10106106Business Writing and Research
Course Information
Description
Apply effective writing strategies to compose employment-related correspondence including business letters, memos, informal reports, and formal reports. Learn to use correct-order writing plans as well as appropriate tone, etiquette, and style. Apply writing, researching, and critical thinking skills in the context of real business writing scenarios. Reinforcement of grammar, punctuation, and proofreading will be integrated throughout the course.
Total Credits
3

Course Competencies
  1. Explore the writing process
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    by submitting completed assignments
    Criteria
    you explore the business document planning process
    you explore the business document writing process
    you explore the business document completing process
    assignments include a definition of the purpose of the document
    assignments include an audience profile
    assignments include revisions of written examples
    assignments include completed documents
    assignments exhibit correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  2. Apply proofreading and editing rules
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting punctuation application worksheets
    by submitting grammar application worksheets
    by submitting original business documents using correct punctuation
    by submitting original business documents using correct grammar
    Criteria
    you apply punctuation rules to workshhets
    you apply grammar rules to worksheets
    you apply punctuation rules to your writing
    you apply grammar rules to your writing

  3. Write business memorandums
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a written "good news" business memo
    by submitting a written "bad news" business memo
    by submitting an informative memo
    Criteria
    you follow the three step writing process (plan, writing, revising)
    memorandum is formatted correctly using business standards addressed in class
    memorandum includes a clearly stated purpose
    memorandum includes supporting details and information for the purpose
    memorandum has appropriate tone for the intended audience
    memorandum is well organized
    memorandum follows correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules

  4. Write business emails
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing and editing specified emails
    Criteria
    you follow the three step writing process (plan, writing, revising)
    email includes a clearly stated purpose
    email includes supporting details and information for the main purpose
    email follows the appropriate rules of business etiquette
    email is well organized
    email follows correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules

  5. Write business letters
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a written "good news" business letter
    by submitting a written "bad news" business letter
    by submitting an informative letter
    Criteria
    you follow the three step writing process (plan, writing, revising)
    letter follows standard business format
    letter includes a clearly stated purpose
    letter includes supporting details and information for the purpose
    letter is formatted correctly using block or semi-block format
    letter is well organized
    letter follows correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules
    letter has appropriate tone for the intended audience

  6. Evaluate electronic resources
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing an evaluation of selected web sites
    by completing an evaluation of selected electronic resources
    Criteria
    you search for specified web pages and databases
    evaluation includes the credentials of electronic resource author
    evaluation includes timely and up-to-date resources
    evaluation includes a description of bias (if any)

  7. Plan a search strategy
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a search strategy on a selected subject
    Criteria
    search strategy includes the use of several search engines
    search strategy includes the use of several web directories
    search strategy includes the use of several online web databases
    search strategy includes the keywords used in searching the web
    search strategy includes the Boolean terms and other search limiters used in searching the web

  8. Compose business reports
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing a business informational report
    Criteria
    you follow the three step writing process (plan, writing, revising)
    informational report includes a definition of the problem
    informational report includes a sketch of the history of the problem
    informational report includes an analysis of the problem
    informational report includes a description of viable solutions
    informational report identifies the solution most likely to solve the problem
    informational report includes an explanation of why the solution is the best
    informational report is well organized
    informational report follows correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules