ENGL 202D (GWS) Effective Writing: Business Writing (3): Writing reports and other common forms of business communication. (A student may take only one course for credit from ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D.) Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030; fourth-semester standing
Overview
English 202D teaches writing strategies and tactics that business managers and executives will need in order to write successfully on the job. In this course you will be expected to read a great deal of material, conduct research, and write and revise different kinds of business documents.
The course will be structured primarily around rhetorical principles (e.g., audience) and key conceptual areas (e.g., problem solving). At times, however, for the purposes of simplification it will be organized around genres (e.g., the analytical report). The course is divided into 13 lessons.
So how are we going to do this?
This course is cohort-based, which means that there is an established start and end date and that you will interact with other students throughout the course. A course Web site contains the online "lectures" and communications tools, such as a message board and e-mail system.
The course is 15 weeks in length. You will have one week to work through each lesson. Within each lesson you will find online lecture material, as well as reading assignments and both individual and group activities. The lessons of study are all located within our password-protected course Web site, under the "Course Content" link.
What will be expected of you, the student?
Like taking a course on campus, it will be important to keep up with the course work, as you will be required to participate in online class discussions and activities that have specific time frames associated with them. As in resident instruction, we assume students will spend at least 12-15 hours per week (lesson) on a three-credit course offered over 15 weeks. For a more detailed look at what each lesson will entail, as well as due dates for our assignments and activities, please refer to the semester-specific course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Major Assignments and Course Schedule").
NOTE: Your instructor may use the "Comments" tool in Microsoft Word to respond to your writing. To view and receive these comments, you must choose "Markup" from the "View" pulldown menu in MS Word. The words "Final Showing Markup" will appear in the reviewing toolbar above your document.
Course Objectives
Students can expect to:
- Discover and understand the discourse features that distinguish their disciplinary and institutional communities from others.
- Develop a range of writing processes appropriate to various writing tasks.
- Reveal the organization of their communications by using forecasting and transitional statements, headings, and effective page design.
- Observe appropriate generic conventions and formats for letters, resumes, memoranda, and a variety of informal and formal reports.
- Design and use tables, graphs, and business illustrations.
- Collaborate effectively with your peers in a community of writers who provide feedback on each other's work.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Writing Tutoring Available for ENGL 202D Students
Penn State World Campus and the University Learning Centers, the Undergraduate Writing Center, and the Center for Excellence in Writing at Penn State University Park are pleased to announce that students in English 202D can now access tutoring services online. Get tutoring support before those final papers are due!
To meet with a tutor online, complete the form available at:
Once you have sent in your request, a tutor will be in touch to arrange a time for you to meet online. Tutoring sessions will take place in Elluminate Live!, a synchronous audio environment that will allow you to talk to your tutor. When you request your tutoring session you will be provided with information on how to access Elluminate Live!
Software
Students using PCs must use Office 2003 or higher (MSWord 2007 users MUST "Save As" .doc); students using Macs must use Office 2004 or higher.
Students may purchase software at an educational discount from our affiliate vendor JourneyEd.com. For more information about purchasing software, please visit:
Course Software
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Major Assignments
Course Requirements
There are 6 major assignments required for this course:
-
Project 1: The Correspondence Packet:
For this project you will demonstrate your ability to apply a variety of writing strategies to specific situations by writing two memos and two e-mails in response to the situations provided. You will also include a cover memo with these documents that outlines the challenges you faced and strategies you used in completing the project.
-
Project 2: The Proposal:
For this assignment you are to write a formal proposal letter seeking my approval for the project for the final assignment—your Formal Analytical Report. The proposal is the first document in a sequence leading up to that final assignment. This sequence includes the proposal (Project Two), the progress report (Project Four), and the formal report (Project Six). When writing the proposal, think of me as someone who wants to be sure that you choose a project from which you can learn a great deal and on which you can do a good job. I need to be convinced that this project is important and that you have the ability to complete it.
While I am willing to consider a wide range of topics for your report, you must persuade me that you have chosen a worthwhile issue that you are capable of handling well. In reading your proposal letter, I will be looking for answers to the following questions:
- What problem will your report address? Have you clearly defined a conflict between a desired situation and the current situation?
- Whose problem is it? Who will read the report? What is your position relative to your readers?
- Why is this problem significant for these readers? What’s at stake?
- Do you have a handle on a solution to the problem? Have you established what a good solution would require? Have you thought about alternative plausible solutions?
- What makes you qualified to carry out the project? How is the topic related to your major? Your career plans? I prefer projects that give you practice writing the kind of document that you may have to prepare on the job.
- What will it take to gather the necessary information and complete your analyses? Can you complete your report in the time left in this semester, using resources readily available to you?
- Do you have a work plan for your project , a plan that shows specifically when certain activities must be completed this semester if you are to finish the project on time?
-
Project 3: The Job Application Packet:
For this assignment you will write:
- Two résumés and two cover letters addressed to different prospective employers for two separate positions.The documents should highlight different aspects of your experience relevant to each position.
- A cover memo addressed to me that gives an overview of the two positions, reviews what you know about these particular employers, and describes how you have adapted your letter and résumé to each situation. I expect to see this information reflected in the issues you present in your résumés and cover letters to the employers. The purpose of this memo is to make it easy for me to understand the decisions about audience and purpose that you have made in your résumé/cover letter packet.
-
Project 4: The Progress Report:
For your fourth project, you are to write a letter apprising me of the progress that you are making on your final project, the Formal Analytical Report, and asking me for any help you might need. You can do this by:
- Reminding me briefly what your project is: tell me about your audience, and the problem you are solving or helping to solve for this audience, and how you propose to solve it.
