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COURSE PLANNING
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As students complete the textbook chapters, they will be able to
• Discuss and appreciate the importance of the communication processes and skills, critical
thinking, and ethics in today’s increasingly interconnected and digital workplace.
• Function successfully in teams and in meetings.
• Recognize and apply effective listening and nonverbal techniques in achieving successful
professional and interpersonal interactions.
• Respect intercultural differences and be able to interact effectively in global and diverse work
environments.
• Apply a 3-x-3 writing process in analyzing and solving communication problems.
• Demonstrate skill in composing and formatting professional e-mail messages, memos, letters,
and informal reports that deliver positive, negative, persuasive, and marketing messages
effectively.
• Demonstrate skill in composing and writing well-researched proposals and formal reports that
illustrate effective use of online information sources and appropriate documentation formats.
• Use social and digital media professionally.
CLASSROOM TIPS
Here are a few suggestions that may prove helpful to you as you begin your business
communication course. If you have favorite teaching assignments or ideas that have proved
successful, please send them to the author, who compensates for effective suggestions that can be
shared with other instructors.
Part 2, Course Planning
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In the Beginning
• Distribute a syllabus on the first day of class. You look professional, and you provide needed
information for purchasing books, evaluating course content, and planning study time. Make
your syllabus as thorough as possible, including due dates for assignments. (See Dr. Guffey’s
“Prebuilt Course” in this Instructor’s Manual or at the BC:PP, 8e, Instructor website of
http://cengagebrain.com.)
• Do something of value the very first day of class. First-day activities might include writing a
letter to the instructor, making introductions, or analyzing communication styles.
• Prepare a check sheet of all assignments and due dates for the term. Distribute this check
sheet to students the first week of class so that they can use it to keep track of their work.
• To help you learn the names of students as quickly as possible, take a digital snapshot of each
one on the first day of class. Make a poster with their names below their pictures, and you
will be able to learn their names more quickly.
During the Term
• Strive to start class promptly. Some instructors begin with a short quiz to ensure punctuality.
Others use class starters, such as motivational quotations, written bloopers, jokes about
business communication topics, résumés, or other relevant topics. You might give students
extra credit for pertinent class starters that they contribute.
• To maintain maximum interest level, plan to change activities several times during your class
period. You may lose your audience if you spend your entire class period lecturing.
• Have students submit as many assignments as possible electronically, via e-mail, as attached
files, on class discussion boards, to a class mailing list, and so on. This is how students will
be communicating primarily in the workplace, and they need to practice now.
• Decide on an appropriate method of grading that suits you and your students. Talk to your
colleagues to see what has worked for them. You may choose a traditional, behavioral, or
criterion-referenced method. Take a look at the assessment methods outlined in this manual.
Consider grading only the final draft, which motivates students and allows them to see
measurable improvements in their writing.
• Use real-world examples as much as possible to illustrate your points. Encourage students to
bring in their own real-world examples to share with the class, including newspaper articles,
messages they have received at work, and so on. Students can be a great resource!
Near the End
• Learn whether your students would be interested in competing for awards and recognition.
You might ask this as one of the questions to be answered in their introduction memos at the
beginning of the term. Certificates of excellence could be awarded for the highest writing
average, highest test average, best oral presentation, and so forth. Such certificates can be an
impressive addition to an employment portfolio and résumé.
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• Get feedback from students. Find out what they really liked about the course. Find out what
they suggest for making it better. You can learn a lot from student feedback to make future
classes even stronger.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
AN INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS
In addition to learning to use effective communication techniques, students must also develop a
good work ethic. Establishing classroom etiquette rules and expectations early in the semester
can help foster an atmosphere of respect and professionalism. You can have students develop
these rules, or you can provide your own. You might also consider including your classroom
rules on your course syllabus. Following are several etiquette rules and expectations you might
consider incorporating into your classroom.
