Classes will be a combination of lecture, seminar, and workshop. Students will be required to submit drafts of assignments for peer feedback and discussion.
- Analyzing Professional Writing
Successful students will:- analyze selected genres for their textual and situational features
- develop and use the vocabulary of descriptive grammar
- apply that vocabulary to the analysis of sentence types and clauses, phrases, and parts of speech
- review the relationship between grammar and punctuation
- demonstrate their understanding of descriptive grammar, punctuation, and style in their own written work
- Contexts for Professional Writing
Successful students will:- examine concepts of language as a political, social, and cultural activity
- examine the functional importance of recurring patterns within selected genres
- assess the appropriateness of language choices
- understand how technological change affects writers
- Producing Professional Writing
Successful students will:- examine models of the writing process and enhance their own process
- interview a professional writer regarding his or her writing process and the influence of workplace culture
- write a profile based on the interview
Students will learn how to recognize and describe grammatical concepts; write intensively to develop skill, style, and facility; and become aware of the professional and ethical responsibilities of professional writers.
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Evaluation will be based on this general format:
| Grammar exercises | 20% |
| Writing exercises | 10% |
| Genre samples (2) | 25% |
| Interview-based profile | 20% |
| Final exam | 15% |
| Professionalism (as defined) | 10% |
| 100% |
Texts may include one or more of the following:
- Osborn, Patricia. How Grammar Works. 2nd ed. Wiley, 1999.
- Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace. 7th ed. Longman, 2003.
- Fundamentals of Professional Writing [coursepack]
Students will also be required to purchase the program-recommended dictionary (ITP Nelson Canadian Dictionary of the English Language) and style guide (Hacker, Diana. A Canadian Pocket Style Manual. Nelson, 1995).
Acceptance into program or permission of the coordinator