SYLLABUS FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Analysis of Com. for Business (105)
Dr. G. Jay Christensen, CECC, CFRW
Business 105
Fall Semester, 2006--Day--10 a.m., 11 a.m. Also, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Tues./Thurs. should read this first page.

Booher, Dianna. E-Writing: 21st Century Tools for Effective Communication. New York:

Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2001 (paper).

Christensen, G. Jay. Expanded Syllabus for Bus. Com. Northridge: California State

University, Northridge Bookstore Printshop, n.d

Guffey, Mary Ellen. E-book--Business Communication: Process and Product. 5th ed.

Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western College Publishing, An International Thomson

Publishing Company, 2006.

Course Objectives

The following objectives based on previous thoughts of the business communication faculty affect us:

1. Listen, read and comprehend
2. Paraphrase and summarize information
3. Distinguish between facts, assumptions, and opinions
4. Respond appropriately in a clear and concise fashion (oral and written)
5. Synthesize information from different sources
6. Organize information to support conclusions
7. Use an appropriate format and business writing style and apply conventions to Standard English
8. Document and cite sources to avoid plagiarism.
   
   

Students should complete English 155 and Computers 100 before registering for business communications.

Supplies: 2 3 1/2 DS, HD disks for IBM (could be purchased from computer room vending machine); disks used for Inspiration Software, MS Word, and MS Excel, as well as WEB and Internet applications

NOTE; On each assignment you must include the first ethics statement as outlined under "Policies for Classroom Success and Hints." You must sign and date every single ethics statement turned in. Unfortunately, points will be deducted for not including and signing as well as dating the ethics statement.

NOTE: Your first assignment and all others will be graded one half for content/style (top score) and one half for mechanics (bottom score). Grading means a 13-point scale: 13-12-11 (Grade A); 10-9-8 (Grade B); 7-6-5 (Grade C); 4-3-2 (Grade D); 1 (Grade F); and 0 (too many errors to count). The bottom mechanics score, including grammar, punctuation, mechanical friction, spelling, violation of word division rules, form and font, and following directions, starts at "9" for the first mechanical error and decreases one number for each additional mistake. I assume college students should not be making mechanical errors and forgetting to correct them. Therefore, please PROOFREAD. Also, white-out corrections are not acceptable on any assignment and will be penalized.

In addition, a student should not ask to give a presentation on a day that is not scheduled.

Plus-Minus

The plus-minus grading will not be used in writing the final grades on the university's grade sheets. Please keep a DELETIONARY all semester on 5 x 3 cards, and make daily as well as weekly entries with dates. The deletionary includes misused and overused words and phrases. The deletionary includes the date of entry, the error in a sentence context, and the suggested correction. Each card contains a separate entry. Also, make copies of all assignments from the listening memo on for your protection.

Week 1 (September 6 and 8)

Survey of students. Comments on How to Use Texts. How to Use Web and Internet for the Guffey textbook and my home pages. Comments on computer availability. Explanation of Deletionary. Conversations.

My immediate authorization: PLEASE FIND A BUSINESS REPORT TOPIC AND A NETWORKING CONTACT. The report topic has to meet the criteria contained in the purchased syllabus.

Possible Thomson Representative Presentation on Effective Use of E-book

Homework: Listening Memo (with talking captions for every major paragraph)

Assignment due on Wednesday, September 13: final keyboarded listening memo (for current week, not a backdated listening experience of a previous semester) with required talking captions, double spacing between paragraphs (only). and proper memo format. Check Web and Text for additional comments about writing memos. Memo must include the following, in addition to the instructions in the purchased syllabus:

First paragraph with time of conversation, place of meeting, date of conversation, and other circumstances
Answers to all of Adler's questions in narrative form
Summation paragraph of what was learned about your own listening habits.
Use only a listening experience from the beginning of this semester. Others will not be accepted.

Explanation of Talking Captions
Videotape: Power of Listening (tentative)--September 11 in BB2228

Readings:

Guffey: Chap. 3 in "Workplace Listening and Nonverbal Communication" (Web pages on memo writing, listening, talking captions, e-mail, and conversation as well). Booher: Chap. 1, "Select the Right Medium to Communicate."