1. Please arrive at class on time or before the starting time. Please attend each class unless a
2. Please come to class prepared for the work to be done and in a positive frame of mind so that
you are ready to learn. Please complete readings and other assignments on time. Bring all
3. When responding to classroom questions, please do not interrupt a fellow student or the
instructor. Take your turn. When you respond to another student’s comment, please try to
Part 2, Course Planning
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4. Please treat the furniture and equipment in the classrooms and computer labs as if it were
5. Most classes begin on time and end on time. If you need to know about schedule or
6. If before a night class, you need to eat, please do so before class, not during it. Please do not
7. You will do better if you are interested in the class, and the best way to be interested is to get
8. Please come to class appropriately dressed. Unless the room is exceedingly cold, please take
off your coat and hat.
INCLUDING GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Business communication classes have a great deal of material to cover. Most of us feel that it’s
almost impossible to teach grammar, punctuation, and usage skills in addition to teaching the
ever-expanding array of business communication topics. One of our goals in Business
Your Personal Language Trainer
Written by Dr. Guffey, “Your Personal Language Trainer” is a remarkable self-teaching tutorial
that reviews basic grammar and mechanics. It’s available at the premier student website at
Part 2, Course Planning
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Trainer Content. “Your Personal Language Trainer” is keyed to Appendix A, Grammar and
Mechanics Guide (Competent Language Usage Essentials—C.L.U.E.) with these 11 sections:
Diagnostic Test and Language Profile. An interactive diagnostic test precedes the 11 learning
workouts in “Your Personal Language Trainer.” This online test has 66 questions that
systematically cover all 11 learning workouts. Students receive a score from 0 to 100 percent in
each of the 11 workouts, and they can compare it with the following scale:
Three-Step Workouts to Build Skills. Students should then complete the three-step Trainer
workouts. These workouts provide rules plus exercises to reinforce learning.
• Step 1 involves a warm-up that reviews specific grammar rules. Students read the
synopsis and take a quiz.
GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS GUIDE
COMPETENT LANGUAGE USAGE ESSENTIALS — C.L.U.E.
In addition to “Your Personal Language Trainer,” we provide a printed grammar and mechanics
guide in Appendix A. Students will find 50 guidelines that review sentence structure, grammar,
usage, punctuation, capitalization, and number style. These guidelines focus on the most
frequently used—and abused—language elements. Presented from a business communicator’s
perspective, the guidelines also include realistic tips for application. Appendix A offers a list of
160 frequently misspelled words plus a quick review of selected confusing words. These words
appear in many of the exercises.
Part 2, Course Planning
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How to Use C.L.U.E. Give students Proficiency Test Form A as a pretest. [This test is different
from the Trainer diagnostic test, which students administer and evaluate themselves online.]
The C.L.U.E. Proficiency Test Form A has only 50 points and requires about 15 to 20 minutes to
administer. Discuss it with students as they check their own papers. Caution them to be honest
and accurate because they need to know how strong or weak their skills are. Use the first
proficiency test as a pretest or base mark; collect and file it. Students who miss ten or more will
have difficulty meeting minimum writing standards unless they improve their skills. These
students are at risk and should be counseled individually.
At the beginning of your course, you may wish to devote one to three class sessions discussing
the grammar/punctuation/mechanics principles in Appendix A. Tell students that they are
If students wish to take another test to improve their scores, you could administer Proficiency
Test Form C in two weeks. Encourage students to study so that they can improve their
proficiency. Remind students that they are mastering a limited group of language guidelines and
words. It is their responsibility to meet the minimum proficiency level.
What should you do if students do not meet your minimum proficiency? Actually, they will all
improve—but perhaps not enough. Some instructors make language proficiency a portion of
the final grade, say 10 to 20 percent. Another possibility is lowering a student’s final grade
Part 2, Course Planning
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Competent Language Usage Essentials (C.L.U.E.)
Proficiency Test Form A
Name ________________________________________ Score __________________
Grammar: In the space provided, write the letter indicating the word that correctly completes each
sentence. Use only one answer for each question.
