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A syllabus introduces your class to students and serves as a contract between you and your class. Elements of a syllabus vary, but the typical college syllabus contains items such as the following:

course title, credits, day, time, location, semester, year
college name, campus address
instructor’s name, office number and phone number, and office hours
textbook and required materials
course description and course competencies
class procedure and requirements, including
- attendance policy
- statement on plagiarism
- expectations concerning electronic equipment (cell phones, laptops, etc.)
- rules about food and drink in the classroom
evaluation: grading scales and weight percentages
course calendar

A basic writing-based workplace communication course will address skills and abilities that include writing sentences and paragraphs with correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization, as well as producing correct examples of various business documents such as business letters, e-mails, memos, and reports. If your course also includes an emphasis on writing to get a job, competencies will address the writing of résumés and letters of applications.

A workplace course that emphasizes speaking and oral communications skills will likely address skills and abilities in interpersonal and small-group communication, telephone communication, and the preparation and delivery of spoken presentations. If your course includes an emphasis on job-seeking skills, competencies will also address interviewing for a job.

The sample syllabus that follows is written for a 16-week writing-based course that meets only two hours per week.

Of course, Write for Work includes enough material for a longer-term course, a course that meets more hours per week, or a course with a different focus. This syllabus is provided as an example only. It should help you get started creating your own.

Adjusting the Syllabus

Each group of students will have a unique response to the material. For some groups of students, the sample syllabus that follows would be challenging; other groups may need to work at a faster pace.

Your syllabus will reflect the parameters and focus of your course, as well as your individual teaching style. Possible variations on the sample syllabus include the following:

In a course that meets more hours throughout the semester, you could target more material, include more review, and/or require more writing or speaking.
You may very well choose to be less specific in your course calendar, especially the first time you teach this class.
Quizzes or tests could be a helpful addition.
Grading policies should conform to school requirements as well as your teaching style.

Early in the semester, everything will seem new. As you progress, however, students will have reviewed more and more of the basics, and all that they learn should come together in their writing or speaking. Use the writing and speaking they produce (with the possible addition of tests or quizzes) to judge their mastery of the rules. In general, hold students responsible for the rules only after the class has reviewed those rules.

The sample syllabus repeats particular categories. For example, “Using the Right Word” shows up in one form or another in each class session. Providing such routines adds a sense of continuity to the class; students feel more at ease if they know what to expect.

Another feature of the sample syllabus is the capstone portfolio. Creating a portfolio of finished, corrected class work allows students to leave the class with useful documents and models. In the sample course calendar, that portfolio is assembled near the end of the semester, and work time is built into one class session for perfecting documents. Again, this is only one way to teach the class.

The homework summary at the end of the syllabus is redundant since the homework has already been listed in the course calendar. However, many students will find it useful. Such a summary—an assignments-only chart—can help students stay organized.

Sample Syllabus

(Copy Syllabus Template.)

Workplace Writing (1 credit)

Tuesday, 3:30–5:25 p.m. / Westlake 325a / Spring 2022

Instructor: Kathleen Henning / 555–8308 / office E251 / henningk@fcp.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday / Thursday 12:30–1:00; 2:30–3:30; Wednesday 12:00–2:00

Required Text / Materials:

Write for Work (Henning et al.)
The American Heritage Dictionary or other college-level dictionary

Course Description: This class reviews the fundamentals of grammar, emphasizing practical application of English in business correspondence.

Course Competencies:

Use the steps of the writing process.
Write sentences and paragraphs using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
Write e-mail correctly.
Write professional business letters and a job-application letter.
Write a professional memo.
Create a résumé that could be used in a job search.
Write a clear and correct summary.
Write clear and correct instructions.

Campus Closing Information: In the case of severe weather, monitor local TV or radio, or www.fpc.edu, for campus closing information.

Cell Phones/Texting:

Ringing phones distract the class. Please let the teacher know in advance if you need to leave your cell phone on because of a possible emergency.
Texting during class is rude. Don’t.

Attendance Policy: This is a PRACTICE class; therefore, good attendance is essential. You will be graded on attendance and participation as indicated below.

Course Grade:

You will earn points for attendance/participation and writing assignments. (There will be thirteen major assignments and four smaller assignments.)