Week 2 (September 11, 13, and 15)

Videotape: "Memo Mania: Any Cure?"
Slides on "Miracles in Effective Communication" (tentative)
Exercises from Elements of Business Writing--see Syllabus
10 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Elements of Style Exercises
Return of Listening Assignment

Readings:

Web pages on spelling, listening, jargon and gobbledygook. Booher: Chap. 4, "Aim to Get Attention for Your Own E-mail" and Chap. 8, "Counterproductive Communication Habits.” Chap. 5: Guffey: "Writing Process Phase 1: Analyze, Anticipate, Adapt."

Week 3 (September 18, 20, and 22))

Due September 15: Listening Assignment II
Introduction to the Business Letter
Special Case: The Application Letter (A-I-D/C-A)

Transparencies: Example of Application Letters

Videotape: Strictly Speaking--September 20 in BB2228 ten.
Introduction to World Wide Web Resources, including Web CT, E-book

Due Friday: Final draft of application letter, actual inside address, enclosure notation, and business format); networking 3 x 5 card (in ink) of networking contact, job title, name of organization, any other pertinent information as well as your name and class hour

Due Friday: five printouts of Web pages (two Guffey pages other than home or site index), one page of my syllabus (not syllabus, assignments, office hours or grading), and one search engine home page (e.g. Google, Altavista, Excite, Hotbot (Lycos), Webcrawler, Yahoo, Ask (www.ask.com), and so forth; one page of E-book, selected chapter

Note: Professors are only used on networking card (by permission of instructor).

Readings:

Guffey: pp. 565-80, "Communicating Across Cultures" (Chap. 4), and "Writing Process Phase 3: Revise, Proofread, Evaluate (Chap. 7). Booher: Chap. 16, "Edit for Conciseness" and Chap. 17, "Edit for Style." Web pages on grammar and punctuation, English as Second Language (ESL), and search engines as well as Hotlinks for studying the Proficiency Exam materials.

Week 4 (September 25, 27, and 29)

In-class preparation of Report Progress Memo
Explanation of Lab Use
Approval of Report Topics
Comments on Resume Preparation

Due Friday (some work in classroom): Typed Report Progress

Memo

Readings:

Web pages on memos, miscellaneous thoughts, and talking captions. Booher: Chap. 14, “Edit for Grammar.” Guffey: "Communicating at Work" (Chap. 1).

Week 5(October 2, 4, and 6)

Importance of Power Networking and Possible Verbal Networking
Videotape: Networking as seen by Drake, Beam, and Morin
Note: See the Web and Text for comments and questions to use in networking.



Bring first four pages of Jargon link photocopied to class everyday.
Introduction to Career Search Process
Designing the Networking Interview
Writing the Networking/Informational Interview Memo
Comments on Report Topics
Application of Principles of Clear Writing to Networking Memo

Assignment due on Friday: final, keyboarded networking/informational interview memo; talking captions for every major paragraph; keyboarded interview questions; names of at least two more people to network with; required reaction to your resume from networked person; blow-by-blow description in the career memo of what occurred during informational interview; attached resume

Don't forget to attach cards by making photocopies of two more business cards or addresses of other contacts, in addition to the main contact.

Note: The resume will receive a separate score. The thank-you letter is now required. It needs a complete return and inside address as well as all other parts of the letter. The thank-you letter will receive a separate grade and must be mailed to the interviewee at the time of assignment turn-in. A notation must be placed in the upper right-hand corner of when the letter was exactly mailed

Additional Points

For additional points you can do an electronic resume attached to e-mail and hard copy. You may also do a web portfolio, professional philosophy, and at least seven linked pages for additional points.

Readings:

Web pages on letters, networking, resumes and employment communications, and job interviewing. Guffey: "Employment Communication" (Chap. 16).

