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.
You should have a strong command of spoken and written English. This is not an EAL course.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition: $930
Can be applied to:
Editing Certificate
Plain Language Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
Register for a course at any time, with the option to apply to a program later.
Available
- Thu, Jan 27 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 31 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Feb 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Mar 31 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Apr 7 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Apr 14 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Apr 21 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 5 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 12 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 19 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 26 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 2 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 9 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 16 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 23 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 30 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jul 7 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 19 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, May 26 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 2 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 9 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 16 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 23 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jun 30 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jul 7 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jul 14 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Jul 21 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 8 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 15 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 22 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 29 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 6 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 13 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 20 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 27 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 22 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Sep 29 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 6 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 13 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 20 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 27 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 6 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 13 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 20 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Oct 27 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 3 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 10 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 17 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Nov 24 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Dec 1 (self-paced all week)
- Thu, Dec 8 (self-paced all week)
What you will learn
After completing this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Describe the stages of the process approach to writing
- Use the tools of invention (i.e., free-writing and brainstorming) to focus your writing effectively
- Develop heuristics for your writing projects that will help you generate content
- Identify your own drafting process
- Use your drafting process to develop effective writing skills
- Identify the target audience for each writing task and revise your writing to communicate effectively with that audience
- Analyze writing for purpose and occasion
- Revise and edit your writing with confidence
How you will learn and be evaluated
- Prepare to spend 6–10 hours per week on coursework
- Expect readings, online discussion, workshopping your writing and with other students
You will be evaluated on:
- Revisions of your writing
- Participation in the writing workshop
Everyone can improve their communication abilities, but only those who demonstrate an above-satisfactory level of understanding will earn a passing grade. You need a minimum grade of 70% or a B- to pass this course, which is graded Pass/Fail.
Learning Materials
Course fees do not include textbooks. We recommend you purchase your textbook as soon as you’ve registered. We will provide additional course materials online.
Required text:
Elbow, Peter. Writing With Power, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN 978-019-5120189. Available in print or as e-book.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.
This course requires:
- High-speed internet access
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
English language requirements
To succeed in this course, you will need an advanced level of written and spoken English. If you are unsure whether your English language skills are sufficient, we recommend you complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with the following minimums:
- Overall band score minimum 6.5
- No band below 6.0
- Writing band score minimum 8.0
Please note we can’t refund your registration fees after the course start date if you find your English language skills are not adequate.
If you have questions or concerns about your English language proficiency, we encourage you to contact your local IELTS Test Centre.