ENGL 1061
Written Communication
3.0 Credits
Description
This course provides an introduction to writing clear, positive messages and to understanding basic writing strategies. It is designed to help you to be more proficient at the kind of writing you need to do - at home, at school, and in the workplace. This course will show you some typical techniques for effective writing and will give you practice in writing various sorts of e-mail messages, memos, letters, college essays, and workplace reports.
Delivery Method
Delivery is self-paced, print or web-based allowing you the flexibility to proceed through the course according to your own schedule. TRU-OL has no admission requirements and you can register for this course at any time throughout the year.
Prerequisites
BC English 11 or ENGL 0501 (previously ENGL 028) or equivalent.
Exclusions
Students who already have credit for a post-secondary English or Business Communications course will usually be exempted from having to take ENGL 1061 (previously ENGL 106). Please contact business_ol@tru.ca for further information. Also, please note that this course is not applicable to the general education requirements of any TRU-OL degree.
Objectives
By the time you have completed your work on this course, you should be more confident of your ability to write effectively. Specifically, you should be able to do the following:
- Gather ideas; define and narrow the topic; evaluate, select, and order material to write an organized paragraph, essay, report, and business or personal letter or e-mail message.
- Adjust content and style of writing to suit purpose, audience, and situation.
- Develop letter-writing strategies.
- Produce business writing (including reports and memos, e-mails, and letters) with minimum preparation time.
- Write a persuasive essay incorporating the basics of an approved style guide format.
- Write a report that includes analysis and offers recommendations
- Write, revise, and edit work to improve content organization, word choice, phrasing, sentence and paragraph structure, spelling, and punctuation.
- Recognize and correct clichés, jargon, slang, tone, and wordiness in sentences.
- Use computer spelling-checkers and grammar-checkers appropriately and effectively.
Course Outline
- Unit 1: The Keys to Good Written Communication
- Unit 2: The Writing Process
- Unit 3: Strategies for Direct Messages
- Unit 4: Strategies for Indirect Messages
- Unit 5: Strategies for Report Writing
- Unit 6: Strategies for Writing Effective Essays
Maximum Completion
30 weeks. The normal completion time is approximately 15 weeks, assuming roughly 12 hours per week for study and assignment preparation.
Required Text and Materials
Students will receive all course materials including the textbooks in their course package.
- Hacker, Diana. A Canadian Writer's Reference. 4th Edition Revised with 2009 MLA Updates & 2010 APA Updates . Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780312664916
- Hacker, Diana. Exercises to Accompany A Canadian Writer's Reference. 4th. Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780312472863
- Hacker, Diana. Answer Key: Exercises to Accompany A Canadian Writer's Reference. 4th. Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780312475758
All these texts are bundled together under ISBN: 9781457600883.
Additional Requirements
Computer with Internet is required for the web-based version of this course.
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students to complete their course. For students enrolled in the print version of the course, primary communication is by phone and mail. For students enrolled in the web version of the course, primary communication is through Blackboard's "Mail" tool or by phone. You will receive the necessary contact information when you start your course.
Assessment
To achieve a passing grade, you must obtain 50% on the final examination and 50% overall.
It is strongly recommended that students complete all assignments in order to achieve the learning objectives of the course.
Your final grade for the course is determined on the following basis:
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