Week 6 (October 9, 11, and 13)

Lecture (with slides and transparencies): "Requisites of a Well-Written Problem and Introduction to Report Writing"
Videotape: "Eureka: Defining the Report Problem"
Examples of Government and Other Types of Reports
In-Class Exercises
Explanation of Mindmap
In-class: Writing Parts of Proposal Memo

Readings:

Web pages on Analytical Report Memo. Web pages from Kathryn Troutman: www.tenstepsforstudents.org; www.tenstepsforstudents.org/pages/builder_ksa.html. Guffey: "Preparing to Write Business Reports." Booher: Chap. 9, “Consider Your Audience,” Chap. 10, “Anticipate Special Reader Reactions,” Chap. 11, “Outline Your Message Functionally (to p. 109)and Chap. 20, “Service and Inspection Reports. Guffey: "Typical Business Reports"(pp. 421-41). On reserve (selected): Ten Steps to a Federal Resume by Kathryn Troutman (Fourth Floor of Oviatt)

Assignment Due on Friday: KSA from Federal Job Announcement (just one), including KSA, Vacancy Announcement Number, Your name, made-up Social Security Number (SSN); printout of Federal announcement part with KSA; one page typed with margins, paragraphs, and spacing between of CCAR (Context, Challenge, Action, and Results and at least two different circumstances at work for the CCAR); "bolding" of each keyword in the vacancy announcement

Week 7 (October 16, 18, and 20)

• Videotape: "Elements of a Well-Written Report--A Conversation" with Ernst Jacobi
• Explanations of Responsiveness and Relevancy
• Explanations of Tone, Level, and Content
• Discussion of Substance
How to Write a Proposal Memo (with examples)



Assignment due on Friday: keyboarded proposal memo, including detailed purpose, your qualifications for writing the report, problem as question, own and organizational benefits, estimated costs of supplies, travel, and own time; feedback questions; any attachments to clarify

Readings:

Web pages on inspiration and analytical report memo. Booher: Chap. 11 (pp. 109-25). Guffey: Chap. 14, "Proposals and Formal Reports," pp. 464-73 and pp. 163-72, "Writing Process Phase 2."

Week 8 (October 23, 25, and 27)

Additional Explanations of Mindmaps
Introduction to Databases and Library Resources


Tentative: Library Presentations for Two Days


Assignment due on Monday : mindmap and outline on computer paper (with Inspiration Software) and accompanying topic outline about report topic development


NOTE: This assignment may be graded partially on your creative ability and your use of right brain thinking. It is important to have myriad topics.
Introduction to Writing Questions

Readings:

Web pages on proposal writing, situational ethics, Questions, Questions, and More Questions, business plans. Booher: Chap. 23, "Proposals."

Week 9 (October 30, November 1 and 3)

Introduction to Writing Questions Con.
Construction of Well-Written Question
Designing the Instrument
Transparencies: Examples of Instruments Understanding the Format for the First Report Memo Paragraphs
Introduction to Readability Indexes
• Bring newspaper or magazine article every day.

Readings:

Guffey: pp. 399-406 (Chap. 12). Booher: Chap. 24, “Websites.” Web pages on questions, questions, and more questions as well as review of search engines. Erdos, Professional Mail Surveys(on reserve): Chaps. 6, 7, and 12. Dillman, Mail and Telephone Surveys. Guffey: pp. 197-200, "Revising for Readability."

Week 10 (November 6 and 8)

• Analytical Report Memo (with transparencies)
• Writing Purposes
• Writing Scope and Limitations
• Writing Procedures (Methodology)

Assignment due on Monday, November 13: Annotated bibliography (including Database Used for each entry) for Proposed Report. You must include at least 10 references. Two must be journals; two must be newspapers. Two must be books; One must be the Internet. Two can be magazines. Arrange your references alphabetically and space appropriately between entries. Use the Turabian format (unless cleared with your instructor). Entitle the pages: SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. Center the heading, and double space between the entries, not the lines of each entry.

Note: When you see the word, Turabian, immediately go to the Web site about bibliography ("Make Selected References Work for You") or your syllabus and find Kate L. Turabian listed alphabetically ("Books and Selected References"). That is the style manual you use as a format to prepare each bibliographical entry. We will also talk about footnote and bibliographical entries in class.

Readings

Review web pages analytical report memo, readability, and make your references count (bibliography). Booher: Chap. 12, “Develop the First Draft Quickly.” Guffey: "Organizing and Writing Typical Business Reports" (Chap. 13) and pp. A41-46 (Appendix).

