Lincoln University
Course Syllabus
Course: English 99 – Report Writing
Semester: Fall 2016 – Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:45
Course prerequisites/co-requisites: None
Credit: 3 units, 45 lecture hours
Instructor: Dr. Sylvia Y. Schoemaker Rippel
Office hours and location: T, Th -- 11:45-12:30
and by arrangement, room 308
Office phone: 510-628-8036
University instructor email: sysr@lincolnuca.edu
Course-related email: profsylvia@gmail.com
Course Description
English 99 – Report Writing
The course instructs the student in the various forms of written reports. Students prepare informational and analytic reports. Computer tools and programs, as well as Internet resources, will be used as relevant. (3 units)
Learning Objectives
Expansion of academic and professional report writing skills▪
Development of research and documentation skills▪
Ability to write reports for specific purposes▪
Increased skill in applying selection, development, evaluation, and communication criteria for relevant business and professional report subjects, contexts, purposes and channels.
Instructional Materials and References:
Required Texts:
Kuiper, S. A. (2013) Contemporary business report writing. (5th Ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-111-82085-5)
Tensen, B. (2013) Research strategies for a digital age. (4th Ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Cengage Learning (ISBN: 9780840028822)
Recommended Texts:
Anderson, P. B. (2014). Technical Communication. (8th Ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Cengage Learning (ISBN: 9781133309819)
Additional print, A/V, and online resources to be given in class
Instructional Methods
The course sessions will include lectures, A/V-augmented presentations (text-based and other topically related slides and relevant audio/video/web resources), written and oral classroom exercises applying course concepts, small group and classroom discussions, student presentations of individual and group assignments based on course units, with emphasis on engaging students in learning by doing.
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to consistently attend class punctually and fully (arriving on time and leaving the classroom only at the scheduled break and end times). Successful students participate in individual and group work in a productive manner, prepare and perform well on tests, complete assignments according to schedule and at a level appropriate to university rubrics, and take personal responsibility for meeting the objectives of the course.
Topical Outline
Topics covered include informative and persuasive report planning, drafting, editing, and formatting, research and documentation skills.
Homework Assignments
For each of the units (as well as additional assignments given in class), students will do the following by the date listed on the schedule below:
Read assigned materials with care and understanding.
Respond to the main points of each chapter assigned by listing three or four key questions with answers (no more than two or three sentences each).
Reflect on the unit in writing (a brief paragraph or two).
Email your unit and chapter assignments to me at profsylvia@gmail.com, before the date on the schedule.
For midterm and final review assignments, students will present ePortfolios/PPts adapted from the weekly assignments as individual or team projects.
SCHEDULE
#
|
Date
|
Topic
|
Homework due by date listed
CBR: Kuiper, Contemporary Business Reports, 5e
RSDA: Tensen, Research Strategies for a Digital Age, 4e
|
1
|
8/25/2016
|
Introduction
Research and Reports
|
CBR: C1 Report Characteristics
RSDA: Part I: Research Basics
|
2
|
9/1/2016
|
Planning & Drafting
|
CBR: C2 Planning the Report
CBR: C3 Producing the Report |
3
|
9/8/2016
|
Designing and Proofing
|
CBR: C4 Writing Style and Lapses
RSDA: Part 3: Incorporating Your Research
|
4
|
9/15/2016
|
Formatting
|
CBR: C5 Illustrating the Report
CBR: C6 Formatting the Report |
5
|
9/22/2016
|
Routine Reports
|
CBR: C7 Writing Routine Reports
|
6
|
9/29/2016
|
Non-routine Reports
|
CBR: C8 Writing Non-Routine Reports
Informative report due
|
7
|
10/6/2016
|
Review
|
CBR: C9 Planning and Delivering an Oral Report
e-Portfolio 1 due
|
8
|
10/13/2016
|
Midterm
| |
9
|
10/20/2016
|
Research Plan
|
CBR: C10 Planning the Research
CBR: C11 Selecting Data Sources
RSDA: Part 2 - Research Using the WWW
|
10
|
10/27/2016
|
Sources and Analysis
|
CBR: C12 Using Secondary Sources
CBR: C13 Using Primary Data Sources |
11
|
11/3/2016
|
Documentation
|
RSDA: Part 4 - Research Documentation
CBR: C14 Documenting Data Sources |
12
|
11/10/2016
|
Research Reports
|
CBR: C16 Writing Business Reports
|
13
|
11/17/2016
|
Policies, Procedures, Instructions
Business Plan |
CBR: C17 Writing Policies, Procedures, and Instructions
CBR: C18 Writing the Business Plan |
Fall Recess
| |||
14
|
1-Dec
|
Review
|
Persuasive report due.
ePortfolio 2 due |
15
|
8-Dec
|
Final
| |
Assessment Criteria & Method of Evaluating Students
Students will demonstrate their level of proficiency and achievement through appropriate and accurate application of classic and contemporary principles and best practices in oral and written communication for academic and professional purposes. Students attaining the higher levels of course goals will show successful application of critical and creative communication skills in approaching and solving academic and real-world examples.
The following tables quantify assignment areas and grade distribution scales.
GRADING GUIDELINES
Points
|
Grade
|
100-95
|
A
|
94-90
|
A-
|
89-87
|
B+
|
86-84
|
B
|
83-80
|
B-
|
79-77
|
C+
|
76-74
|
C
|
73-70
|
C-
|
69-65
|
D+
|
64-60
|
D
|
59 or <
|
F
|
Items
|
Points
|
Exercises/ Daily Assignments
|
15
|
Midterm - Informative Report
|
20
|
e-Portfolio/Journal I, II
|
20
|
Presentation of Assignments
|
10
|
Final - Persuasive Report
|
35
|
Total
|
100
|
PLEASE NOTE:
Revisions to the schedule will be announced in class as needed. Class attendance is required. Required textbooks should be obtained as soon as possible and brought to class for each session. Class participation is encouraged for enhanced learning through applied content, group interactions, and individual and small group presentations. Plagiarized content is strictly prohibited: Researched materials must be documented using a consistent style for both in-text and end-text citations of sources using the published standards of the most recent subject-appropriate style guide, such as APA (social sciences) or MLA (humanities), for example. Missed exams and assignments require certified excuses (signed documentation by an appropriate medical or other official representative). With documentation, a makeup exam may be scheduled. Electronics are not allowed during exams. Cell phones should not be active during class sessions.
Revised: 8/16
