Specialized Professional Writing

Specialized Professional Writing English 3413 Professor Diane Abdo Tentative Syllabus/Fall 2010 Email: [email protected] HSS 4.03.06/ 210-458-5390 Office Hours: MWF 9-10 a.m., 1-2 p.m. (and by appointment)

August 25-27 Course introduction Diagnostic writing Discussion of professional writing assignment (See pp 28-30 for research ideas)

August 30-September 3 “What do professional writers do?” assignment due Profile interview assignment preparation (provide interview resources) Section I—Strategic Writing (pp 1-10) Section II—Strategic Writing in Public Relations (pp 31-68)

September 7-10 (Labor Day holiday) Profile draft due Strategic Writing in Public Relations (cont.) Profile assignment due Discussion of public relations assignment

September 13-17 Media Kit Guidelines (pp 69-80) AP Stylebook introduction Draft of public relations assignment due Pitches (pp 53-57) Pitch writing collaboration Public relations assignment due

September 20-24 Pitch writing collaboration (cont.) PR writing assignment due Speeches (pp 92-97) Discussion of speech writing assignment

September 27-October 1 Speech teamwork Speech presentations Interviewing

October 4-8 Newsletter and Magazine Writing (pp 80-87) Best Newspaper Writing Discussion of feature writing October 11-15 Feature Writing (cont.) Best Newspaper Writing Conferences

October 18-22 Feature writing draft due Editing AP Stylebook Best Newspaper Writing

October 25-29 Feature writing due Strategic Writing in Advertising pp 115-138 Discussion of advertising assignment

November 1-5 Section I pp 17-30 Ethics, law, diversity and persuasion Guest speaker Quiz

November 8-12 Strategic Writing in Sales and Marketing/Proposals and Marketing Plans (pp 165-173) Brochures pp 174-185 Sales Letters pp 185-189

November 15-19 Discussion of Proposals and Marketing Plan Direct Mail Package pp 191-196 assignment discussion

November 22-24 (Thanksgiving holiday) Proposal/Marketing plan/Direct Mail Package continued

November 29-December 3 Discussion of specialized field writing and assignment

Note: December 6 and 7 are student study days. Classes do not meet. Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1:30-4:00 p.m. (Direct Mail Package presentations)

This syllabus is provided for informational purposes regarding the anticipated course content and schedule of this course. It is based upon the most recent information available on the date of its issuance and is as accurate and complete as possible. I reserve the right to make any changes I deem necessary and/or appropriate. I will make my best efforts to communicate any changes to the syllabus in a timely manner. Students are responsible for being aware of these changes.