Week 11 (November 13, 15, and 17)

Assignment due on Friday : keyboarded first five paragraphs of analytical report memo (including issue (problem), purpose, definition of terms, scope and limitations, alternatives--procedures); memo format of To, From, Date, Subject; three indexes (Gunning Fog-100 words; Lazy Word-75-125 words, one sample, with exceptions; Linsear Write-100 words) with calculations

Readability: Recognizing the Indexes and Level
Recognizing Logical Fallacies and Introduction to Reasoning
Lecture: "How to Write Considerations, Analysis, and Decision(s)"
Tentative: Videotape on Time-Life Video, "Purpose and Audience"
Videotape: "Show Me the Data"

Readings

Web pages on tables and charts. Guffey: Chap. 12, "Preparing to Write Business Reports, pp. 379-98. Weaver and Weaver: Persuasive Writing(on reserve, Fourth Floor, Oviatt)--pp. 102-05 and pp. 96-102.

Week 12 (November 20 and 22)

Lecture: "Visually Presenting the Report with Tables and Charts (attachments)" Grappling with Graphics and Cheating by Charting Requirements for Visual Assignment

Videotape: "Show Me the Data"

Readings:

Review web pages on tables and charts. Booher: Chap. 13, “Edit for Content and Layout.” Review Chap. 13: "Organizing and Writing Typical Reports," in Guffey.

Week 13 (November 27, 29, and December 1)

Assignment due on Monday, November 27 : Case 12.14, p. 419, Guffey "Evaluating Graphics", with additions. Make sure you select two tables and two different charts (e.g. bar and pie). You may make photocopies or printouts (if clear).

Prepare the memo in memo format, along with talking captions. Use all criteria from Tufte explained on the Web under "Tables and Charts Enhance Reports." Attach additional criteria sheet you devised. Make sure additional criteria apply separately to charts and separate criteria to the tables. Be extremely critical in your memo of the charts and tables you chose. Don't assume they are good charts or tables.

Do not use averages charts from the Wall Street Journal or hard-to-view charts with meaningless data. Select your tables and charts carefully from business magazines or newspapers. Mount the charts and tables of separate attachments. Ask the professor if your choices meet the criteria.

• Time-Life Videos: Effective Organization and Effective Editing
• Lecture: "Principles of Writing Well-Written Report Summaries (with transparencies)"
• How to Write Executive Summary
• Bring Printed pages of Web on Executive Summaries to class each day.
• How to Prepare the Transmittal (Cover) Memo

Due Friday : Executive Summary of Syllabus analytical report; Take the Analytical Report in the Syllabus (as assigned in class), and write an executive summary of the document. Make sure you follow the pattern that is discussed on the Web under "Executive Summaries." Double space the copy and provide about two pages. Number the pages with small Roman numerals, such as i. and ii. Include four bulleted points and a summary sentence at the end of the Executive Summary; transmittal memo of proposed report.

Readings

Web pages on e-mail and proofreading. Booher: Chap. 22, “Formal Technical Reports.” Check all appropriate Syllabus pages.

Week 14 (December 4, 6, and 8)

Explanation of E-Mail and Internet Assignment

Issues in the Sexual Harassment Memo (Office Politics)

Due on Friday : keyboarded sexual harassment memo case

• Introduction to Giving a Presentation
• Factors in a Power Presentation
• Practice with Writing Opening and Closing Lines
• Videotape: Persuasive Speaking
• Beginnings of Presentations

Readings

Web pages on presentations. Booher: Chap. 2, “Follow the Rules of E-mail Etiquette,” Chap. 3, “Compose Clear, To-The-Point Messages,” Chap. 4, “Aim to Get Attention for Your Own E-mail,” Chap. 6, “Become Savvy about E-mail Mechanics,” and Chap. 7, “Make Sure You’re Legal.” Guffey: "Speaking with Confidence" (Chap. 15) and Chap. 8, "Routine E-mail Messages and Memos."

Week 15 (December 11, 13, and 15)

• Possible Presentations

Assignment due on Wednesday: e-mail assignment (one of Alternate 7 assignments selected or Case 8.9, p. 243, Guffey). Include both hard copy to the instructor and e-mail wired to the professor no later than the end of class that day (Wednesday, e.g. 10:50 a.m. for 10 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. for 11 a.m.). Points will be deducted for late e-mails.

