Course Policies

Check with your instructor to find out the specific course policies for your section of Business Writing Essentials. Here are some general policies that students can expect to be asked to follow.

Four Important Policies
This isn’t a lecture class. The class size is deliberately kept small so that the class sessions can become writing workshops. To create and maintain this environment, there are four policies that are especially critical to follow.

• Attendance: Because much work will be done in class, attendance is mandatory. After four absences you risk failing the course. These four absences should cover sickness, special holidays, and documented emergencies. In the event that you need to miss a class, contact a classmate find out what we did in class that day.
• Preparation: The majority of the work for the class will be completed during class time. There are, however, some tasks that have to be done outside of class in order to arrive at class ready for work. Completing assigned readings, bringing required materials, etc. are the typical things you’ll be expected to do.
• Participation: Remember that the class is a workshop. There are individual and group tasks that must be done. There are no “spectator” roles. It is assumed you will be an active participant in all of the work.
• Timely Completion: Part of being successful in a business environment involves being responsible for timely completion of assigned tasks. Most of what you have to do for this class can be completed during the class time. If you fall behind schedule, it is essential for you to meet with the instructor to resolve the problem.

Class Activities:
Classes will consist of these three types of work:

• Group Work: You’ll be reading assigned chapters from the text. At the start of each class, a panel will be composed (1/3 of the class members). This panel, with the instructor as moderator, will review key concepts from the assigned chapter. Other class members will be required to ask questions. This activity provides an opportunity for impromptu communication, such as might occur in an office when an unscheduled meeting is called.
• Individual Tasks: Using the Case Simulation CD whenever the computer lab is available or the text when the lab isn’t available, you’ll complete specific activities that relate to the chapter(s) under discussion. These tasks always conclude with the handing in of work for the instructor's review, comments, and grade.
• Collaborative Work: There will be several types of activities assigned, but the concept will be the same. A team of students will have a task to do. Finished work will be submitted for instructor review, comments, and grade.

Specific details for all assignments will be handed out in class.

Other Assignments:
In addition, you will complete the following tasks for this class:

• Resume and Cover Letter: This assignment enables you to develop a first resume or revise a current resume. It is a very practical assignment since it prepares students to apply for internship or entry level positions.
• Oral Presentation: One task, to be scheduled towards the end of the course, requires that teams give formal, brief oral presentations. Details will be provided when we discuss Ch. 13 of the text.
• Project Proposal: For this assignment, you will propose to research a project for a company's specific problem. Then, based on the research findings, a plan of action will be outlined along with a budget. The proposal will be addressed to a specific funding agent.
• Final Exam: The Final Exam will include true-false and multiple-choice questions, one writing task, and one editing task. As you will see, this is the type of work you’ll be doing with the Case Simulation CD and text exercises. The exam will give you a final opportunity to show your mastery of some Business Writing Essentials.

The final grades for your work breaks down like this:

Assignment Category	Percent of Total Grade
Discussion Group Work	10%
Individual Work	30%
Collaborative Group Work	20%
Oral Presentation	15%
Project Proposal	15%
Final Exam	10%

As with all Writing Program courses, there are 5 possible passing grades: A, B+, B, C+, C