EGL 111 Course Syllabus
I. Course: EGL 111 Introduction to Business and Technical Writing /3 credit hours
II. Prerequisites
EGL 101 or placement into EGL 101 on Writing Skills Assessment Test
(WSAT)
Note: If you took EGL 101 at another college, you must show
proof of such to your instructor by the beginning of the third week of
class. A
transcript or grade form will be accepted. If you do not submit
such documentation, you may be administratively dropped from the course.
III. Course (Catalog) Description
This course is designed for students who wish to develop competence in producing various types of business documents, including memoranda, letters, reports, and product literature. Emphasis is on writing for an audience with an identified purpose. Students will be instructed in using clear, concise prose, and effective graphic elements. College-owned hardware and software will be used.
IV. Learning Objectives
Business and Technical Communications is designed to give students the necessary tools to enable them to handle competently any written communication they might encounter in a job. Economy, clarity, and consideration of audience will receive special emphasis. Specifically, students will demonstrate their ability to:
1. Write job-related documents using basic development techniques such as definition/description, comparison/contrast, instruction, analysis, and summary. (Total 2000 words)
2. Produce job-related letters, memos, and reports that are clear, concise, fluent, and purposeful. (Total 1500-2000 words)
3. Adopt an efficient/ effective writing process that includes situational analysis, planning, researching, drafting, and revising.
4. Employ an objective, professional writing style that is suitable for an informed audience.
5.Use graphics to augment written materials.
V. Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
- cheating,
- plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
- falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
- helping others to cheat,
- unauthorized changes on official documents,
- pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
- making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
- any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook
NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. In this writing course, academic dishonesty includes receiving outside help on writing assignments other than from Learning Center personnel and/or your instructor. Having someone else "correct" language and grammar and mistakes and then turning in the writing as "yours" is dishonest since the language and grammar are being evaluated as part of the entire document's effectiveness. Such documents will be considered "plagiarized" and treated accordingly. The minimum punishment for a first offense will be failure (no credit) on the assignment, as articulated below.
VI. Topics Covered (see Calendar)
VII. Methods of Instruction
Lectures, discussions, and computer generated writing exercises will be used to introduce and clarify principles of technical composition and to provide application practice. Students will use the course website and, therefore, are expected to be computer proficient. Face-to-face classes are conducted totally or partially in computer labs. Online sections are available.
VIII. Course Practices Required
Completing and submitting acceptable versions of all graded written assignments is required for a passing grade.
Unless otherwise instructed by the instructor, assignments will be typed, using acceptable memo, letter, or report format.
Participation in collaborative projects as assigned by the instructor.
Purchase and reading of all required textbooks and materials.
IX. Instructional Materials
Writing that Works, 10th Edition by Oliu, Brusaw, Alred
A grammar handbook (Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage is preferred)
X. Evaluation and Assessment
All assignments will be evaluated based
on the criteria established in Assessment.
Adherence to conventions of grammar, language, and sentence structure is
expected.
- Grading Policies
* Unless otherwise instructed , assignments will be typed, using acceptable memo, letter, or report format.
* Assignments must be ready for collection at the beginning of the class period on the due date, and by midnight for online sections.
* Practice/nongraded assignments may not be turned in late for credit.
* Graded assignments submitted late will be subject to a downgrade of one grade per day. These assignments should be submitted to the Humanities Division Office, Room 2430.
* Any document plagiarized (from another student, the internet, or any other publication) will be assigned a grade of "F" -- and be given no credit. (Refer to "Academic Integrity" above)
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Assignment Types
Three end-of-module GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
Three tests (modules 1, 2, 3)
Several (usually 10-15) Practice (nongraded) assignments.
The purpose of these assignments is to give you practice and feedback on assignments similar to the "graded, end-of unit" assignments so you can improve the quality of your graded assignments. Therefore, submitting these on time is crucial so you can apply feedback to your graded assignments. For the purpose of calculating the semester grade, the percentage of these assignments you have completed will be averaged in as one of the semester grade components). Note: Practice assignments are not accepted or given credit after the due dates.
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Calculating the Semester Grade
Alpha grades are converted to numbers for the purpose of calculating the semester grade. The following conversion is used: A+ = 100; A = 95; A- = 91; B+ = 88; B = 85; B- = 80; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- = 70; D+ = 68; D = 65; D-= 60, F = 1-50 (number assigned by instructor). To determine the semester grade, these numbers are averaged and the corresponding letter grade assigned. In the case of rewrites, the average of the two grades for the project are calculated in the semester grade.
- The semester grade is based on points earned for the following:
Module 1 Graded Assignment (Business Correspondence) - 100 points
Module 2 Graded Assignment (Informal Reports) -- 100 points
Module 3 Graded Assignment (Formal Reports) - - 100 points
Module 1 Test - 100 points
Module 2 Test - 100 points
Module 3 Test - 100 points
The percentage of nongraded/feedback-only assignments completed - 100 points
TOTAL POINTS = 700
Semester Grades based on point totals:
A = 630 - 700 points
B = 560 - 629 points
C = 490 - 559 points
D = 420 - 489 points
F = 419 below - The semester grade is based on points earned for the following:
XII. Other Course Information
 | Grammar/mechanics: important and part of grade/assessment of all written documents. Absenteeism: It is recommended that students use a buddy system; that is, find a reliable classmate with whom to exchange information and assignments given on days a student is absent. The instructor will not be responsible for calling students to give them missed class lectures or assignments. Plagiarism: Because student writing is assessed in this course, students must design, write and edit their own work. Having someone else correct language, grammar, and mechanics constitutes "plagiarism" since these are aspects of writing being evaluated as part of the document quality and, ultimately, the grade. If remediation is required, students should use the textual and tutoring resources listed above. (Refer to Academic Integrity section of this syllabus). Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program
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