10801195Written Communication
Course Information
Description
Develops workplace writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on workplace subject matter and content.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Establish the purpose and occasion of workplace writing
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    purpose encompasses subject, scope, and thesis
    purpose indicates primarily informative or persuasive approach
    purpose establishes the focus for a unified document
    purpose statement is free of confusion and contradictions
    stated purpose matches the assigned task

  2. Develop appropriate tone for a variety of professional audiences
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    you identify a specific audience
    you analyze the audience
    you apply intercultural communication skills and inclusive language
    you incorporate an analysis into documents

  3. Employ rhetorical strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term when criteria checklists call for specific rhetorical patterns
    Criteria
    document uses appropriate strategy(ies) (e.g. narrative, example, comparison and contrast)
    one strategy dominates the document (e.g. argumentative, analytic, informative)
    strategy matches task

  4. Use the writing process to generate ideas for professional documents
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    ideas are generated using accepted invention techniques, (e.g. outline, mapping, brainstorming)
    ideas are generated from analysis of text(s)
    sufficient ideas are generated to complete the task
    ideas are recorded
    you develop awareness and self-reflective understanding of the complex intersectionality of identities that impact perception of self and others

  5. Research outside sources
    Assessment Strategies
    through the completion of researched arguments and/or reports
    Criteria
    you locate a variety of appropriate sources
    document follows an accepted standard for documentation (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago)
    you use varied sources of information
    you differentiate between primary and secondary sources
    you extract information using a variety of methods, i.e., quotes, paraphrases, summaries
    you use accepted documentation standards

  6. Synthesize information from sources
    Assessment Strategies
    through the completion of researched arguments and/or reports
    Criteria
    document relies on multiple sources
    document presents relevant evidence from sources that is sufficient to the purpose, scope, and audience
    quotes and paraphrases retain the intent of the original document
    document presents concrete and accurate evidence from sources
    document integrates quoted and paraphrased information
    document distills source material into original statements
    document forms valid conclusions based on diverse viewpoints

  7. Organize content into business writing genres, including memos, letters, emails, simple research reports, and job search and application materials
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    document presents an organizational scheme suited to purpose and audience
    document displays distinct introduction, body, and conclusion
    document utilizes appropriate transitions
    document illustrates awareness of the international and local diversity of cultures, including immigrant experiences and linguistic diversity in the workplace
    document shows awareness and self-reflective understanding of the complex intersectionality of identities that impact perception of self and others in the workplace

  8. Revise drafts to create polished, concise business documents
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    final text incorporates ideas generated in earlier steps
    final text relies on concrete support
    final text includes necessary documentation
    final text's tone matches document's purpose
    final text selects language for the specific audience (concrete, abstract)
    final text uses ideas that are clearly related to thesis
    final text emphasizes ideas of greatest importance
    final text is free of confusion and contradiction
    final text states or clearly implies a thesis
    final text is concise

  9. Design documents according to business format conventions
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    you produce the document format appropriate to audience, purpose, content, and situation
    document appearance conforms to specified standards for format
    document design contributes to readability

  10. Participate in document peer editing
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    you evaluate credibility of sources of feedback
    you respond to/gives feedback in a language that is inclusive and respectful
    you discriminate between valid and invalid criticism
    you identify specific aspects of current draft influenced by reader- and/or self-assessment
    document incorporates valid criticism in revision

  11. Edit document based on conventions of standard English
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    you verify English usage against conventional standards (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage)