Business Writing @ Purdue

Catherine Amelia Shuler
English 420, 29-01
SC G046

Office Hours: Wednesday 9-11, Thursday 11-12 and by appt.
Office: Heavilon 415
Ph: 765.494.3763
Fax: 765.494.3780
E-Mail: cshuler@purdue.edu
URL: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~cshuler

Overview

English 420 teaches students the rhetorical principles and writing practices necessary for producing effective business letters, memos, reports, and collaborative projects in professional contexts. The curriculum is informed by current research in rhetoric and professional writing and is guided by the needs and practices of business, industry, and society at large, as well as by the expectations of Purdue students and programs. The course curriculum is designed to ensure that students taking the course are prepared for the writing environment of the 21st-century workplace. The course teaches the rhetorical principles that help students shape their business writing ethically, for multiple audiences, in a variety of professional situations.

During this class, you will practice the art of professional communication. As you learn various strategies and conventions for effective professional writing, you will apply these concepts to all writing for the course: the graded projects, email correspondence with the instructor and fellow classmates, weblog and comment postings on the course website, etc.

Required Texts

• The Thomson Handbook (Comprehensive Edition), by David Blakesley and Jeffrey L. Hoogeveen. Boston: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. This book is available at local bookstores and may also be purchased online (e.g., through Amazon, here). You can buy the hardcover or paperback versions. This text provides essential information, examples, and principles for effective business writing. We will be reading and discussing chapters from Parts 2 through 7. Other chapters in the book will be useful for reference purposes. You may be interested in watching this short Flash presentation about the book's resources.

• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen
• All other course readings will be provided on the course site or via links to sources off-site.