Indiana University Northwest
Professional Writing Skills
COURSE SYLLABUS
English W231 (Web)
Instructor Name: Linda Oldenburg
Email: laoldenb@iun.edu
Phone: (219) 671-1004 (Please use the “Messages” link in
Oncourse for contacting me)
See the **Course Guide/Schedule**for
session themes, readings, resources, and all assignment due dates.
Course Description
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.) P: ENG-W 131 or equivalent
This course is designed to develop research and writing skills requisite for most academic and professional activities. Emphasis on methods of research, organization, and writing techniques useful in preparing reviews, critical bibliographies, research and technical reports, proposals, and papers. Junior or senior standing recommended. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II)
Course Goals and Objectives
- The purpose of this course is to prepare you for the writing assignments you will encounter in the business community.
- Much of this writing will involve close observation, critical reading and analysis; improving your writing skills will also require working on your critical thinking.
- You will learn to use writing as means to discover, develop, test, and refine ideas, and techniques for expressing and organizing those ideas effectively and clearly.
- You will develop skills to effectively complete an adjustment letter, complaint letter, email, external proposal, internal memorandum, internal proposal, and a resume/cover letter/thank you response.
Course Materials
- Required Text
Alred, Gerald J. & Charles T. Brusaw & Walter E. Oliu. The Business
Writer’s Handbook. 10th Ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press. 2012.
ISN 13:978-1-4576-0448-5 ISN: 10:1-4576-0448-5
Grading Information
Grades will be determined as shown in the following assignment chart. Detailed descriptions of assignments are available below and from the assignment links in the chart. Due dates are detailed in the Course Schedule.
The time in Oncourse is set to Eastern Standard Time. This means there is an hour difference if you live in area that is Central Standard Time. Please make sure to submit assignments by 10:55 CST.
Assignments Points
Resume/Cover Letter/Thank You Correspondence 100 points
Proposal: Internal 150 points
Proposal: External Sales 200 points
Proposal: Grant 200 points
Online Portfolio 50 points
Oncourse/Syllabus Quiz 25 points
Library Group Activity 50 points
Minor Writing Assignments 6@ 15 points 90 points
Discussion Questions 6@ 10 points 60 points
First Drafts 3@ 10 points 30 points
Peer Reviews 3 @15 points 45 points
TOTAL 1000 Points
Class Policies Regarding Graded Work
**The following policies are in effect for all individual deliverables throughout the semester, unless noted otherwise. **
***Late Work***
- Late Assignments are NOT accepted.
- Computer problems, work or family obligations, etc. are not acceptable excuses for late assignments.
- Please make sure to have a back-up plan available in case of an emergency.
- Please make sure to avoid submitting assignments at the last minute so you have time to address potential problems.
***Original Work***
All Assignments submitted in this course must be your original work. Please see the Plagiarism Policy below:
Plagiarism
- Plagiarism is the unfair use of a source. You commit plagiarism if you do not acknowledge the use of sources and/or when you present the work of someone else as your own.
- Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic ethics with severe consequences, beginning with a failing grade for this course.
***Incompletes***
An incomplete grade may be assigned when a student is unable to complete the course due to an extreme circumstance. In order to receive an incomplete, the student must meet the following criteria:
- Be in good academic standing at the time of the request
- Is unable to complete a final assignment due to an extreme circumstance
- Submit a formal request to the instructor
The instructor will determine if the request is valid and will notify the student if the request is granted. The instructor will send the student a date of completion for the assignment.
NOTE: The instructor will keep students apprised of assignment grades via the online class Grade book. Students are responsible for reviewing the grade book frequently and contacting the instructor of discrepancies. Students must contact the instructor if they do not receive any grade by 10 days after the assignment submission date.
Attendance Policy:
- Attendance is calculated by your submission of work on Sundays. If you miss submitting work on 4 Sundays within the semester, you may be dropped from this course.
Course Requirements
- ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SAVED AS .DOC. OR RTF (RICH TEXT FORMAT)
- It is imperative that you check your IUN Email, Messages and the Announcements I will post in class regularly. I will be posting the upcoming week’s assignments and any changes that may occur via your email, mail and announcements.
- Please make sure to send me a message in Oncourse as soon as you encounter any questions or concerns.
Dates to Remember
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Classes Begin: |
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Automatic Withdrawal Deadline |
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Classes End |
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Finals Week |
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IU Academic Policies
This course is governed by IU academic policies in the following areas:
- Grading Guidelines
- Writing Standards
- Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
- Course Evaluations
- Students With Disabilities
IUN Flag Early Alert System
This semester I will be using IU’s FLAG Early Alert System to provide real-time feedback on your performance in this course. Periodically throughout the semester I will be entering data on factors such as your class attendance, participation, and success with coursework, among other things. This information will provide feedback on how you are faring in the course and offer you suggestions on how you might be able to improve your performance.
You will be able to access this information in the student center: Onestart > Student Services page > Student Center > My Academics and Grades > My Grades.
GRADING GUIDELINES
A+ 97.0 1000-970
A 93.0 969-930
A- 90.0 929-900
B+ 87.0 899-870
B 83.0 869-830
B- 80.0 829-800
C+ 77.0 799-777
C 73.0 776-730
C- 70.0 729-700
D+ 67.0 699-670
D 63.0 669-630
D- 60.0 629-600
F 0.0
Additional Information
SUCCESSFUL STUDY USING ONCOURSE
The home page of Oncourse has links, video tutorials and several tips and updates to help you navigate the website. IU has prepared a reference page containing links to information about a variety of resources to help you function successfully in your online Oncourse class.
Right to Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities
Indiana University is committed to creating a learning environment and academic community that promotes educational opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities. Course directors are asked to make reasonable accommodations, upon request by the student or the university, for such disabilities. It is the responsibility of students with documented physical or learning disabilities seeking accommodation to notify their course directors and the relevant campus office that deals with such cases in a timely manner concerning the need for such accommodation. Indiana University will make reasonable accommodations for access to programs, services, and facilities as outlined by applicable state and federal laws.
Campus support office:
- Student Support Services, HH 239, (219) 980-6798
- Student Support Services www.iun.edu/%7esupportn
RIGHT OF REVISION
The college reserves the right to change any statements, policies or scheduling as necessary. Students will be informed promptly of any and all changes.
Weekly Schedule: Assignments: Eng. W 231
All assignments are due on SUNDAYS, by 10:55P.M. (CST)
(BWH) refers to The Business Writer’s Handbook
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RIGHT OF REVISION
The college reserves the right to change any statements, policies or scheduling as necessary. Students will be informed promptly of any and all changes.