NOTE Assignment due on Friday: The entire DELETIONARY and the deletionary memo have to be turned in with a manila envelope, along with a typed memo explaining how the mechanics were specifically improved during the semester. Add specific examples from your writing (before and after).

Business Building 4214. Probably 2:30-3:30 p.m. MWF.
Telephone (818-677-2418) or voice mail. Other office hours by appointment.
E-mail: jay.christensen@csun.edu
. Always the fastest and better than telephone message.
Web page: (http://www.csun.edu/~vcecn006/index.html)--51 some links

55% Weekly assignments(as determined by the instructor), including Application and Thank-You Letters
30% Networking Memo, Graphics Assignment, Sexual Harassment Case
15% Final, Probable Presentation, E-mail Case

Final Exam Schedule

10 a.m. class: Wednesday, December 20, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 a.m.
11 a.m. class: Monday, December 18, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 a.m.
3:30-4:45 class: Thursday, December 21, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Note: The final is subject to change from a traditional final to an oral presentation (with visual aids, not including handouts, topic to be announced) of your report, depending on the size of the class.

---

Analysis of Com. for Business
Dr. G. Jay Christensen, CECC, CFRW
Business 105
Fall Semester, 2006--Day, 3:30-4:45 p.m. TTH

Week 1 (September 5 and 7)

Survey of students. Comments on How to Use Texts. How to Use Web and Internet for the Guffey textbook and my home pages as well as Web CT. Comments on computer availability. Explanation of Deletionary. Conversations.

My immediate authorization: PLEASE FIND A BUSINESS REPORT TOPIC AND A NETWORKING CONTACT. The report topic has to meet the criteria contained in the purchased syllabus.

Thomson Representative Explanation about Using E-book Effectively
Explanation of Talking Captions
Explanation of First Assignment
Explanation of Computer As Writing Tool

Readings

Booher: Chap. 1, "Select the Right Medium to Communicate." Guffey: "Workplace Communication and Nonverbal Communication" (Chap. 3). Web pages on memo writing, listening, talking captions, e-mail, and conversation.

Week 2 (September 12 and 14) BRING DISKETTES EVERY WEEK.

Assignment due, Thursday, September 14: final keyboarded listening memo with required talking captions, double spacing between paragraphs (only), and proper memo format. The memo must include the following, in addition to the instructions in the purchased syllabus:

First paragraph with time of conversation, place of meeting, and other circumstances
Answers to all of Adler's questions in narrative form (See Web)
Summation paragraph of what was learned about your own listening habits.
Use only a listening experience from the beginning of this semester. Others will not be accepted.

Assignment due: networking 3 x 5 card (in ink) of networking contact, job title, name of organization, any other pertinent information as well as your name, class hour, and date

Videotape (tentative): The Power of Listening
"Miracles in Effective Communication"
Videotape: "Memo Mania: Any Cure?"
Exercises from Elements of Business Writing (on computer). Bring Blake & Bly printouts.
Introduction to the Business Letter
Introduction to World Wide Web Resources
Computer Practice with Manipulating Web Pages
Possible Syllabus Questions as Warmup
Housekeeping on the Listening Memo Collection of 5 x 3 card on Networking Contact

Readings:

Web pages on listening, spelling, proofreading, jargon and gobbledygook, and talking captions. Guffey: "Communicating Across Cultures" (Chap. 4)and "Writing Process Phase 3: Revise, Proofread, Evaluate (Chap. 7). Booher: Chap. 16, "Edit for Conciseness."

Week 3 (September 19 and 21)

Special Case: The Application Letter (A-I-D/C-A)

Transparencies: Examples of Application Letters In-class: Composing Different Paragraphs
Review of Business Letter Parts

Videotape: Strictly Speaking
If time: Practice in Writing Persuasive Communication (parts of application letter)
If time: Introduction to Power Networking
Possible Quickie Quiz of Syllabus Parts or Appropriate E-book

Readings:

Guffey: "Persuasive and Sales Messages, pp. 298-310" (Chap. 10) and pp. 565-80. Web pages on grammar and punctuation, letters, and search engines as well as Hotlinks for studying the Proficiency Exam materials. Booher: Chap. 17, "Edit for Style" and Chap. 14, "Edit for Grammar."

