ESLI 596--Business Writing for International Students

ESLI 596--Business Writing for International Students



General information

Syllabus

Discussion Board

Research and Citation Links

Job Links

ESL Links

Sample Assignments

NYIT Library Site (opens in a new window)

NYIT Main Site (opens in a new window)

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General Information

Welcome to ESLI 596! This is a supplementary webpage, designed to complement our class. It will provide you with a quick overview of the course and syllabus as well as with useful links and a discussion board where you can "chat" with other students outside class.

Required Text

Guffey, Mary Ellen. Essentials of Business Communication/Infotrac Edition. Thomson/South-Western. 2003. 6th Edition. ISBN: 0324185359 

   

Click on photo to go to excellent companion website! (including sample projects, job search sites and hints, financial aids tips, etc.)

How to purchase the text

To minimize cost for you, I have not ordered the textbook through the campus bookstore--it's much cheaper to order it yourself on-line, even considering shipping costs. Here are three options:

Publisher
(opens in a new window; click on "Business Communication" under "Business and Economics;" then scroll down until you see the text book [it's number 13 on the list]. If the window opens up to the general page first, select "U.S." and then go through the steps outlined above)

http://www.amazon.com/
(opens in a new window)

http://www.bookfinder4u.com
(opens in a new window)

Other Required Items

• 2-3 high double-density disks or a CD blank

Access to a computer and the Web/email outside the classroom

Microsoft Office XP (Win) or Microsoft Office X (Mac)

Course Description and Objectives

The goal of this course is to help you communicate effectively in the business world, both in writing and in oral settings. As an advanced course in writing and English as a Second Language, it will familiarize you with the discourse practices common in your future institutional communities within mono- as well as in multi-cultural settings and aide you in applying them to your own work.

Course Requirements
Note: you need to fulfill EVERY requirement with a satisfactory grade in order to pass the course!

1)     Three Major Writing Projects, each consisting of several smaller assignments, compiled in three portfolios. Each project requires several drafts to be work-shopped in class and emailed to me beforehand.

2)     In-class mock job interview

3)     In-class Power Point presentation, based on portfolio 3

4)     Final Exam

5)     In-class writings and participation in class

 The Three Portfolios

Portfolio # 1: Job Applications

• résumé (draft, group comments, and final)

• sample application letter (draft, group comments, and final)

• URL for on-line résumé

• minutes from in-class interviews

Portfolio # 2: Business Correspondence

• Memos

• Routine business letter (draft, groups comments, and final)

• Good news letter (draft, group comments, and final)

• Bad news letter (draft, group comments, and final)

• Persuasion letter (draft, group comments, and final)

 Portfolio # 3: Research Project and Presentation

• Proposal for research project

• Draft of project and group comments

• Final, polished version of research project

• Power Point Presentation slides and notes

Class Discussion

In class we will discuss various situations and problems in the business world and interweave discussions of texts and their techniques of writing with our own writing projects. We will also analyze each other’s writings as well as workshop our projects. Since the success of our class depends on your active participation, I expect you to take part in class discussion.

Attendance

Attendance is required, since class discussion is such an integral part of the course. More than 2 absences will result in a lowered grade, up to and including “F" (More importantly, Immigration requires that students miss no more than 2 classes for the course to be considered for visa status). Three late arrivals to class will be considered one absence, as will three early “departures” or leaving and returning to class while it is in session. If you have to miss any class, you are responsible for all materials covered and all assignments due that day. In-class work cannot be made up.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of passing off somebody else’s work as your own, whether it is literally “stealing” somebody else’s work word-for-word or using somebody else’s ideas without acknowledging so, even if you put them in your own words, or relying too heavily on an outside editing source. Plagiarism demonstrates contempt for ethical standards, your instructor, and your peers. Thus, if you hand in plagiarized work, you will receive zero credit for the assignment and risk failing the course.

 

Have Fun in our Class!!!!