignment is due.
I will not answer emails about papers or read drafts sent within 24 hours of a paper due date. Plan ahead.
Assignment requirements and grading rubrics will be provided for each assignment.
Documents incorporating color should be printed in color. Plan ahead. Do not try to print anything the
morning of a deadline or presentation! Consider this class like a job; you would not come to work
unprepared and expect it to be ok.

Communication
I will periodically send emails with class updates, articles, etc. You are expected to check your Purdue email
regularly. With the exception of official school breaks and weekends, if you email me a question during the
semester I will do my best to respond within 24 hours. You may also come to my office during office hours or
schedule an appointment with me if your schedule does not permit you to attend office hours. E-mail
correspondence must conform to the guidelines discussed in class. This includes having a subject,
greeting, complete sentences, closing, and your name.

Academic Honesty
I assume that students in my classes are honest, and that the work you turn in is your own. This is the most basic
requirement of college coursework. Therefore, any evidence of cheating or intentional plagiarism (presenting
someone elses work, words, ideas as your own without proper credit) may result in an F for the assignment, or
an F for the course and a formal hearing through the Deans office. Egregious offences (intentional and
substantial plagiarism, collusion, fabrication and/or cheating) and/or multiple offences will be documented and
forwarded to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for further review and possible institutional sanctions which
can include expulsion from the University. We will discuss academic honesty and practices in class. Best advice:

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If you think it might be plagiarism, come talk to me. I will help ensure you document sources correctly, allowing
you to learn before a citation mistake is made rather than be punished after.

The English Department's official definition of plagiarism is:

When writers use material from other sources, they must acknowledge this source. Not doing so is called plagiarism, which
means using without credit the ideas or expression of another. You are therefore cautioned (1) against using, word for word,
without acknowledgement, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc. from the printed or manuscript material of others; (2)
against using with only slight changes the materials of another; (3) against using the general plan, the main headings, or a
rewritten form of someone elses material. These cautions apply to the work of other students as well as to the published
work of professional writers.
Penalties for plagiarism vary from failure of the plagiarized assignment to expulsion from the university, and may include
failure for the course and notification of the Dean of Students Office. The Department of English considers the previous
explanation to be official notification of the nature and seriousness of plagiarism.

Respect in the Classroom

Out of respect for your peers and instructor, please turn off or silence all electronic devices
(computers, phone) while in class. This is not the place for texting, Facebooking, taking calls, or playing
video games. In the case of an emergency, please be discreet and leave the room to answer your phone. Use
devices appropriatelyif you are not present (meaning paying attention, engaged, participating),
you are absent and will be marked as such.
When students or any instructor is speaking, please refrain from personal conversations or disruptive
behavior.
If you are having an issue with anyone in the class, please see me privately before it gets in the way of your
learning.
If you fall asleep in class you will be marked absent. I will not necessarily inform you if this
happensyou know if you are sleeping.
Everyone in this class has chosen to be here in order to further their goals as writers and students. I will not
permit any behavior which detracts from the overall learning experience or which creates a disrespectful,
hostile or unproductive learning environment. You will read articles in this course that may challenge you;
you will likely not agree with everything you read and/or hear in this class. Please approach new/challenging
ideas respectfully. Everyone in our class has a right to their own opinions. You can disagree, but hate speech,
intolerance, etc., will not be permitted. College is a time to explore new ideas; try to keep an open mind and
hear each other out. If your behavior becomes problematic you may be asked to leave and/or meet with me.
Purdues non-discrimination policy will be followed in this class.
In case of emergency the schedule will be revised. I will email with updates as necessary.

Finally, the biggest thing that prevents students from doing well in my class is not turning in work and/or not
showing up. The easiest way to fail is to skip excessively and/or not turn assignments in. You may be a delight in
class, but if you do not turn in your assignments, it is very hard for me to help you. You are a professional
student, and this class is your job for the semester.

No additional work, extra credit, make-up assignments, etc. will be offered

in the last weeks of the semester, so do not ask.

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**I reserve the right to revise the calendar and readings as necessary.**
**Students will be notified on the course website and by email
of changes made to the policies or syllabus.**

Class Schedule
**Note, assignments due means that the included reading/writing is due that day and must be completed before class**
Week | Unit Tuesday Thursday
Week 1: Jan 9-13 Syllabus talk & Policies, Introductions What is professional writing & Business
-Rhetorical Situation Communication?
Professional Ethos
Assignments Due Syllabus Quiz Due Online
Reading Quiz 1 Due Online
INC Article
Kolin Chapter 1
Week 2: Jan 16-20 Introduce Unit 1 Job Documents
Emails & Memos Finding & Analyzing Job Ads
Brainstorming for Job Docs
Assignments Due Kolin 133-141 (memos) Reading Quiz 2 Due Online
Kolin chapter 3 Kolin chapter 5
Week 3: Jan 23-27 Resumes activity Cover Letter activity
CRAP HATS
Assignments Due Kolin Chapter 4 Reading Quiz 3 Due Online
Career Plan Memo Due Online
Week 4: Jan 29- Interviews & Elevator Pitches Elevator Pitch Presentations & Mock Interview
Feb 3 Questions
Assignments Due Elevator Pitch PDFs Reading Quiz 4 Due Online
Week 5: Feb 6-10 Document Design Peer Review of Unit 1
InDesign 1: Letter head
Assignments Due Kolin chapter 6 Reading Quiz 5 Due Online
*Unit 1 Due Friday @ 5 pm
Week 6: Feb 13-17 Introduce Unit 2: White papers, Problem Thesis Statements & Peas Paragraphs
Setting in Action
Assignments Due Cushman PDF; Reading Quiz 6 Due Online
LePage Articles on Canvas Kolin Chapter 2
Bring in a real world example
Week 7: Feb 20-24 Research Methods; Fact Checking Citations I
Assignments Due Unit 2 Research Plan Proposal Due online Reading Quiz 7 Due Online
Kolin Chapter 8
Week 8: Feb 27- Citations II & Audience Analysis (Executive Visuals, Handouts & InDesign II
March 3 Summary)
Assignments Due Reading Quiz 8 Due Online
Annotated Bibliography Due
Kolin Chapter 6
Week 9: March 6- Discuss Presentations & Handouts Presentations
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Assignments Due Unit 2 Rough Draft Due
Week 10: March No Class Spring Break
13-17
Assignments Due
Week 11: March Peer Review & Reverse Outlining Introduce Unit 3: Group Roles, Team Setting
20-24
Assignments Due Unit 2 Draft 2 Due Unit 2 Final Draft due by Sunday 5 pm

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Week 12: March Color Theory InDesign III: Expanding our Expertise
27-31 Group Contracts, Topic Setting, online
communication
Assignments Due Read All Group Members White papers Genre Memos Due
Week 13: April 3-7 Fonts & Font Scavenger Hunt Studio
Assignments Due Progress Report Memos 1 Due
Week 14: April 10- Studio Studio
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Assignments Due Progress Report Memos 2 Due
Week 15: April 17- Studio Studio
21
Assignments Due Progress Report Memos 3 Due
Week 16: April 24- Presentations Presentations
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Assignments Due Final Projects Due in Class Thursday

Final Reflection Due Friday @ 5 pm