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SFSU College of Business | BUS 714 - Elements of Business Writing

Fall 2024 | Sections: 02Z (9725) 2-4:45 pm & 01Z (9724) THURSDAYS 6:30-9:15 pm

Office Hours: Zoom meetings by appointment: Wednesdays 1-3 pm

Email: gchrist@sfsu.edu 

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Week 8

Unit 3 Introduction: Definition-based claims & the Toulmin model

October 17

SUBMIT:

  • Cover Letter FINAL  (Canvas)

READ & WATCH:

Toulmin Midterm Essay - Assignment Description

EA Chapter 7  pp 143-163 on Toulmin argumentation

EA Chapter 9 "Arguments of Definition" pp 197-223

Toulmin Argument

STUDY:

The Toulmin Model - Reading A

The Toulmin Model - Reading B

Definition/Toulmin Argument - Sample practice 1​

Definition/Toulmin Argument - Sample practice 2​

Sample 5  (Toulmin modeling review)

LESSON:

Structuring arguments of definition & the Toulmin model

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Week 9

Workshop: Definition Arguments & The Toulmin Framework

October 24
SUBMIT: ​
  • Definition/Toulmin Exercise  (Canvas)

  • Reading QUIZ  (in class)

READ:

NYT "Libel Law" opinion piece

NYT "Sex Education" opinion piece

STUDY:

Definition/Toulmin - Exercise Description

GMAT sample questions

EXERCISE:

Group work: Outlining a Toulmin argument​

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Week 10

Workshop: Logical Fallacies

October 31
SUBMIT: ​
  • Logical Fallacies QUIZ  (Canvas)

  • Reading QUIZ  (In class)

  • Week 10 Definition/Toulmin Exercise REVISION  (Canvas)

READ & VIEW:

EA Chapter 5 "Fallacies of Argument"  pp 79-95

EA Chapter 6 "Rhetorical Analysis"  pp 97-130

Trump speech transcript  

WATCH:

Analyzing Trump

10 Logical Fallacies  

Deduction & Induction  

STUDY:

What is a logical fallacy?

15 Common Logical Fallacies  

Thinking Logically: Deduction & Induction

REVIEW:

Tips for writing timed essays

How to Write a Great Essay Quickly  

LESSON:

Logical fallacies practice & review

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Week 11 
Midterm Exam
November 7

There is no in-class meeting this week. Please complete your midterm exam and submit it in Canvas as directed

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SUBMIT:

  • Definition/Toulmin ESSAY (timed in course, 700 words min; 11:55 pm deadline)  (Canvas)

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Week 12 
Unit Introduction: RFPs & Proposals
November 14

READ:

EA Chap 12 "Proposals" pp 291-309

BWC "Proposals" pp 120-132

BWC "Formal Reports" pp 176-201

Project Proposal/RFP Assignment Description

Proposals at a glance

Checklists for proposal writing

Business Plans vs Business Proposals  

REVIEW (You are NOT required to read all of the items linked below. Read and refer to them only as needed throughout the proposal unit):
* Please Note: The resources below are LARGE scanned files:
Some may take time to load on your machine

Deadline Tips for Proposal Writing

Internal Proposals

  1. Sample Internal Proposal - Watershed Protection

External Proposals, pt 1

External Proposals, pt 2

  1. Sample External Proposal 1 - Stationary Bike

  2. Sample External Proposal 2 - Community Exercise

  3. Sample External Proposal 3 - Investment Strategy

  4. Sample External Proposal 4 - Real Estate Development

  5. Sample External Proposal 5 - Solar Project

  6. Sample External Proposal 6 - Data Analytics

  7. Sample External Proposal 7 - Solar Paint

  8. Sample External Proposal 8 - Mobile Payment App 

Request for Proposals (RFP)

  1. Sample RFP I - Website Development

  2. Sample RFP 2 - Building Redevelopment

  3. Sample RFP 3 - Sustainability

  4. Sample RFP 4 - Shuttle Service

  5. Sample RFP 5 - Solid Waste Reduction

  6. Sample RFP 6 - Uber Community Program

  7. Sample RFP 7 - Mobile Payment App 

PROPOSAL TEMPLATES:

Business Proposal Template  

Proposal Sample Template

Grant Proposal Template

Blank Template I

Blank Template II

LESSON:
Proposal writing & planning
Dates & Deadlines

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First day of class:  August 29  

Labor Day recess:  September 2 

Add/Drop deadline:  September 16  

Veteran's Day recess:  November 11 

Withdraw deadline:  November 11  

Thanksgiving recess:  Nov 25-29 
Last day of class:  December 12  

Last day of the term:  December 20  

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