BCPW205
Advanced Study in Writing for Business and the Professions
Do you want to be faster and more effective at writing memos, reports, letters, proposals, and other business documents? This course can help by introducing you to each stage of the experienced writer’s process—inventing, drafting, and revising—and teaching you to overcome procrastination, generate ideas, draft quickly, revise effectively, and communicate clearly.
Please bring five pages of your own written business documents to use for the revision assignments.
| Section | Sessions | Dates | Time | Campus | Instructor(s) | Hours | Cost | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCPW205-DE11241 | Distance | Jun 15–Dec 15, 2012 |
Distance | Tom Swankey |
30 | $828 + ($49.52 texts + HST) = $880 | Register | |
| BCPW205-DE11242 | Distance | Aug 15– Feb 15, 2012 |
Distance | Tom Swankey |
30 | $830 + ($52.95 + HST) = $889.30 | Register | |
| BCPW205-VA11271 | 10 - Tue | Sep 11– Nov 13, 2012 |
6:30–9:30 pm | Van | Anne Hungerford |
30 | $830 | Register |
| BCPW205-DE11271 | Distance | Oct 15– April 15, 2012 |
Distance | Tom Swankey |
30 | $830 + ($52.95 + HST) = $889.30 | Register | |
| BCPW205-DE11272 | Distance | Dec 15– Jun 15, 2012 |
Distance | Vlad Konieczny | 30 | $830 + ($52.95 + HST) = $889.30 | Register |
This course is part of the following program(s):
Prerequisites
This course assumes a mastery of written English.
What will I learn?
You will learn how to do the following:
- Write more quickly
- Overcome procrastination and writer’s block
- Communicate clearly and effectively with your readers
- Identify and fulfill the purposes of different business documents
- Apply genre conventions to your business documents
- Create documents that follow North American conventions of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Write with confidence, energy, and enjoyment
How will I learn?
- Class discussion
- Case studies
- Assignments
Who should take this course?
This course is for anyone who would like to improve the efficiency and clarity of their writing and business communications.
How will I be evaluated?
Your grade will be based on the following:
- Contributions to case studies
- Written assignments
This is an experiential course, and although everyone can improve their communication abilities, only those who demonstrate an above-satisfactory level of understanding of the concepts presented throughout the course will earn a passing grade. You need a minimum grade of B to pass.
Textbooks and learning materials
- Bell, James B. & Corbett, Eward P. J.; The Little English Handbook for Canadians, 2nd ed: 1982; Wiley; ISBN 9780471798927
- Elbow, Peter; Writing With Power, 2nd ed: 1998; Oxford University Press; ISBN 978-019-5120189
If you’re taking a classroom course
We provide all course materials, including required texts, in class. The cost is included in the course fee.
If you’re taking a distance education course
We will mail your texts to you two weeks before the course begins. The course reader and assignments will be available for download from an online course site. You’ll receive information by email about how to access the course site just before the course begins.
If we need to ship your course materials outside Canada, we will add international shipping charges to your course fees. Please email wpp@sfu.ca to find out more.
Can I take this course if I am an ESL student?
We recommend IELTS (International English Language Testing System) academic test results for students whose first language is not English.
ESL students must submit proof of their IELTS results before registering in the course.
Requirements:
- Overall band score minimum 6.5
- No band below 6.0
- Writing band score: minimum 7.0
To submit proof of test results, please contact Kirsten Masse at 778-782-5073 or masse@sfu.ca. Please note that we do not accept TOEFL scores in lieu of IELTS scores, and that we cannot refund your registration fees if we determine that your English-language skills are not adequate after the course start date.
The IELTS fee is $265 and is administered at Simon Fraser University’s Vancouver campus on a monthly basis. For more information about IELTS, contact us at 778-782-5930 or ielts@sfu.ca, or download an application form online.
If you do not meet the minimum language requirements, we encourage you to contact SFU Continuing Studies' English Language and Culture (ELC) program. Contact us at 778-782-5126 or elc@sfu.ca to find out about courses in business writing and grammar. You may also review program information online.