Class attendance and participation	3 points per session	16 x 3 = 48 possible
Major writing assignments	9 points each possible	13 x 9 = 117 possible
Drafts / small writing assignments	3 points each possible	4 x 3 = 12 possible
		Total = 177 possible points

Final Grading Scale:

A = 90% (159–177 points)
B = 80% (141–158 points)
C = 70% (123–140 points)
D = 60% (106–122 points)

Writing Assignments

Major writing assignments will be awarded up to 3 points for each of three traits of writing, for a total of 9 possible points.

Trait	Points
Ideas	3. Clear purpose, full development, excellent support (details, reasons, etc.) 2. Some sense of purpose, partial development, some relevant support 1. Purpose unclear, little development, weak or no support
Organization	3. Logical, fluid organization; strong introduction, transitions, and conclusion; well-developed, focused paragraphs 2. Basic organization evident; introduction, transitions, and/or conclusion could be stronger; paragraphs focused but need more development 1. Disorganized; parts not a unified whole; paragraphs undeveloped or lack focus; transitions awkward or absent
Conventions	3. Virtually no grammatical or mechanical errors 2. Grammatical and mechanical awareness—but a lack of careful proofreading 1. Substantial grammatical and/or mechanical errors; distract from content

Drafts and small assignments will be worth up to 3 points each.

Additional Assignments

If you are a student who struggles with punctuation, mechanics, usage, and/or grammar, the instructor may assign additional individualized work to help you master these important basics. Additional assignments might include

completing other assigned written or electronic exercises, and/or
meeting (small group or one-on-one) with a teacher or tutor in the college’s tutoring center for a prescribed period of time.

If you are given one or more of these assignments, take it (them) seriously. In addition to your normal class work, you will have to show successful completion of all extra assignments in order to pass the class.

Course portfolio: Keep your graded writing assignments when they are returned to you. Near the end of the semester, you will assemble a portfolio of your corrected writing (your company profile; your career plan, résumé, and cover letter; and examples of writings such as e-mail, memos, business letters, summaries, and instructions).

Course Calendar

(Copy Course Calendar and Homework Summary Template.)

