Students write a 1,600–1,900-word problem-solution report on a topic that combines their major field of study with a particular theme. Instruction includes audience analysis, narrowing and focusing a topic, secondary research, writing an outline, writing a descriptive abstract, summarizing, citing and referencing sources in APA, paragraph unity, drafting, and document design. Students are also introduced to the world of work, starting with job seeking (job advertisements, application letters and emails, résumés, interviews) and leading to the most important aspects of business correspondence (business emails, style, tone). Instruction is also given on presentation skills for public speaking in both academic and professional environments.
Prerequisite: ENGL102
Texts:
Successful Writing at Work (11th edition) by P. C. Kolin
Other materials provided on Blackboard course pages
| ENGL214 COURSE COMPONENTS |
| Report Writing | 40% | The Research Process: Secondary research skills; audience analysis; finding, narrowing, and focusing a topic; outlining; evaluating sources; and notetaking. The Final Draft: A professionally presented 1,600–1,900-word problem-solution report, with a minimum 6 sources. The report will be in the student’s major and linked to the semester theme and follow APA style guidelines. |
| Report Presentation and Interview | 15% | Skills preparation for giving a formal multimedia presentation, linked to the report. |
| Job Skills | 10% | Business emails; job searches; reading job requirements; cover letter, résumé; interviewing techniques. |
| Midterm Exam | 15% | Evaluating a source: APA referencing, summary paraphrase, and evaluation of a source using the TRAAP system. |
| Final Exam | 20% | Multiple-choice examination testing students’ understanding of the semester’s work as well as grammar questions. The questions are based on the Blackboard materials and on selected chapters from Successful Writing at Work (11th edition). |