1、Business English Writing Produced by：School of Foreign StudiesDrafted by：Business English Writing Curriculum GroupReviewed by：Xiong WenDate： July 30, 2011Part One The Outline of the CourseI. Basic information1. Course code 091000602. Course property, credit and credit hoursGeneral Education, 3 credi
2、ts, 64 credit hours.3. Subjects / Students:Non-English majors 4. Proceeding courses and knowledge preparationsStudents are supposed to have finished the study of College English and have basic English writing knowledge.II. Course Description Business English writing introduces the latest research re
3、sults of business communication both home and abroad, deals with the characteristics of business English writing from basic principles, emphasizes the writing principle and style of simplicity and integrity, clarity and correctness. It inspires students to think and create while developing their abi
4、lity to analyze and make judgments. This course introduces the structures and characteristics of business letters, provides common sentence patterns and expressions of various letters, and explains writing principles. While the course is taught, the students will be organized into different companie
5、s; according to practical business operation procedures, students will be taught to write kinds of business letters, including sales letters, letters of establishing business relations, inquiry and replies, claims and settlements, contracts, resumes, application letters and so on. Abundant exercises
6、 will be arranged to help students improve their business English writing ability and communicative skills. While writing practice is carried out in this course, students will be regularly organized into companies and negotiate about some questions in their business letters. The purpose is on one ha
7、nd to help students get a further understanding of cautions in business English writing and on the other hand promote their ability to settle problems in business negotiation. As business English writing is a very practical course, students practice session will be highlighted by introducing “2 plus
8、 2”teaching model. The “2 plus 2”teaching model refers to 4 classes each week, 2 of which is for teachers lectures and the other 2 for students practice in class. In the practice session, the teachers are expected to organize group discussions in which the group members make comments on others writi
9、ng and class discussions in which the teachers, together with the students, discuss and improve their own writing exercises. In this teaching model, teachers lecture time is somewhat reduced, therefore, students will be guided to do autonomous study after class by using net platforms such as blackbo
10、ard learning system and e-mail.III. Teaching ObjectivesThe teaching aims of this course is that by learning business English writing students should be able to know how to communicate and negotiate by business letters, that by writing business letters and reports students should be able to know how
11、to solve problems in practical business operations and business negotiations in particular, and that by learning this course more application-typed English majors and business tactic personnel could be cultivated to give full play to the timeliness of English- the international business language.IV.
12、 Teaching StaffName DegreeProfessional TitleE-mail Tel OfficeGroup LeaderXiong wenM.AAssociate Professor jenny_13901582495Wenxin 307Yang RongrongM.A. Lecturer 13805187762Wenxin 307Zhang MinM.A. Lecturer 13851589551Wenxin 307Group MembersYin FengjuanM.A. Lecturer 13851687659Wenxin 307V. Teaching R
13、esourcesTextbook： Hu Yingkun, Business English Writing, Foreign language teaching and research press, 2005,9Reference books:1.Ding Wangdao, English writing Manual，Foreign language teaching and research press， 19942. Xiang Xibiao, Business English Writing, Higher Education Press, 20023. Cheng Tongchu
14、n, International Business Correspondence English, Southeast university press, 2007 Reference Websites：http:/http:/http:/VI. Requirements for TeachingTeachers of Business English Writing should be graduates of English majors and years of teaching experience. While teaching, they should utilize multim
15、edia, make use of business materials in the textbook and examples from internet resources, combine them with business knowledge and connect them with practical business activities so as to improve students comprehension and mastery of all kinds of business writing material, to make students memorize
16、 terms, expressions and sentence patterns, and to enable them grasp forms of different business letters and apply them. VII. Requirements for Studying Students should preview before class according to teachers assignment, take an active part in group discussion which a group is the unit and a compan
17、y is the form and mass discussion and practice which a class is the unit, do autonomous study after class by means of blackboard learning system and e-mail, and finish teachers assignment on time.VIII. AssessmentStudents assessment will be based on the class participation and the final examination.
18、Class participation, which is composed of attendance, assignments, and class performance, will account for 40%, whereas final examination, which will be a written test, will take up a percentage of 60% of the final grade.Such an arrangement is due to the fact that final examination alone cant reflec
19、t students real English writing level and writing test is somewhat occasional. In order to make the overall performance more reasonable and scientific, it is necessary that the proportion of final examination should be reduced and that of regular performance increased. Part II Teaching ScheduleWeek
20、Time Chapter and Main ContentClass HourNotes3 2 An overview of business writing 44 2 Establishing Business Relations 4Group Work 15 2 Enquiries 4 Homework 16 2 Replies 47 2 Quotations 4 Homework 28 2 Sales Promotion 4Group work 29 2 Orders and Their Fulfillment 410 2 Claims and settlements 4 Homewor
21、k 311 2Claims and settlementsResume2212 2ResumeApplication letters22Group work 313 2 Application letters 4 Homework 414 2 Recommendation letters 415 2Recommendation lettersInvitations and Thank-you Letters22Homework 516 2Invitations and Thank-you LettersLetters of Apology and Congratulation22Homewor
22、k 617 2Letters of Apology and CongratulationNotice and Memo2218 2Notice and MemoReview22Part Three Key Points in TeachingChapter one An overview of business writing (4 credit hours)1. The function of business writing 1. to inform2. to persuade3. to entertain2. Writing Principles (7 Cs) 1. courtesy2.