Week	Class Topic	Homework Due Next Session
1	Introductions Mechanics: Sentences (pp. 342–345) Usage: Commonly Confused Words (p. 272)	Read pp. 3–5. Create your company profile (9 points), using the form on p. 5 and the reflection on p. 6.
2	Share company profiles. E-mails (pp. 49–60) Punctuation: Periods (p. 222) Sentences: Sentence Fragments (pp. 368–369) Usage: Commonly Confused Words (p. 273)	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 55 (e-mail). (9 points)
3	Share e-mails. Memos (pp. 61–70) Punctuation: Commas I (pp. 224–225) Sentences: Faulty Sentences (pp. 370–371) Usage: Right Word (pp. 274–277)	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 63 (memo). (9 points)
4	Share memos. The Writing Process (p. 7–22) Sentences: Shifts in sentence construction (pp. 372–373) Usage: Right Word (pp. 278–281)	Do the “Publish” assignment, p. 21 (e-mail), using the work done in class to get you started. (9 points)
5	Share e-mails. Seven Traits (ideas and organization, pp. 23–27) Business Letters (overview, pp. 71–86) Punctuation: Commas II (pp. 226–227) Usage: Right Word (pp. 282–283)	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 73 (business letter). (9 points)
6	Share letters. Seven Traits (voice, pp. 28–29) Business Letters (review, pp. 71–86) Punctuation: Commas III and IV (pp. 228–231) Mechanics: Capitalization I and II (pp. 252–255) Usage: Right Word (pp. 284–285)	Create a letter that could be sent to the editor of a local newspaper from the head of your company. The letter could protest an action taken by the city council that could adversely affect your company, the local economy, the quality of life in the community, etc.; OR praise local citizens for taking part in a charity event (for instance, a 10-kilometer walk or a fund-raising fair) sponsored by your company. (9 points)
7	Share letters. Punctuation: Apostrophe I (pp. 244–245) Mechanics: Capitalization III (pp. 256–257) Usage: Right Word (pp. 286–289)	No homework
8	Seven Traits (sentences, p. 31) Summaries (pp. 87–96) Punctuation: Apostrophe II (pp. 246–247) Mechanics: Plurals I (pp. 258–259) Usage: Right Word (pp. 290–291)	Find a magazine or journal article that relates to your career field and write a summary of the article. Attach a copy of the original article to your finished work. (9 points)
9	Share summaries. Seven Traits (conventions, p. 32) Instructions (pp. 97–106) Mechanics: Plurals II (pp. 260–261) Sentences: Subject-Verb Agreement I (pp. 362–363) Usage: Right Word (pp. 292–293)	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 99 (instructions). (9 points)
10	Share instructions. Seven Traits (design, pp. 33–35) Career Plan (pp. 175–182) Punctuation: Semicolon and Colon (pp. 232–233) Mechanics: Numbers (pp. 262–265) Usage: Right Word (pp. 294–295)	Create your career plan, using the format on pp. 178–179. (9 points)
11	Share career plans. Career counselor visits our classroom. Preview Résumé chapter (pp. 191–202). Punctuation: Hyphen (pp. 234–235) Sentences: Subject-Verb Agreement II (pp. 364–365) Usage: Right Word (pp. 296–297)	Read Résumé chapter (191–202) Complete the résumé “Gathering” information on pp. 192–193. (3 points)
12	Résumé writing workshop Punctuation: Dash, Question Mark, etc. (pp. 236–237) Sentences: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement (pp. 366–367) Usage: Right Word (pp. 298–299)	First draft of résumé (3 points) Comma review: Copy the 14 comma rules from pp. 224–230, and follow each rule with an original sentence that clearly demonstrates that rule. (9 points)
13	Share résumé drafts. Job-Related Letters (pp. 203–210), especially cover letters Punctuation: Quotation Marks (pp. 238–239) Sentences: Ambiguous Wording (pp. 374–375) Usage: Right Word (pp. 300–301)	Take a revised copy of your résumé to a professional in your field. Get his/her written feedback (could be notes written on the résumé itself) and bring it to class the next time with your résumé. (3 points) First draft of cover letter. (3 points)
14	Share cover letters and résumé insights. Revise résumé, cover letter. Punctuation: Italics and Slashes (pp. 240–241) Sentences: Nonstandard Language (pp. 376–377) Usage: Right Word (pp. 302–303)	Final copy of your résumé and cover letter (9 points each; 18 points total) Bring electronic and graded paper copies of the semester’s work to class.
15	Assemble your business-writing portfolio. (We will begin work in class on preparing final copies and putting the portfolio together.) Punctuation: Parentheses (pp. 242–243) Mechanics: Abbreviations (pp. 266–267) Usage: Right Word (pp. 304–305)	Final (complete and correct) portfolio (9 points)
16	Share portfolios. Mechanics: Spelling (pp. 268–269) Usage: Right Word (pp. 306–309) Semester review

Homework Summary

(Copy Course Calendar and Homework Summary Template.)

Week	Assignment	Possible Points
1	Read pp. 3–5. Create your company profile, using the form on p. 5 and the reflection on p. 6.	9 points
2	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 55 (e-mail).	9 points
3	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 63 (memo).	9 points
4	Do the “Publish” assignment, p. 21 (e-mail), using the work done in class to get you started.	9 points
5	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 73 (business letter).	9 points
6	Create a letter that could be sent to the editor of a local newspaper from the head of your company. The letter could protest an action taken by the city council that could adversely affect your company, the local economy, the quality of life in the community, etc.; OR praise local citizens for taking part in a charity event (for instance, a 10-kilometer walk or a fund-raising fair) sponsored by your company.	9 points
7	No homework
8	Find an article in a magazine or journal that relates to your career field and write a summary of the article. Attach a copy of the original article to your finished work.	9 points
9	Do the “Write” assignment, p. 99 (instructions).	9 points
10	Create your career plan, using the format on pp. 178–179.	9 points
11	Read Résumé chapter (191–202) Complete the résumé “Gathering” information on pp. 192–193.	3 points for the résumé “Gathering”
12	First draft of résumé Comma review: Copy the 14 comma rules from pp. 224–230, and follow each rule with an original sentence that clearly demonstrates that rule.	3 points for first draft of résumé 9 points for comma review
13	Take a revised copy of your résumé to a professional in your field. Get his/her written feedback (could be notes written on the résumé itself) and bring it to class the next time with your résumé. First draft of cover letter.	3 points for the résumé 3 points for the cover letter
14	Final copy of your résumé and cover letter Bring electronic and graded paper copies of the semester’s work to class.	9 points for résumé 9 points for cover letter
15	Final (complete and correct) portfolio	9 points

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