Module 5 Activities

Eng 209/WI Business Writing

Module 5: Avoiding Biased Language/Sales Proposals

Mod 5 Introduction

Mod 5 Readings

Mod 5 Activities

Mod 5 Discussion

Mod 5 WA

Modules

Module 5 Activities
The activities below will help you accomplish this module's learning objectives. Each activity is explained below. The description tells you the tool in Laulima to use to submit your work (Assignments, Forums, TTS) and the points you can earn.

Before you begin: Print this Mod 5 Activities Checklist (.pdf) to help you keep track of dates, tools, and points.

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES (5)

1. Module 5 discussion (20 points) in FORUMS

Our discussions encourage us to consider what we're reading and writing about. This module's topic helps you think about what's important for a fulfilled professional and personal life.

Visit the Module 5 discussion page for details and instructions for this week's discussion topic.

2. Module 5 Activity 1: Business Writing Key #7 avoiding Biased language (20 points) in TTS

Biased language loses business. You can easily avoid biased language through careful word choices.

To complete this activity, follow these steps:

Before you attempt this exercise, re-read avoiding biased language (.pdf), one of the required readings in the mod 6 readings page.
Complete the activity in the WebCT quiz tool.
You will be presented with a sentence that may or may not have biased language and several rewritten sentences. If the sentence has bias, choose the rewritten sentence that avoids bias.

Although this activity is not a quiz, it is located in the TTS quiz tool.

3. Module 5 Feedback (5 points) in FORUMS

Post feedback to at least one classmate's mod 5 discussion. Remember to wait until the discussion session has finished before you post feedback.

4. Module 5 writing assignment #9 sales proposal (70 pts) in ASSIGNMENTS

An effective sales proposal is key to the success of many businesses. WA 9 is a practical and fun introduction to writing your first sales proposal with visual aid.

Visit the Module 5 Writing Assignments page for directions, samples, templates and more for WA 9.

5. Quiz: Module 5 Quiz (60 points) in TTS

Before you take this quiz, be sure you've completed all the required readings in the Module 5 Readings page.

EXTRA CREDIT ACTIVITY

6. INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS BLOGGING AND SOCIAL NETWORKING (5 Ec pts) in ASSIGNMENTS

Traditional media -- newspapers, television, and radio -- are giving way to dynamic social media as a way to build personal relationship with customers and other businesses. This extra credit activity is an introduction to blogging and social networks for business uses.

To complete this activity, follow these steps:

Watch these two video clips (to start videos, always click the right-facing > play arrow)

Blogs in Plain English (video clip) Learn the basics of blogging with this brief video.
Benefits of Business Blogging (.pdf). If you want to, you can view the author's video, too (the article she refers to is the one linked in this bullet)
See how businesses are using Facebook, YouTube, and other social media (video clip) This interview with social media expert Ben Wills discusses the growing role of social media in business.

Answer these questions (to earn extra credit, you must answer at least 5 of the questions below)

What is blogging? What is social networking?
How do blogging and social networking differ from traditional media such as newspapers, television, and radio?
Debbie Ducic says there are 8 ways companies can benefit from business blogging. Which of these benefits makes sense to you?
Do you have any favorite blogs? Have you post comments on blogs? Have you used blogs to share info?
Do you have your own blog?
Do you have a Facebook (or other social network) page? What do you use your page for? How often do you go online socially? Have you seen Facebook or MySpace pages for bands, artists, etc.)?
Have you used videos to learn skills or to learn about new products (such as the Rose Morris music shop clips on YouTube mentioned in the Ben Willis interview)?

Compose your thoughtful answers in your word processing software, spell checked, then copied and pasted into the textbox of the Assignment Drop Box for this activity. There is no set format for this activity.

(interested in learning more? See recommended readings in Mod 5 readings page)

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