Week 4 (September 26 and 28) BRING DISKETTES EVERY WEEK.

Practice with Microsoft Applications and the Web (Word)
In-Class preparation of Report Progress Memo--Lab JH(Juniper Hall)2228
If time: Start writing First Chapter.
Bring IBM diskettes and report ideas all week
Entire class periods needed for printing of documents
Transparency/Web Viewing of Power Networking

Due: five printouts of Web pages (two Guffey--not home page or index site), one page of my Web sites (not Syllabus, Assignments, Grading, Office Hours, or Home Page), and one search engine Home Page (e.g. Google, Excite, Altavista, Hotbot, DejaNews, Webcrawler, Snap.com, Ask (www.ask.com), Yahoo, and so forth); one page of E-book, selected chapter Final draft of application letter, actual inside address, enclosure notation, and businesslike format.

Readings:

Web pages on miscellaneous thoughts, networking, memos, and talking captions. Guffey: Chap. 4: "Communicating Across Cultures"and Chap. 1: "Communicating at Work."

Week 5 (October 3 and 5)

Due Tuesday: Typed Report Progress Memo (see Syllabus for example)

Introduction to Federal Resume Link, www.usajobs.opm.gov
Importance of Power Networking and Possible Verbal Networking
Designing the Networking Interview (transparencies and Web site)
Writing the Networking/Informational Interview Memo
Video: The Networking Process (Drake, Beam, Morin)
Comments on Career Search Preparation
Comments on Report Topics
If time: Practice with Thank-You Letter


Note: Bring first four pages of Jargon link photocopied to class every week, starting this week.
Note: Check the Web for networking questions and ideas for the assignment.

Readings:

Web pages on networking, resumes and employment communications, and job interviewing. Guffey: "Employment Communication" (Chap. 16).

Week 6 (October 10 and 12)

Assignment due, Thursday, October 12: final, keyboarded networking/informational interview memo (close to six-seven pages); talking captions for every major paragraph; keyboarded interview questions, the typed traditional resume; names of at least two more people to network with; required reaction to your resume from networked person; blow-by-blow description in the career memo of what occurred during informational interview; required thank-you letter with proper return and inside address, along with other letter parts; attached resume

Don't forget to attach cards by making photocopies of two more business cards or addresses of other contacts, in addition to the main contact.

Note: The thank-you letter will receive a separate grade. The resume will be given a separate score. The thank-you letter needs a complete return and inside address as well as all other parts of the letter. The letter must be mailed to the interviewee by the time of assignment turn-in. Please write in the upper right-hand corner the date the letter was actually sent. For additional points you can do an electronic resume attached to e-mail and hard copy as well. You may also do a web portfolio, professional philosophy, at least seven linked pages, and qualifications summary for additional points.

For additional points you can do an electronic resume attached to e-mail and hard copy. You may also do a web portfolio, professional philosophy, and at least seven linked pages for additional points. You may also do additional KSAs from the Federal job you would apply for (Limit: 3)

Lecture (with slides and transparencies): "Requisites of a Well-Written Problem and Introduction to Report Writing"
Videotape: "Eureka: Defining the Report Problem"
Difference between Informational and Analytical Report
Examples of Government and Other Types of Reports
The Structure of an Analytical Memo Report
How to Write a Proposal Memo (with examples and overhead required)
Additional In-class Practice with Federal Web sites and KSAs

Readings:

Web pages on analytical report memo. Web pages from Kathryn Troutman: www.tenstepsforstudents.org; www.tenstepsforstudents.org/pages/builder_ksa.html. Guffey: "Preparing to Write Business Reports" (Chap. 12) and "Organizing and Writing Types of Reports", pp. 421-41(Chap. 13). Booher: Chapter 9, "Consider Your Audience," Chap. 11, "Outline Your Message Functionally (to p. 109) and Chap. 20, "Service and Inspection Reports." On reserve (selected): Ten Steps to a Federal Resume by Kathryn Troutman (Fourth Floor of Oviatt)

Week 7 (October 17 and 19)

Practice with Mindmaps and Outlines at Juniper Hall 2228 with 2 IBM disks
Bring all ideas on how to develop your report topic.
Be sure to read web pages on Inspiration.

