Persuasive Messages

Order Description

Understanding of a successful business communication through reading, writing, and small group discussions.

COURSE SYLLABUS (QA/CE/01)

Course title    Management communication
Course code    MGT 102
Credits    3 hours
Prerequisite(s)    None
Study program(s)    UGR

A.    Purpose statement

B.    Course description

C.    Textbook(s)
No.    Author    Title    Publisher
1    Locker, Kitty, and Kaczmarek, Stephen.      Business Communication: Building Critical Skills, 5th ed.      McGraw-Hill International Edition, 2011.

D.    Reference texts

E.    Other resources

F.    Course learning outcomes
Upon the successful completion of the course, students are expected to …
No.    Learning Outcome
1    Adapt business messages to type of audience and workplace situation

2    Display awareness of the values, beliefs, and practices in other business cultures

3    Compose well-formatted business letters, memos, and emails

4    Choose an appropriate structure for positive, negative, and persuasive messages

5    Display active listening skills

6    Plan and conduct effective business meetings

G.    Course outline
Week    Topic    Supplementary Material
1    Course Outline
Introduction    In class writing exercise
2    Module 1 (Business Communication, Management, and Success)
3    Module 2 (Adapting your Message to your Audience)
Small Talk in the Business Environment    Homework Assignment #1
4    Module 17 (Listening- Face to Face Communication)
5    Communication over the Telephone
6    Presentation skills     In class group presentations
7    Module 6 (You-attitude)    In class writing exercise
8     MID-TERM EXAMS
9    Module 7/10 (Positive Emphasis/ Informative and Positive Messages)    Homework Assignment #3
10    Module 11 (Negative Messages)
11    Module 12 (Persuasive Messages)    Homework Assignment #4
12    Module 13 (Email Messages)    In class writing exercise
13    Module 9 (Format for Letters and Memos)
14     Final Exams

Persuasive Messages

Order Description
This assignment involves a combination of concepts covered in Chapters 7-9 of B&T. You will use business letter formatting and craft a concise, meaningful message suitable for your audience and purpose. Use the indirect approach.

Directions:

Choose a real business or institution you have received services from (this could be an SJSU-affiliated department or organization if you prefer). You will be writing from the perspective of a consumer/customer or student. Locate a direct contact person (manager) to address the letter to (include the full contact info). For the purpose of your message, choose either:

A situation where you experienced something negative and are now seeking amendment (it helps to document a time frame — i.e., date when something happened)
OR

A suggestion you’d like to make to the business or institution — one which could enhance, improve, or increase business
The context is up to you, but instead of creating a dramatic backstory (or using cliché — e.g., there was a fly in my soup), I recommend drawing from real experience whether or not you would actually send this message. Consider your purpose and audience carefully. Be aware of tone and what it is that you are actually asking for — a response from management, a direct action, or…? It needs to be clear what type of “result” you are actually seeking. Look at a few local reviews for “inspiration,” but keep in mind that you are not writing a Yelp review.

Persuasive Messages

Order Description
This assignment involves a combination of concepts covered in Chapters 7-9 of B&T. You will use business letter formatting and craft a concise, meaningful message suitable for your audience and purpose. Use the indirect approach.

Directions:

Choose a real business or institution you have received services from (this could be an SJSU-affiliated department or organization if you prefer). You will be writing from the perspective of a consumer/customer or student. Locate a direct contact person (manager) to address the letter to (include the full contact info). For the purpose of your message, choose either:

A situation where you experienced something negative and are now seeking amendment (it helps to document a time frame — i.e., date when something happened)
OR

A suggestion you’d like to make to the business or institution — one which could enhance, improve, or increase business
The context is up to you, but instead of creating a dramatic backstory (or using cliché — e.g., there was a fly in my soup), I recommend drawing from real experience whether or not you would actually send this message. Consider your purpose and audience carefully. Be aware of tone and what it is that you are actually asking for — a response from management, a direct action, or…? It needs to be clear what type of “result” you are actually seeking. Look at a few local reviews for “inspiration,” but keep in mind that you are not writing a Yelp review.