ENG 301: Power Writing

Course Description

This course will focus on specific tools for organizing, writing, and editing. The tools are practical applications, not theory, and relate directly to writing needs. Models are reviewed and participants develop editing skills systematically to gain reader satisfaction. Topics include hard references for clarity, ruthless phrase cutting for simplicity, KISS and word choice for reader acceptance, inventive mapping for organization of complex writing tasks, and formatting for effectiveness. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • ENG 101 English Composition 1

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Apply six basic rules to improve and organize their writing.
  2. Have a high level of control over their writing.
  3. Know in advance how their writing will affect a typical reader.
  4. Create written communications that are shorter, simpler, clearer, pleasant and more effective than their current writing.
  5. Establish additional objectives for their personal/professional development.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions, required responses, and extra responses

50%

Quizzes

10%

Midterm Exam (Week 8)

5%

Final Report (Week 13)

10%

Portfolio (Week 14)

15%

Final Exam (Week 15)

10%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak's online bookstore

  • Hayakawa, Samuel I. Language in Thought and Action. 5th ed. Harvest Books, 1990. ISBN-10: 0-15-648240-1 or ISBN-13: 978-0-15-648240-0

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1, 4, 5

  • Topics:
    • Welcome and Introduction to Power Writing
    • Grammar Self-Assessment
    • Resume and Cover Letters
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture
    • Hayakawa, "Preface" and Chapter 1
    • Course Documents on Final Portfolio and Final Paper
  • Complete the Grammar Assessment exercises (available in online course)
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Take the quizzes
  • Submit resume and cover letter according to directions in online course

2

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #1: Edit After You Write
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material by Peter Elbow and students just below lecture
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 2
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions

3

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #2: Box Subjects
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and "A Sentence is Not a Complete Thought" just below lecture
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 3
    • Course Documents material on X-Word Grammar
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete sentence assignment according to directions in online course

4

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #3: Check Prepositions
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 4
    • Course Documents on Prepositions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete preposition assignment according to directions in online course

5

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #4: Simplify Word Choice: KISS
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 5
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete word choice assignment according to directions in online course

6

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Continue Rule #5: Kiss and Sell
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 6
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete tone assignment according to directions in online course

7

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #5: Organize-Brainstorm, List, Map, Zero Draft
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa Chapter 7 and Prologue to second half of Hayakawa
    • “A City is Not a Tree” in Course Documents
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete brainstorming assignment according to directions in online course
  • Submit topic and outline for final report

8

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Rule #6: Format
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 8
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Midterm Exam

Midterm Exam
SLOs: All

9

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Long Reports and Proposals in response to Requests For Proposals (RFP)
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 9
    • Memo revisions in “Course Documents”
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit research component for final report

10

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Technical Writing: Brainstorm and Map a Report
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 10
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit expanded map and outline of final report

11

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: RFPs and Reports
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 11
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit topic and brief outline of final report

12

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topics: Letters, Memos, Graphics, Abstracts/Posters, Further Considerations in Computer Use and Formatting
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 12
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions

13

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Portfolios, Presentations, and Hard Copy: Final Report
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapter 13
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit final portfolio

14

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: International Communication
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapters 14-15
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete international communication assignment following directions in course shell
  • Submit final portfolio

15

1, 2, 3, 4

  • Topic: Wrap-up
  • Readings:
    • Weekly Lecture and related material
    • Hayakawa, Chapters 16-17
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Take the quizzes
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete revision assignment following directions in course shell
  • Complete Final Exam

Final Exam
SLOs: All

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.