___ 1. If I (a) was (b) were you, I would take the job.
___ 2. Rachel showed me her iPad when she (a) come (b) came over last week.
___ 3. A list showing all the documents prepared for the attorneys (a) was (b) were missing.
___ 4. An executive’s time and energy (a) has (b) have to remain focused on achieving
corporate goals.
___ 5. How important (a) is (b) are salary, benefits, and job security to you?
___ 6. Please send all e-mails to (a) her and me (b) her and I (c) she and I.
___ 7. All the new equipment (a) seem (b) seems to be working satisfactorily.
___ 8. (a) Anyone (b) Any one of the computers may need to be replaced shortly.
___ 9. I would appreciate (a) you (b) your (c) you’re sending the application immediately.
___ 10. The group of players, coaches, and fans (a) is (b) are booking a charter flight.
___ 11. Sixty days (a) is (b) are the period of the loan.
___ 12. Special reports must be written by (a) whoever (b) whomever has a sales problem.
___ 13. One of the men left (a) his (b) their tennis shoes in the locker room.
___ 14. The boss told Maria not to take the criticism (a) personal (b) personally.
___ 15. Every employee may have (a) their (b) his or her (c) his (d) her tuition reimbursed.
Mechanics: For each of the following sentences, select one letter to identify faults in
(a) Commas or semicolons
(b) Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)
(c) Symbols (including dollar and percent signs)
(d) Number expression (word or figure form)
(e) Capitalization
___ 16. The newly-passed legislation will affect taxes in Texas, California, and Michigan.
___ 17. Erics report, which was entitled “Living in a Digital World,” caused a stir.
___ 18. Stockholders for Apple could attend the meeting or they could return their proxies.
___ 19. We are earning 42 dollars on every item; however, total sales are slow.
___ 20. The President of DataTech met with the Vice President to discuss the 9 percent dip
in sales.
___ 21. If we receive all the figures we will sign the contract July 1 in our headquarters.
___ 22. The memo from our Human Resources Department is quite clear don’t you think?
___ 23. All three collectors, by the way, specialized in antique german and dutch coins.
___ 24. When Alicia is absent, we have only 3 operators in our Customer Service Department.
___ 25. We ordered 15 Pentax Cameras to be awarded as prizes.
___ 26. Our interviewing team consists of these people: Ann Simms, Accounting, Tom Burns,
Human Resources, and Carlos Santana, Operations.
___ 27. My graduating class is having it’s ten-year reunion on June 10.
___ 28. The stockholders’ meeting was heavily advertised, however, attendance was light.
___ 29. To improve their english, many Japanese students purchased the book entitled The
Power of Language is Yours.
___ 30. Would you please send two copies of Invoice No. 39-5001?
Part 2, Course Planning
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Form A
Page 2
Confusing Words: In the space provided, write the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
___ 31. Her (a) principal (b) principle concern was investment safety.
___ 32. The recent decline in prices will surely (a) effect (b) affect the entire market.
___ 33. Fidelity’s brochure (a) assured (b) insured (c) ensured prospective investors that their
money would be in good hands.
___ 34. Every new investor was given (a) complementary (b) complimentary concert tickets.
___ 35. Good researchers (a) sight (b) site (c) cite the sources of all references.
___ 36. After the theft everyone became more (a) conscience (b) conscious of equipment security.
Spelling: For each line of words indicate the letter of any misspelled word. If no word is misspelled,
write (e). For each numbered item provide only one answer.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
___ 37. accommodate existence excellent feasable
___ 38. neccessary practical sincerely volume
___ 39. efficient independent seperate usable
___ 40. argument convenient government definitly
___ 41. miscelaneous occurred receive sufficient
___ 42. budget accross consecutive immediate
___ 43. congratulate committee analyse restaurant
___ 44. similar priviledge offered license
___ 45. consistent incidentally equipped becomming
Sentence Structure: In the space provided, identify any sentence fault by selecting one of the following
letters. If the sentence is correct, select (d).