Assignment due, Thursday, October 19: KSA from Federal Job Annoucement (just one), including KSA, Vacancy Announcement Number, Your name, made-up Social Security Number (SSN); printout of Federal announcement part with KSA; one page typed with margins, paragraphs, and spacing between of CCAR (Context, Challenge, Action, and Results and at least two different circumstances at work for the CCAR); "bolding" of keywords in vacancy announcement

Readings:

Web pages on inspiration and analytical report memo. Guffey: Chap. 6, "Organizing and Writing Business Messages." Booher: Chap. 11 (pp. 109-25).

Week 8 (October 24 and 26)

Assignment due, Thursday, October 26: mindmap and outline on computer paper (with Inspiration Software) and accompanying noun outline about report topic development;

Note: The mindmap assignment may be graded partially on your creative ability and use of right brain thinking for the mindmap. It is important to cover the page and have myriad topics.

If time: Start Composition of Proposal Memo.
Introduction to Databases
Lecture (with transparencies): "Criteria for Writing an Effective Survey Question"



Practice with Bibliographical Entries from Web ("Make Your References Work for You")
Videotape: "Report Writing--A Conversation with Ernest Jacobi"
Understanding the Format for the First Memo Paragraphs
Writing Purposes
Writing Scope and Limitations and Procedures
Introduction to Readability Indexes


Note: Bring newspaper or magazine article to class that night for readability index exercise. DO NOT FORGET.

Readings:

Web pages on proposal writing, search engines, and business plans. Guffey: "Proposals and Formal Reports" (Chap. 14). Booher: Chap. 23, "Proposals."

Week 9 (October 31 and November 2)

Tentative: Special Information Week in Library (Instructor: Karen Anderson)

Assignment Due, November 2: keyboarded proposal memo (including detailed purpose, your qualifications for writing the report, problem as a question, own and organizational benefits, estimated cost of supplies, travel, and your own time, and any attachments to clarify); feedback questions; any attachments to clarify

Readings:

Web pages on Questions, Questions, and more Questions and Make Your References Count. Erdos, Professional Mail Surveys (on reserve): Chaps. 6, 7, and 12. Dillman, Mail and Telephone Surveys(on reserve): Chap. 3. Guffey: Chap. 14, "Proposals and Formal Reports", pp. 464-73 and pp. 163-72, "Writing Process Phase 2." and "Preparing to Write Business Reports" (Chap. 12). Booher: Chap. 24, "Websites."

Week 10 (November 7 and 9)

Assignment due, Thursday, November 9: Annotated bibliography (including Database Used for each entry) for Proposed Report. You must include at least 10 references. Two must be journals or peer-reviewed publications; two must be newspapers. Two must be books (recent); one must be from the Internet. Please do not use textbooks from the class. Two can be magazines. Arrange your references alphabetically and space appropriately between entries. Use the Turabian format (unless cleared with your instructor). Entitle the pages: SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. Center the heading, and double space between the entries (not between the entry lines).

Note: When you see the word, Turabian, don't immediately panic. That is the name of the style manual that will be used to prepare your bibliographical entries. Look on the web site on the home page and find "Make Selected References Work for You" or the syllabus to discover the alphabetical listing for Kate L. Turabian. Note that her style manual will help you prepare each bibliographical entry. We will also talk about bibliographical entries in class as well.

Recognizing Logical Fallacies and Introduction to Reasoning
Lecture: "How to Write Considerations, Analysis, and Decision(s)"
Videotape from Effective Writing for Executives: Purpose and Audience
Video: "Show Me the Data"

Readings:

Web pages on make your references count (bibliography), readability, and article summaries. Guffey: "Preparing to Write Business Reports" (Chap. 12). Booher: Chap. 12, "Develop the First Draft Quickly."

