Introduction to Professional Writing Engl 250-02

Fall, 1999 Kim Pearson 217 Bliss office: x2692 office fax: 637-5112 Office Hours: M,: 2:00 -- 5:00, or by appointment

Overview

In an increasingly interdependent, customer-focused world, every professional needs to know how to communicate effectively -- in speech, in writing, and electronically. And, in fashioning that communications, every professional needs to understand the mission, business priorities, stakeholders and organizational climate which provide the context for his or her communications. This course should equip you to become an effective professional communicator in whatever work environment you enter. In particular, you will write feature stories for The Times of Trenton's Holiday Appeal on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. You will also become conversant with creating proposals, press releases, resumes, and presentations. Finally, you will spend a substantial portion of your time creating materials for the world wide web.

Grading Policies

Readings and assignments are due for next class, unless otherwise specified

Grading Distribution (on a scale of 100 points)

  • Libel quiz and ethics quiz: 5 percent each
  • Assigned stories: 20 percent -- We will work out production schedule. We will receive the story list in early September. All of the stories must be completed, critiqued and revised by mid-November.
  • Class participation (Includes Contributions to Message Board): 10
  • Press Release: 10
  • Business Plan:20
  • Website:15
  • Teamwork and professionalism: 15

Class Covenant

We will:
  • Respect each other
  • Try to understand each other's differing perspectives
  • Try to be non-judgmental
  • Try to let everyone who wants to speak at least once before we speak a second time
  • Try to be honest
  • Realize there are no silly questions
  • ASK whatever you want to or need to

Class Schedule

September 3 -- Introduction: What is professional writing? Discussion of the Times project

September 7 -- Review of news and feature writing basics. Bring a copy of the Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer to class for story analysis. Homework: Critique a story for the Message Board.

Setember 10 -- Newswriting and interviewing drills

September 14 -- Libel quiz.

September 17 -- Field trip to The Times

September 21 -- Follow-up story assignments. Review timetable. First drafts due September 28

September 24 -- Workshop

September 28 -- Peer critique first stories. Revisions due to me October 1. Schedule conferences with me for next week.

October 1, 5, 8 -- No classes held. Conferences.

October 11 -- Class resumes. Discuss press releases. Due October 19.

October 15 -- Workshop

October 19 -- Press releases due for peer critique. Revisions due October 22.

October 22 -- Press release to me. I will return it to you within a week for revision for your final portfolio. Read handout on resume design. Introduction to HTML.

October 25 -- Web Pages, continued. First draft of Home page with attached resume (and links to clips) due November 9. I will critique by e-mail.

October 29 -- conferences

November 2 -- conferences

November 5 -- (everybody vote, y'all) Begin discussion of Ethics. Quiz on November 12.

November 9 -- Begin discussion of business planning. Draft business plan, with financials and plan for market research, due November 30.

December 3,7, 10 -- 5-minute presentations of business proposals to prospective investors or customers.

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