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.
This course assumes a mastery of written English. Please bring five pages of your own written business documents to use for the revision assignments.
This course is available at the following time(s) and location(s):
| Section | Session(s) | Date/time* | Campus | Instructor(s) | Cost** | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCPW205-DE11341 | - | Jun 15–Dec 15, 2013 (Register by Jun 1, 2013) |
Distance | Tom Swankey | $830 + ($52.95 text + tax) = $885.60 |
Closed |
| BCPW205-DE11342 | - | Aug 15–Feb 15, 2014 (Register by Aug 1, 2013) |
Distance | Vlad Konieczny | $830 + ($49.95 text + tax) = $882.45 |
Register |
| BCPW205-VA11371 | 10 | Tuesdays Sep 17–Nov 19, 2013 6:30–9:30 pm |
Van | Anne Hungerford | $830.00 | Register |
| BCPW205-SU11371 | 5 | Wednesdays Oct 2–30, 2013 9 am–4 pm |
Sur | Vlad Konieczny | $830.00 | Register |
| BCPW205-DE11371 | - | Oct 15, 2013–Apr 16, 2014 (Register by Oct 1, 2013) |
Distance | Tom Swankey | $830 + ($49.95 text + tax) = $882.45 |
Register |
| BCPW205-DE11372 | - | Dec 15, 2013–Jun 15, 2014 (Register by Dec 1, 2013) |
Distance | Vlad Konieczny | $830 + ($49.95 text + tax) = $882.45 |
Register |
| BCPW205-DE11411 | - | Feb 15–Aug 15, 2014 (Register by Feb 1, 2014) |
Distance | Tom Swankey | $830 + ($49.95 text + tax) = $882.45 |
Register |
| BCPW205-VA11411 | 10 | Mondays Spring 2014 6:30–9:30 pm |
Van | Vlad Konieczny | $830 | Begins Fall 2013 |
| BCPW205-VA11412 | 10 | Wednesdays Spring 2014 6:30–9:30 pm |
Van | Anne Hungerford | $830 | Begins Fall 2013 |
* This course involves 30 instructional hours.
** Members of the Editors' Association of Canada are eligible for a 10 percent discount. Please contact us to confirm your membership and register. You may not combine discounts.
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 978-047-1798927
- Elbow, Peter; Writing With Power, 2nd ed: 1998. Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-019-5120189
If you’re taking a classroom course
You are responsible for purchasing the course texts. We will provide all other course materials in class.
If you’re taking a distance education course
We will mail your texts to you one week 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 my first language is not English?
If your first language is not English, we require proof of your IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test results before you begin this course.
Requirements:
- Overall band score minimum 6.5
- No band below 6.0
- Writing band score minimum 8.0
To submit your test results, please contact the Writing and Communications Program at 778-782-5073 or wpp@sfu.ca. Please note that we do not accept TOEFL scores in lieu of IELTS scores, and that we can't refund your registration fees after the course start date if you find your English language skills are not adequate.
The IELTS is administered at SFU's Vancouver campus on a regular basis. For more information about IELTS, contact SFU's Official IELTS Test Centre. If you wish to improve your English skills, we encourage you to contact SFU's English Language and Culture Program.
Professional development credits
You may claim 30 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours for this course as a verifiable activity through the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (CGA-BC). Your registration confirmation is your supporting documentation for evidence of verification.