Professional WritingIntro to English 301

Instructor: Laura Bivona

{Definition

Course overview

Tips for success

Professional writing

Part I: Defining Professional Writing

Professional writing is

• Workplace writing• All work environments (not just the

corporate world but organizations, etc.)– “Business writing” is just related to

businesses/corporate world– “Technical writing” also includes

manuals and technical instructions

Modern workplace

• In the 21st Century workplace, some documents are conveyed in a different form than 50 years ago, but the content is similarly structured.

Modern professionals still communicate in traditional ways

• Correspondence (letters, memos, etc.)• Reports and proposals (printed in booklet

or memo format)• Presentations (formerly in person with

print visuals)• Marketing/advertising (pamphlets,

brochures, magazine advertisements, billboards, etc.)

Print reports and proposals

Modern professionals also use new formats and genres

• Online/Internet documents: E-mails, Web sites, social media, online ads

• Digital presentations: PowerPoint, Prezi, Powtoon, animated media, etc.

• Multimedia texts: graphics, visuals, videos, audio recordings, commercials, etc.

Online, digital, and multimedia texts

Part II: Course overview

Professional writing in our course

• Students will learn to recognize, analyze, and create effective and useful:– Correspondence (e-mails, memos, letters)– Job application materials (resumes and

cover letters)– Professional proposals and executive

summaries– Personal self-evaluations (reflection essay)

Drafting

Our class is a workshop class, built around the idea of writing as process

Take peer responses seriously

• Offer useful replies• Talk about what you appreciated • Give ideas and suggestions to help them

improve their writing• Be respectful and kind, but give critical

input• Challenge others to think deeply about the

implications of their work

Peer input can help you

• Guide your revisions• Understand the assignment• See how to use formatting

effectively• Work up to professional standards

Part III: Tips for success

Check your ASU email and our class Blackboard site daily.

Think about your expectations and concerns about an online writing class—anticipate problem areas.

Submit your work before 11:59 PM on due dates (T/Th/Sun).

Expect to spend a significant amount of time writing and revising.

Prewriting and drafting will take some time...

but the bulk of your time should be spent revising, editing, and proofreading.

Final drafts must show significant changes from the original drafts.

Stay on top of your work and plan your time.

Carefully read the assignment sheets and grading criteria.

View as many sample documents as you can, and model your work using those examples.

In a workshop-based writing course, discussion board posts and peer review responses are key.

Be an active participant; add value to our online community!

Part IV: Going forward

Start thinking about what kind of job you want to apply to.

This course is guided by your professional drives and plans.

Select the right jobs, so you can use your work in a future job search!

Do the work, so the course can help you with your future.

The end!

Questions? Contact laura.bivona@asu.edu.