(a) Faulty pronoun reference
(b) Sentence fragment
(c) Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)
(d) Sentence is correct
___ 46. We’ve added more computers and printers, consequently we must update the wiring.
___ 47. Our office recycles paper and conserves energy because it helps save the environment.
___ 48. A number of stockholders who attended the meeting and expected to voice their
opinions.
___ 49. Membership in the organization is voluntary; contributions and grants are the only
means of support. This makes it difficult to continue a high level of support.
___ 50. Sales are increasing slowly, profits will respond soon.
Part 2, Course Planning
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Competent Language Usage Essentials (C.L.U.E.)
Proficiency Test Form B
Name __________________________________________Score __________________
Grammar: In the space provided, write the letter indicating the word that correctly completes each
sentence. Use only one answer for each question.
___ 1. Kevin found it difficult to (a) chose (b) choose a color for his new truck.
___ 2. If Laura had (a) saw (b) seen the report, she might have caught the error.
___ 3. The company’s full range of products and services (a) is (b) are offered locally.
___ 4. Only the production cost and the markup of each item (a) was (b) were known.
___ 5. Lying on the table (a) is (b) are the newspaper, two magazines, and airline tickets.
___ 6. Send updated contracts to (a) he and I (b) him and I (c) him and me (d) he and me.
___ 7. Most of the new equipment (a) appear (b) appears to be working well.
___ 8. (a) Everyone (b) Every one of the applicants attached an e-mail résumé.
___ 9. Team members would appreciate (a) you (b) your responding to e-mails more promptly.
___ 10. A record of all dividends, rents, royalties, and pensions (a) was (b) were requested.
___ 11. Before you may rent a tandem bicycle, $50 (a) is (b) are required as a deposit.
___ 12. Dr. Lee will see (a) whoever (b) whomever is next in line.
___ 13. The committee submitted (a) it’s (b) its (c) their report yesterday.
___ 14. To reduce costs, management pushed for a settlement (a) quick (b) quickly.
___ 15. Every new employee should receive (a) his (b) her (c) his or her (d) their orientation packet.
Mechanics: For each of the following sentences, select one letter to identify faults in
(a) Commas or semicolons
(b) Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)
(c) Symbols (including dollar and percent signs)
(d) Number expression (word or figure form)
(e) Capitalization
___ 16. Our newly-hired supervisor was scheduled to see representatives from Hewlett–
Packard, Dell, and Canon.
___ 17. Jennifers presentation, which was entitled “How to Improve Computer Graphics,” was excellent.
___ 18. Employees at the Minneapolis-based plant could earn 5 percent interest or they could
withdraw their funds for deposit elsewhere.
___ 19. Each office chair lists for 98 dollars; however, we expect to pay less.
___ 20. The Vice President and Marketing Director were called to the President’s office.
___ 21. If both sides are in agreement the contract will be signed Monday, April 2.
___ 22. The positions in our Marketing Department were advertised last week weren’t they?
___ 23. All nine investors, nevertheless, purchased European and latin American stocks.
___ 24. If I remember correctly, I sent only 4 e-mail messages in the morning.
___ 25. Our two-year-old Canon Copier is still running well.
___ 26. The committee selected three potential convention cities; Atlanta, Georgia; San
Antonio, Texas; and Anaheim, California.
___ 27. TechTronics will move it’s headquarters to Purchase, New York, within eight months.
___ 28. All customers’ addresses must be accurate, therefore, we must check the list again.
___ 29. Because they spoke little spanish, many visitors purchased the book entitled Speak
Like a Native in Just Ten Days.