Week 11 (November 14 and 16)

Due, Thursday, November 16: keyboarded first five paragraphs of the analytical report memo (including issue (problem), purpose, definition of terms, scope and limitations, and procedures (alternatives), and three readability indexes (Gunning Fog--100 words; Lazy Word--75-125 words, one sample, with exceptions; Linsear Write--100 words; all calculations for each index shown); keyboarded, printed, or photocopied questionnaire or keyboarded interview guide(s) or both (depending on data to be gathered); keyboarded memo or cover letter (if questionnaire is sent through mail or distributed by someone other than you); and ways to follow up if respondents are slow in answering. Memo format must be To, From, Date, Subject for first page only. Other pages are To, Page, and Date. Keyboarded questions for gathering the data and explanation of statistics to be used. Don't forget readability indexes.

Excel work and printing--Lab Work 2228(Juniper Hall)
Exercises to Understand Use of Excel for Tables and Charts (bring 2 IBM disks)
Using Tables and Charts
Prepare one table and one chart of different data from the exercise given.

Readings:

Web pages on tables and charts. Weaver and Weaver, Persuasive Writing: pp. 96-102, 102-05. Guffey: pp. 188-91.

Week 12 (November 21)

Lecture: "Visually Presenting the Report with Tables and Charts (attachments)"
Video: "Show Me the Data"
Video from Effective Writing for Executives: Effective Organization and
Lecture: "Principles of Writing Well-Written Report Summaries (with transparencies)"
How to Prepare the Transmittal (Cover) Memo
How to Write the Executive Summary

Readings

Review web pages on tables and charts as well as hints on giving a fine presentation. Booher: Chap. 13, "Edit for Content and Layout." Review Chap. 13: "Organizing and Writing Typical Reports," in Guffey.

Week 13 (November 28 and 30)

Assignment due, November 28: Case 12.14, p. 419, Guffey, "Evaluating Graphics," with additions. Make sure you select two tables and two different charts (e.g. bar and pie). You may make photocopies or printouts (if clear).

Prepare the memo in memo format, along with talking captions. Use all criteria from Tufte explained on the Web under "Tables and Charts Enhance Reports." Attach additional criteria sheet you devised. Make sure additional criteria apply to charts and separate criteria to the tables. Be extremely critical in your memo of the charts and tables you chose. Don't assume they are good charts or tables.

Do not use averages charts, including high, low, and close from The Wall Street Journal. Select your tables and charts carefully from business magazines or newspapers, such as Fortune and Business Week. Mount the charts and tables as separate attachments. Ask the professor if your choices meet the criteria.

Grappling with Graphics and Cheating by Charting
Video (if time): Effective Editing
Charting Exercise (Zelazny)


Explanation of E-Mail and Internet Assignment
How to Prepare the Transmittal Memo
Issues in the Sexual Harassment Memo (Office Politics)
Introduction to Giving a Presentation
Factors in Power Presentation
Practice with Writing Opening and Closing Lines on Computer

Also due, November 30: Take the Analytical Report in the Syllabus (as given by your instructor), and write an executive summary of the document. Make sure you follow the pattern that is discussed on the Web under "Executive Summaries." Double space the copy and provide about two pages with heading, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Number the pages with small Roman numerals, such as i. and ii. Include four bulleted points at the end of the Executive Summary (summary within a summary

Readings

Guffey: "Speaking with Confidence" (Chap. 15). Review Web pages on presentation skills. Booher: Chap. 22, "Formal Technical Reports."

Week 14 (December 5 and 7)

Videotape: Persuasive Speaking
Beginnings of Presentations (topic to be announced)

Assignment due, Thursday, December 7: keyboarded sexual harassment memo case

Readings

Review web pages on memos as well as the Syllabus. Booher: Chap. 2, "Follow the Rules of E-mail Etiquette," Chap. 3, "Compose Clear, To-The-Point Messages," Chap. 4, "Aim to Get Attention for Your Own E-mail," Chap. 6, "Become Savvy about E-mail Mechanics," and Chap. 7, "Make Sure You're Legal."

Week 15 (December 12 and 14)

Continuation of Presentations

Assignment due, December 12: one e-mail assignment (two of Alternate 7 assignments selected or Case 8.9, p. 243, Guffey). Include both hard copy to the instructor and e-mail wired to the professor no later than 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12. Points will be deducted for late e-mails.