English Language Studies Section

School of Humanities
Semester 1
Academic Year 2020/2021

HEK 216/3- Written Business Communication

1.0 COURSE SYNOPSIS

The course introduces professional communication in a business context. It explores

business texts and the various techniques involved in their production, interpretation and
consumption. The course develops knowledge and ability to deploy English in various
types of communication situations. It emphasizes the use of theoretical notions to achieve
practical results.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

1. explain key concepts in business communication (PO1, C2, LL)

2. practice the ability to write, edit and format a variety of business texts (PO2, C3,
CTPS3)
3. display teamwork and project management capabilities (PO9, A4, TS1)

3.0 LECTURER

Dr. Kumaran (Coordinator)

Office: C 20/ 104
 3873
 rkumaran@usm.my
Consultation: By appointment

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4.0 MEETINGS

Time Place
Lecture :
Wednesday 11am Online/DK F
Thursday 12pm Online/DK F
Tutorial :
Wednesday 1pm Online/BT
2pm Online/BT

5.0 COURSE SUBTOPICS

1. Concepts in Business Communication

2. Identity, Image and Reputation
3. Document Design
4. Writing Style
5. Internal Communication
6. Investor Relations
7. Media Relations
8. Crisis Communication

6.0 SCHEDULE

WEEK TOPIC NOTES

1 Introduction
14/10
2 Concepts in Business Communication
21/10
3 Image, Identity and Reputation
28/10
4 Document Design I
4/11
5 Document Design II
11/11
6 Writing Style I
18/11
7 Writing Style II Task (15%)
25/11
8 Mid-semester break
02/12

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 9 Investor Relations I
09/12
10 Investor Relations II
16/12
11 Media Relations I Presentation
23/12 (20%)
12 Media Relations II
30/12
13 Crisis Communication I
06/01
14 Crisis Communication II
13/01
15 Internal Communication Assignment
20/01 (25%)
(Due at noon on
20/01)

7.0 REFERENCES

Argenti, P. (2015). Corporate communication (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Argenti, P. & Forman, J. (2002). The power of corporate communication. New York:
McGraw-Hill.

Cardon, P. (2018). Business communication (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Coombs, T. (2014). Applied crisis communication and crisis management. Los Angeles:
Sage.

Cornelissen, J. (2017). Corporate communication (5th ed.). London: Sage Publications.

Einsohn, E. & Schwartz, A. (2000). The copyeditor’s handbook. Berkeley: University of

California Press.

Grussendorf, M. (2008). English for presentations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Newman, A. (2017). Business communication (10th ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning.

Seely, J. (2002). Writing reports. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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Williams, K., Krizan, A., Logan, J. & Merrier, P. (2011). Communicating in business (8th ed.).
Singapore: Cengage Learning.

8.0 COURSE EVALUATION

The course evaluation consists of:

Coursework 60%
Assignment 25%
Presentation 20%
Task 15%
Examination 40%
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Total 100%

9.0 ATTENDANCE

Students who do not come to three lectures or tutorials (except with a strong reason/
official letter) will be barred from the examination.
If the lecturer is fifteen minutes late, the lecture or tutorial is cancelled. A replacement
lecture or tutorial will be provided later.