WRIT 465 focuses on the preparation of oral and written reports appropriate in business or government.  It is one of a small number of Winthrop courses that have both the writing intensive and oral communication designations.  Most of us who teach this course find it rewarding because students are usually excited about and committed to the projects they pursue.  We have also found that classroom workshops, frequent conferences, group work, and peer editing are very effective techniques to use with these students.  A notebook of useful WRIT 465 materials is available in the Writing Center.

Students must have junior status and must have passed CRTW 201 with a C- or better in order to take WRIT 465.  Any sophomores on your rolls should be told to drop the course, unless they can prove that they actually have junior status.

 Types of Writing Assignment

The major assignment is a semester-long project (usually a feasibility study).  Written components of the project MUST include: 

-- proposal
-- letter of inquiry
-- survey or questionnaire
-- audience analysis
-- progress report
-- the formal report or feasibility study 

Other documents covered in the course SHOULD include: 

-- instructions (may be a group-produced manual)
-- technical description
-- correspondence
-- technical abstract
-- résumé
-- application letter 

In addition, students should learn to access technological data.  They should learn to use email and to access and use internet sources.  Students should use PowerPoint to present their final projects.  Students should also learn to interpret and design various types of graphics and to integrate them into written text. 

Types of Oral Communication Assignments

At least three graded oral presentations are required in WRIT 465, and you must provide students with detailed instruction on oral communication skills.  Oral presentations may include such assignments as "how-to" demonstrations, progress reports, and group reports.  A formal oral report on the major project is required.  Students should gain experience preparing and using visual aids for these oral reports.

You should provide written feedback to students about their oral presentations, and peer evaluation should also be included. 

Research and Documentation Skills

Students should gain experience gathering information from library and non-library sources, including interviews and surveys.  If your students need more advanced instruction about library materials, you will have to provide such instruction.

Students should learn an appropriate form of documentation.  Please spend some time discussing the correct use of borrowed information, for students may not remember the MLA format used in WRIT 101 and 102, or you may want them to use another form of documentation.  Review with them the college-wide policy on academic dishonesty. 

Computer Use

Computers are available in a number of campus computer labs.  Students must provide their own disks for the computers, and they must apply for a computer account in Tillman 015. All WRIT 465 documents should be typed or processed on a computer. 

Revision Policies

Strict standards of correctness should be applied in WRIT 465.  For example, in order to receive a C, a document should be relatively error-free and acceptable for use in business or government.  Documents may be revised for a new grade, but you should establish a revision policy to be included in your syllabus.  You must review a draft of the major project before it is revised for a grade. 

Rubrics

The rubrics for WRIT 465 written and oral communication are found at http://www2.winthrop.edu/english/WritingProgram/465rubric.htm.

Texts

Any textbook used in this course must be approved by Dr. Gregg Hecimovich. 

Syllabi

When you have drawn up your syllabi, please give one copy to Carol Schlabach. All syllabi must also be archived electronically for accreditation purposes.

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