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What is the difference between a Communications course, and an English course? One may believe because they know how to communicate in English means they understand the business of communication. We do not speak the same way to our parents as we would between friends, or a teacher. We may not even speak the same language with our friends at school and our family members. Therefore, understanding when certain formalities and language are appropriate, and when to even send communication, are skillsets that maintain bonds within this wide net of relationships. One may not call a friend in Paris at 3 am, simply because it is a more acceptable hour in Baton Rouge. If there is an emergency, perhaps the time is necessary and should be done through telephone call rather than by email, which a person likely has on Do Not Disturb or silent through overnight hours. While an urgent email may be read faster than others, it may not be read until early Monday morning if sent over the weekend. Understanding the functions of sending a message - including means, time, and quality of delivery - is essential to your reputation. Stories in language courses (like English Language Arts) allow us to view the words and actions of characters; Communications focuses on communicating you to the world.
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"Audience" by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
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This assignment addresses course outcomes # 1, 3, 4, 7.
Pick one of the topics (a) The economic impact of the Ukranian-Russian war in the world, or ( b) Reducing gun violence in America. Using research methodologies that you learned, conduct research using newspaper articles and valid websites. You can also consult appropriate journal articles and textbooks on the topic. Summarize and paraphrase in your own words what you found. Eliminate bias and report your data in an objective manner. Cite sources accurately according to a style of your choice. Create a References page using the same documentation style.
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You have by now
learned how to analyze audience and purpose and collect relevant research data.
In this chapter you will learn the different stages of the writing process –
planning, drafting, and editing. Planning strategies can include brainstorming,
outlining, or freewriting. These techniques help in composing the message. Once
the first draft is completed, editing the document is crucial for improving the
quality of the written message and removing errors. You will also learn the
basic principles of document design and formats common in business
communication.
“Work smart” by Rasheedhrasheed is licensed CC BY
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:Plan, research and provide an outline on “How to Apply for Scholarships in College”. Research and collect data on your preferred states and institutions. Imagine you are writing for high school students who are getting ready to graduate and apply to schools. Provide a complete Reference list with complete documentation.
Your paper is almost done. Your intentions are intact. Your argument is clear. Your closing is bold. However, if your audience has a chance to see the words on the paper, they need to make as much sense to them as your messages seem to you. Self-editing is a tedious process, as we gain a sense of passion and protection for the words we have labored arduously; we may find ourselves using the wrong word spellings - like our and are, or there and their - within our written words. These errors can weaken our message. We must pay attention to the proper usage of words, even name spellings, to show respect for those with which we communicate.
("untitled" by Nic McPhee CC BY-SA 2.0)
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After learning the main three steps of the writing process: analyzing your audience, drafting your message, and editing it, it is time to learn the tips and tricks how to write short messages, which are used the most in business and professional communication. Short messages and can be divided into three main categories: positive, negative, and persuasive messages. This section will discuss positive messages (including information, requests, and replies) and negative messages (typically utilized in claims and complaints).
Image License: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)
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Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities
You have learned the fundamentals of drafting routine messages. Persuasion is an important technique that allows you to convince the audience to do something with the help of valid details. These techniques were identified by classical scholars like Aristotle which are still used today. Persuasion is used to write proposals, bad news messages, and recommendation reports.
"Persuasion" by reihayashi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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This assignment addresses course outcome(s) 1-7.
Locate a place on campus that students frequently use, but needs repair. It could be a computer lab or a science lab, or the library. Investigate the problem and research for solutions. Gather data from the staff. Write a recommendation report to the Dean of Students persuading her to fix the problem.
The most used written document that you are likely to utilize at your employment will be emails. Although emails are considered to be routine messages and you will be writing a lot of them, they still must demonstrate your polished professional presence. Therefore it is very important to master the art of writing emails, so that you may do so quickly and efficiently but without making any errors in grammar or style. This chapter will also discuss how to write professionally on websites, on social media, in text messages, and on instant messaging platforms. In the following chapters you will utilize all of this knowledge to guide you during the process of finding employment and advancing your career.
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Chapter 9 discusses the tools for completing a job search, using various methods and resources. Learners will develop techniques for completing the written component of the job search which consists of a cover letter and resume which will showcase their relative job skills.
"Office workspace - Apply now text on clipboard" by Marco Verch is licensed CC BY
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Until now, this text has focused mainly on strategies for written communication. Chapter 10 turns the attention to acquiring soft skills for communicating effectively. Additionally, learners are given steps to successfully prepare for a job interview.
"Flowers & Plants in the Workplace" by Flower Factor is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. (Links open in new window)
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Almost every posting for a job opening in a workplace location lists teamwork among the required skills. Why? Is it because every employer writing a job posting copies other job postings? No, it's because every employer's business success depends on people working well in teams to get the job done. This chapter explores group communication and strategies for working together toward a common goal.
“AFLCMC Small
Business Office” by Brian Brackens is public domain
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Whether you have a marketing presentation coming up for a potential client or a scientific presentation to give to your expert colleagues, you want to be certain your presentation is built on a sound foundation of current concerns and trends your audience will want you to address. This module will help you consider how to organize presentation information and develop a winning strategy for a surefire professional presentation. While knowledge and research on your topic are key to an effective presentation, do not underestimate the importance of organization.
“untitled”
by Bovee and Thill is CC
BY
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Typically you may consider the word “rhetoric” to refer to written text, which is used to persuade, inform, or both. The same can be said about all of the visual communication that we encounter on a daily basis. We are bombarded with scores of visual messages daily: billboards, t-shirt slogans, company logos, the formatting of a document, and everything you can discern in-between. Visuals ultimately have the power to make arguments – to convince, to stir up emotion, or to simply assist audience in understanding a topic in order to make an informed decision. Visual rhetoric is important because these visual messages should work in tandem with written message. When these two types of rhetoric, visual and textual, are in conflict, the audience receives a mixed message and a confusing one as well. Therefore, it is important for visual rhetoric to complement any accompanying textual rhetoric (or vice-versa).
"Hand, bar and pie chart, dark" by Maximilianklein is licensed CC BY-SA
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Complete the exercises at the end of Chapter 13 of Strategies for Effective Business Communication
All communication is intercultural. The term “intercultural communication” may conjure in your mind a picture of two people from different continents speaking or writing to one another. Every culture you’ve ever participated in has left its mark on you with a set of perspectives and values that shape your worldview and behaviour. Still, you’re a cohesive self rather than a fractured and divided one, which suggests we can all get along with one another despite our cultural differences. This module will explore how culture affects communication and will give you an opportunity to reframe your own perspective on your own culture and how you interact with others.
“ISA Extravaganza” by Intercultural Life at Lafayette is licensed CC BY-NC-SA
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What is wrong? What is right? The answer to these questions will differ depending upon whom you ask about a given situation. While most people within a given environment share moral similarities, it is incorrect to assume that moral norms are always ethical. Morals can be influenced by upbringing and religion, and are only a portion of the conversation regarding ethical behavior. Location and circumstance can change the aspects of who benefits and who suffers from certain actions; both war and a boxing match can determine a winner of a conflict for instance, yet the scale of the impacted groups differ and the trauma associated with each can vary greatly. Much is the same with injustice. This chapter will focus on common missteps in communication that can cause harm, and how to avoid poor, negative, and confusing messaging.
"tattooed military" by Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work is licensed CC BY-SA
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