Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: Strategic Writing for PCOM

Students learn to write standard messages and documents including e-mail, memos, letters to the editor, fundraising letters, news releases, brochures, and feature stories. Prerequisites: CDAE 1240, ENGL 1001, or ENGL 1740; Public Communication majors/minors only.

Prereqs enforced by the system: CDAE 1240 or ENGL 1001 or ENGL 1740; Online asynchronous course; COM majors and minors only; Open to Degree and PACE students

Strategic writing is goal-oriented writing, whether you are using it to help an organization achieve its goals, or writing a persuasive cover letter to convince a recruiter to hire you. This course introduces the essential skills needed to write strategically, concisely and vibrantly in any format: Identifying and targeting messages and story ideas, planning and organizing a story, interviewing, writing feature stories and press releases, newsletters, blogs, social media posts, advertising copy, and opinion pieces. We will also cover strategic writing for *you,* including cover letters and Linked In profiles. Every student will be expected to turn in polished, professional work in a timely fashion.

This is an asynchronous online course, so there is no daily meeting time. However, there will be regular lecture presentations, online readings and assignments. Students can expect to spend 1-2 hours a week on coursework outside of class. ***NOTE: Please don’t take this class if you have a full schedule, thinking you can just “squeeze it in” whenever you have time--there is work due every week.

Grades will be based on attendance (i.e., logging in regularly), completion of assignments--and overall professionalism, as would be expected in a workplace.