UWP 104I

Writing in the Professions: Internships

(formerly UWP 102A)

Catalog Description

UWP 104I. Writing in the Professions: Internships (4) Lecture/discussion—3 hours; extensive writing. Prerequisite: course 1 or English 3 or the equivalent and upper division standing. Advanced instruction in writing in the workplace, including public and private sectors, government agencies, profit and non-profit organizations. Collaborative work and practice in effective styles of communication. GE credit: Wrt (cannot be used to satisfy a college or university composition requirement and GE writing experience simultaneously). Not open for credit to students who have completed UWP 102A for internships.—III. (III.)

Topical Outline

"Practicing writing in a variety of formats and genres, including memos, e-mails, letters, resumes, personal statements, letters, press releases, brochures, proposals, reports, manuals, and internet writing. "Practicing conventions of style, discourse and documentation in the workplace. "Understanding the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing for style, conciseness, and correctness. Practice in managing and participating in collaborative writing projects. "Analyzing rhetorical situations, formats, genres in the workplace, identifying purpose and audience, and adapting format, style, and diction to the needs of varied (sometimes multiple) audiences. "Strengthening reading skills by analyzing workplace documents. "Differentiating among varied types of sources and learning how to use them appropriately in the workplace. "Developing an effective, professional style of oral and written communication in the workplace, including designing and formatting documents, creating and integrating graphics, and practicing informal and formal oral presentations.

Reading

Writing on the Job, Brenton, et al.; Writing and Speaking on the Job, Edward Bailey.

Course Format and Requirements

Grades will be based on the students' performance on in- and out-of-class writing assignments and on a final exam. Students will write a minimum of 6000 words; the number of assignments and the weight of each assignment will vary according to the instructor. Instructors may choose assignments from among the following types of assignments: oral report, summary report, literature review, proposal, research report, lab report, abstract, an article on a scientific subject directed toward a lay audience, or similar project related to scientific research. All assignments will be graded on content and style. Each assignment will be thoroughly introduced by the instructor, using models of successful work as appropriate. Students will receive frequent feedback on drafts of assignments, through instructor commentary, conferences, and peer response. Students will have frequent opportunity to revise drafts.

Explanation of Potential Course Overlap

UWP 104I Writing in the Workplace does not overlap with any other courses. It differs from UWP 104A Business Reports and Technical Writing, because students will develop writing projects for specific contexts where they are working as interns.