___ 30. Would you please send two copies of IRS Form No. 1099?
Part 2, Course Planning
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Form B
Page 2
Confusing Words: In the space provided, write the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
___ 31. Although it was only a (a) miner (b) minor event, management took notice.
___ 32. His (a) principle (b) principal problem was written communication.
___ 33. New taxation laws will (a) effect (b) affect all corporations.
___ 34. Each property owner must sign a (a) waiver (b) waver before construction can begin.
___ 35. Because security takes (a) precedence (b) precedents over all other factors, we’re seeking
safe investments.
___ 36. Each new customer was given 1,000 (a) complementary (b) complimentary checks.
Spelling: For each line of words indicate the letter of any misspelled word. If no word is misspelled,
write (e). For each numbered item provide only one answer.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
___ 37. absence calender convenient interrupt
___ 38. embarrass dissatisfied irrelavant immediate
___ 39. knowledgeable ommission prominent questionnaire
___ 40. recommendation receive volumn writing
___ 41. column consecutive familar definitely
___ 42. imediate referred separate omitted
___ 43. prevalent noticeable ninth undoubtedly
___ 44. business acommodate height guarantee
___ 45. February usually unecessarily surprise
Sentence Structure: In the space provided, identify any sentence fault by selecting one of the following
letters. If the sentence is correct, select (d).
(a) Faulty pronoun reference
(b) Sentence fragment
(c) Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)
(d) Sentence is correct
___ 46. The deadline is June 1, however we may receive an extension.
___ 47. Our specialists are trained in retirement planning, investment strategies, and working
capital management. This explains our strength.
___ 48. Any number of investors who are looking for flexible leasing arrangements for new
equipment.
___ 49. Rick suggested flexible work schedules for all who requested them and an extensive
revamping of medical benefits. That was a big hit with all employees.
___ 50. The bond market is advancing slowly, the stock market is moving forward rapidly.
Part 2, Course Planning
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Competent Language Usage Essentials (C.L.U.E.)
Proficiency Test Form C
Name _________________________________________ Score ____________
Grammar: In the space provided, write the letter indicating the word that correctly completes each
sentence. Use only one answer for each question.
___ 1. If you (a) was (b) were in my position, I’m sure you would do the same thing.
___ 2. Computer chips were (a) stolen, (b) stole last weekend from two warehouses.
___ 3. Here (a) is (b) are the complete list of names and addresses.
___ 4. Considerable time and money (a) was (b) were spent on publicity for the event.
___ 5. The president told Jeffrey and (a) I (b) me (c) myself that we would start Monday.
___ 6. Each of the classifications (a) contain (b) contains four parts.
___ 7. (a) Any one (b) Anyone of our 200 employees is eligible to win the prize trip to Hawaii.
___ 8. Although some checks were delayed, (a) yours (b) your’s was delivered on time.
___ 9. One hundred dollars (a) is (b) are too much to pay for one parking ticket!
___ 10. A long line of applicants (a) is (b) are waiting to apply for the advertised jobs.
___ 11. The first new computer goes to (a) whoever (b) whomever is at the top of the list.
___ 12. I certainly appreciate (a) you (b) your responding to my e-mail messages so promptly.
___ 13. Someone on the women’s team left (a) her (b) their purse in the locker room.
___ 14. All student learners were instructed to drive (a) careful (b) carefully near the school.
___ 15. Every graduate may pick up (a) their (b) his or her (c) his (d) her diploma today.
Mechanics: For each of the following sentences, select one letter to identify faults in
(a) Commas or semicolons
(b) Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)
(c) Symbols (including dollar and percent signs)
(d) Number expression (word or figure form)
(e) Capitalization
___ 16. The highly-regarded engineer was hired to work on water projects in Utah, Colorado,
and California.
___ 17. Erika may compile the list of names and addresses of customers or Steven may do it.
___ 18. Tim Roths screenplay, which was entitled “Tattooed Teenage Aliens,” made the rounds of
Hollywood producers.