- Summarizing what you have done so far in enough detail and with enough specificity to convince me that you are making substantial and appropriate progress toward being able to write a report at the end of the semester. What resources have you used? What experts have you interviewed? What kind of lab work, computer work, library research have you done?
- Stating what remains to be done.
- Describing what problems you’ve had or foresee that you will have in finishing this project by the end of this term. Remember, I am here to help you; communicate your problems and maybe I can suggest an alternative research path or put you in contact with a local expert.
- Explaining any changes in your work schedule that have emerged since you wrote your proposal.
You must also use appropriate business letter format, but double-space this letter so that I can review it more easily. Organize your letter into a beginning that includes your purpose, a middle that carries out your purpose, and an ending.
In addition to your letter, include a tentative outline of Project Six, your Formal Analytical Report, as an appendix.
-
Project 5: The Business Letter Packet:
Writing letters is an important part of most professional positions. For this assignment, you will demonstrate your ability to apply a variety of writing strategies to specific situations by writing four business letters and a memoto me explaining your rhetorical choices in each letter.
To accomplish this assignment, you need to craft rhetorical situations – your position title, your company, your client or audience, and the relationships among these -- on which to base your reasons for writing the letters. Here’s a sample scenario:
You are working as a marketing manager for a well-established theatre company in a mid-sized city. Your company is organizing a gala party to raise money for the upcoming season. You need to write to your local branch of Kinkos copies to request that they donate printing services to help you create invitations to publicize the event. Your company has done a lot of business with this Kinkos in the past. You will also write them a follow-up thank-you letter after the event has been held.
Review the student examples provided in the course, particularly the individual cover memos, for models of the kinds of rhetorical situations you can use as a basis for writing your letters.
The packet should include five items:
- A sales letter;
- A fundraising letter;
- A “bad-news” letter (such an adjustment letter or collection letter);
- Another letter selected from the other types of letters covered in your text and provided in the student examples (such as an inquiry letter, a refusal letter, or a thank you letter);
- A memo to me analyzing the rhetorical strategies for each of the four letters.
If you want to, you may create one large scenario that will allow you to write the entire letter series.
-
Project 6: The Formal Analytical Report:
Complete the formal analytical report that you described in Project 2, your proposal letter. The report must do the following:
- define a problem,
-
analyze the criteria for a satisfactory solution, - propose one or more alternative solutions, and
- argue for the solution that satisfies the criteria best.
The problem may involve an institutional, technical, or public policy issue that you are working on or have worked on in your other courses; or it may be something related to an organization to which you belong; or it may be related to a job that you've held or now hold; or it may be a new area that you are interested in.
The solution to the problem may involve coming up with an original design, choosing between available alternatives, or providing needed information. See this report as a kind of "final exam" for our course-a place to demonstrate everything that you've learned about writing in this course.
In addition, you will complete other activities throughout the course. Below you will find a summary of the learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. Specific details for each activity can be found in each Week.
Course Schedule
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Note that assignments are due based on the Eastern Time (EST/EDT). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Grading
There are six major writing projects and 3 short written assignments in English 202D. The following table lists them and gives their point values in the course:
| Assignment | Point Value |
|---|---|
|
Correspondence Packet
|
15
|
|
Proposal
|
20
|
|
Job Application Packet
|
30
|
|
Progress Report
|
25
|
|
Business Letter Packet
|
30
|
|
Formal Analytical Report
|
50
|
| Short Writings (3 @10 pts ea.) |
30
|
TOTAL |
200 |
Final course letter grades are assigned according to the total number of points earned. The following table equates course point totals with letter grades and with university grade point equivalents.
| Point Total | Grade | Grade Point Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
|
185-200
|
A
|
4.00
|
|
180-184
|
A-
|
3.67
|
|
175-179
|
B+
|
3.33
|
|
166-174
|
B
|
3.00
|
|
160-165
|
B-
|
2.67
|
|
155-159
|
C+
|
2.33
|
|
140-154
|
C
|
2.00
|
|
120-139
|
D
|
1.00
|
|
119 and below
|
F
|
0
|
Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Late Policy
Descriptions of each assignment, as well as evaluation criteria, will be provided throughout the course. The dates listed for assignments may change as the semester progresses (don't worry--you'll be notified of any changes through ANGEL coursemail or the ANGEL announcements page for our course!). Nonetheless, we expect assignments to be completed on time. The standard policy regarding late assignments is 10 percent penalty per day for late assignments until no points can be earned. We use this system even in the event of excusable situations, such as minor sicknesses or other unforeseen conflicts. However, any exceptions to this policy are made at our discretion. If you have conflicts, or something unexpected arises, do not hesitate to contact me (your instructor), and we'll arrive at a solution together.
If you are ill or have a serious problem that prevents you from submitting an assignment on the day it is due, please contact me prior to the due date and we will arrange an alternative date. Additionally, students with incomplete assignments at the end of the course will be given the earned final grade. Incompletes (I's) will not be given except under extenuating circumstances that are discussed with me (your instructor) prior to assignment of final grades.
Instructor Comments
NOTE: Your instructor may use the "Comments" tool in Microsoft Word to respond to your writing. To view and receive these comments, you must choose "Markup" from the "View" pulldown menu in MS Word. The words "Final Showing Markup" will appear in the reviewing toolbar above your document.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal
integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is
requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.
All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.
Accommodating Disabilities
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.