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E210/Business and Professional Writing, Dr. Michael O'Conner |
I will answer all course email and be grading assignments during these designated virtual office hours. Please do not expect more prompt replies to your emails prior to these designated set times.
E210 course goals: We will build on knowledge learned in previous writing courses in order to enhance business and professional writing skills. We will emphasize virtues and formats of various types of documents of particular importance in business writing. We will discuss and practice a range of oral communication techniques. Also, we will explore current trends and issues in business communications.
Strong communication skills (i.e., writing, speaking, listening) are vital tools for the consummate business professional. By participating fully in this course, you will develop the know-how necessary to present yourself--and, by extension, your future organization--successfully in a wide range of business situations. Through these course objectives, you will:
• Learn to analyze your audience/situation and set your writing objectives accordingly.
• Become familiar with a variety of writing formats through assigned case studies, including persuasive messages, business letters, memos, proposals, reports and evaluations. A substantial portion of this course will be dedicated to resumes and cover letters.
• Identify and implement the rhetorical strategies (e.g. positive emphasis, “you” attitude, old-to-new information flow) that will most effectively meet the expectations of your audience.
• Learn to evaluate, revise and edit your own work and the written work of your peers.
• Work in planning, researching, writing and presenting a substantial project.