___ 19. We were offered fifty-three dollars a share; however, we are not ready to sell.
___ 20. If you return the entry form by June 15 you will be eligible to win $50,000.
___ 21. Both our President and Sales Manager were unhappy with the 2 percent sales dip.
___ 22. If the manager agrees, we will try to hire 2 temporary employees.
___ 23. Regulators feel, nevertheless, that the japanese yen and the european euro will remain
strong in the currency market.
___ 24. Will you please send me a copy of Invoice No. 20-4991?
___ 25. All customers’ addresses were checked, however, some still have incorrect zip codes.
___ 26. The need for Spanish-speaking teachers is discussed in the Board of Education’s booklet
entitled “Closing the gap: Language Skills across the Curriculum.”
___ 27. The president returned from Europe, and immediately addressed Congress.
___ 28. On May 5th my boat and its trailer will be repainted.
___ 29. When we went fishing we caught a 20-pound Atlantic salmon at the privately owned lake.
___ 30. We brought some Ziploc Bags; however, we did not have enough to package all the items.
Part 2, Course Planning
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Form C
Page 2
Confusing Words: In the space provided, write the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
___ 31. Our realtor promised to (a) apprise (b) appraise each prospective buyer of the unusual
contract terms.
___ 32. Homeowners are (a) liable (b) libel for “attractive nuisances” on their property.
___ 33. If you (a) altar (b) alter any wording in the contract, you must initial the changes.
___ 34. Stacy had to consult her (a) conscious (b) conscience before resigning her position.
___ 35. Restaurant patrons receive a (a) complimentary (b) complementary glass of wine with
their meals on Wednesday evenings.
___ 36. Dr. Myers considered himself a person of high (a) principals (b) principles.
Spelling: For each line of words indicate the letter of any misspelled word. If no word is misspelled,
write (e). For each numbered item provide only one answer.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
___ 37. seperate miscellaneous truly valuable
___ 38. accommodate consistent milage occasionally
___ 39. column convenint mortgage necessary
___ 40. apointment committee immediate irrelevant
___ 41. occurred opportunity pamphlet permenant
___ 42. automatically Febuary fourth genuine
___ 43. criticize definitely desirable serprise
___ 44. courteous efficient goverment prominent
___ 45. libary emphasize ninety therefore
Sentence Structure: In the space provided, identify any sentence fault by selecting one of the following
letters. If the sentence is correct, select (d).
(a) Faulty pronoun reference
(b) Sentence fragment
(c) Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)
(d) Sentence is correct
___ 46. Employers usually have stacks of résumés from talented applicants, therefore your résumé
must be flawless.
___ 47. A vehicle apparently ran off Kelton Road and struck the mail box as it attempted to get
back on the roadway.
___ 48. Although few applicants among the most recent candidates had the proper qualifications
for the opening in our Customer Service Department.
___ 49. Many students are completing internships, then they are more employable.
___ 50. Protesters released live cockroaches inside the White House on Friday, and they
were arrested when they left and blocked a security gate.
Part 2, Course Planning
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Answers to C.L.U.E. Proficiency Tests
Form A Form B Form C
Part 2, Course Planning
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C.L.U.E. Proficiency Test Form A
Sentence Revision Key
16. The newly passed legislation will affect taxes in Texas, California, and Michigan. [b = punctuation
error; do not hyphenate newly passed because newly functions as an adverb]
Part 2, Course Planning
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C.L.U.E. Proficiency Test Form B
Sentence Revision Key
16. Our newly hired supervisor was scheduled to see representatives from Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and
Canon. [b = punctuation; newly hired should not be hyphenated because newly functions as an
adverb]
Part 2, Course Planning
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C.L.U.E. Proficiency Test Form C
Sentence Revision Key
Part 2, Course Planning
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27. The president returned from Europe and immediately addressed Congress. [a = comma error; omit
50. Protesters released live cockroaches inside the White House on Friday, and the protesters were
SPELL RIGHT! AND SPEAK RIGHT!
In addition to a complete grammar review with “Your Personal Language Trainer,” students will
find further language resources at http://www.cengagebrain.com. “Spell Right!,” an interactive
program focused on 400 frequently misspelled words, and “Speak Right,” featuring Dr. Guffey’s
voice to help students hear correct and incorrect versions of frequently mispronounced words.
POSSIBLE CLASS SCHEDULES
Veteran instructors realize that they cannot cover in one course everything that students need to
learn about business communication. Instead, they focus on those topics they consider most
important. Your objectives and the length of your course will determine how much time you can
spend on various topics. Naturally, the focus and depth of coverage for a 10-week course
stressing business correspondence will be different from that of a 16-week course that includes
oral reports, written reports, and business correspondence. We present a variety of possible class
schedules, all of which include time for testing. These schedules are meant to provide guidance;
they are easily altered to fit your objectives.
Part 2, Course Planning
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10-Week Course
Business Correspondence and Employment Communication
Four 50-minute class meetings a week (40 class meetings)
For a 10-week course stressing business correspondence, you might elect to cover Chapters
1–11 and Chapter 16, while assigning Chapters 12–15 for reading only. If students have weak
language arts skills, you may want to include more than one class period to review the C.L.U.E.
program. The following schedule allows time for students to become proficient in writing e-mail
messages, memos, letters, résumés, and cover letters. To include business reports or oral
presentations, reduce the time spent on Chapters 1 through 10.
10-Week Course
Class
Meeting Chapter Topic
1 Class orientation and introduction
2 C.L.U.E. Grammar review, practice, discussion
3 Chapter 1 Business Communication in the Digital Age
4-5 Chapter 2 Professionalism: Team, Meeting, Listening, Nonverbal, Etiquette
6-7 Chapter 3 Intercultural Communication
8 Review or testing
9-10 Chapter 4 Planning Business Messages
11-12 Chapter 5 Organizing and Drafting Business Messages
13-14 Chapter 6 Revising Business Messages
15 Review, testing, or in-class writing assignment
16-19 Chapter 7 Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media
20-22 Chapter 8 Positive Messages
23-25 Chapter 9 Negative Messages
26-29 Chapter 10 Persuasive Messages
30 Review, testing, or in-class writing assignment
31-34 Chapter 15 The Job Search and Résumés in the Digital Age
35-39 Chapter 16 Interviewing and Following Up
40 Review, testing
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11-Week Course
Workplace Communication, Short Written Report, and Employment Communication
Three 50-minute class meetings a week (33 total class meetings)
When a course has only 33 total class meetings (and some of those may be lost to holidays), the
course must be streamlined. This schedule covers e-mail, digital media, letters, and memos
adequately but treats report writing only lightly. Students might be expected to write one or two
short reports. If the course includes oral reporting, then you might reduce or eliminate the time
spent on business reports and use that time for Chapter 14, Business Presentations
Class
Meeting Chapter Topic
1 Class orientation and introduction
2 C.L.U.E. Grammar review, practice, discussion
3 Chapter 1 Business Communication in the Digital Age
4-5 Chapter 2 Professionalism: Team, Meeting Listening, Nonverbal, Etiquette
6-7 Chapter 3 Intercultural Communication
8 Review or testing
9-10 Chapter 4 Planning Business Messages
11 Chapter 5 Organizing and Drafting Business Messages
12-13 Chapter 6 Revising Business Messages
14 Review, testing, or in-class writing assignment
15-16 Chapter 7 Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media
17-18 Chapter 8 Positive Messages
19-20 Chapter 9 Negative Messages
21-22 Chapter 10 Persuasive Messages
23 Review, testing, or in-class writing assignment
24 Chapter 11 Reporting in the Digital Age Workplace
25 Chapter 12 Informal Business Reports
26 Chapter 13 Proposals, Business Plans, and Formal Reports
27 Review, testing, or in-class writing assignment
28-29 Chapter 15 The Job Search and Résumés in the Digital Age
30-32 Chapter 16 Interviewing and Following Up
33 Review, testing