23、 correctness3. conciseness4. clarity5. concreteness6. completeness7. consideration3. Writing patterns 1. direct2. indirect4. Writing structure a) Six standard partsHeading, Date, Inside Address, Salutation, Body, Complimentary Close and Signatureb) Six optional partsAttention Line, Reference Number,
24、 Subject or Caption, Enclosure, Postscript and Carbon Copy Notion Chapter Two Establishing business relations (4 credit hours)1. To introduce to the students the information channels a) Chamber Commerce at home and abroadb) Commercial counselors officec) Trade directories of various countries and re
25、gionsd) Advertisement in mediae) Exhibitions and trade fairsf) Marketing investigationsg) Enquiries received from foreign merchantsh) Mutual visit by trade delegations and groupsi) Through the internet2. General structurea) Opening sentenceb) Purpose of contacting the companyc) A self-introductionAs
26、 a exporter: the quality of your products As a importer: the commodities you want to buy, the reference as to your firms financial position and business standing3. Complimentary closure4. Letter Study5. Useful sentence patternsHow to obtain the name and address of the companyWe owe your name and add
27、ress to the Commercial Counselors OfficeHaving obtained your name and address from Mr. Anderson b) Say that you are sending a catalogue, price list, advertising literature, etc;c) Sell your product and explain how it is suitable for your customers needs (provide additional information to attract the
28、 prospects) ;d) Finish the letter with hope by encouraging customers to place orders but not force them3. Useful sentence patternsChapter FiveQuotations (4 credit hours)1. What is a quotationOffer is an expression of selling or purchasing products at a given price, generally put forth in writing. In
29、 the international trade practice, known as the price quotation, is the reply to the inquirys requests, and sometime, directly to the other side without any inquiry.2. The characteristics of a quotation An offer basically includes three main sections：acknowledgement，terms and conditions of business
30、and promotion. 3. Useful sentence patternsChapter SixSales Letters (6 credit hours)1. What is a sales letter2. The basic contents in a sales lettera) To get the customers attention or curiosity.b) To arouse interest.c) To inspire the customers desire.d) To encourage action. 3. The tone in a sales le
31、tter: a) Persuasiveb) Politec) Personal d) Intimatee) Considerate f) You-attitude3. Useful sentence patternsChapter SevenOrders (4 credit hours)1. What is an orderAn offer to buy. When the supplier accept the offer, the agreement is legally binding. An order can be sent by a letter, a printed order
32、form, a fax or an email message.The characteristics of an orderAccuracy $ clarity2. The structure of an ordera) an accurate and full description of goods requiredb) catalogue numbers, quantities, prices, terms of payment agreed uponc) delivery requirements (place, date, packing, shipping marks, mode
33、 of transportation, etc.)3. Useful sentence patternsChapter EightClaims and Settlements (6 credit hours)1. What is a claim and its settlementRoutine claims assume that a request will be granted quickly and willingly, so such letters are most effective in the direct order.It is said to be the most di
34、fficult business letter. When you get a complaint or claim, you may either grant an adjustment or refuse it depending on the circumstances.2. The structure of a claim 1. Begin directly. Tell what is wrong.b) Describe the story in a clear and organized way. c) Name specific actions to correct the pro
35、blem and politely mention strong terms if you fail to get a satisfactory reply.d) End positivelyfriendly but firmly3. The structure of a letter of settlementDirect order:1. Begin directlywith the good news.2. Incidentally (附带地) identify the correspondence that you are answering.3. Avoid negatives th
36、at recall the problem.4. Regain lost confidence through explanation or action.5. End with a friendly, positive comment.Indirect order:a) Begin with words that indicate response to the request and are neutral as to the answer, and set up the strategy.b) Present your justification or explanation, usin
37、g positive language and you-viewpoint.c) Refuse positively.d) End with adapted, goodwill comment.4. Useful sentence patternsChapter NineResume (4 credit hours)1. What is a resumeA resume is a summary of an applicants qualifications for employment or admission to college, usually in the form of an ou
38、tline or list.2. The structure of a resumePersonal Data, Educational Background, Education, Academic Main Courses, English Skills, Computer Abilities, Self Assessment, Employment Experience, Position Wanted:3. Useful sentence patternsChapter TenApplication letter (6 credit hours)1. How to find infor
39、mation on job openinga) College and university placement offices;b) Employment agencies;c) Professional associations;d) Alumni associations;e) Friends and acquaintances;f) Telephone directories;g) News media2. The structure of an application lettera) Give the full name of the college / university yo
40、u are applying for.b) Offer your reasons (the subject and the goal for your study there, you background information related to the application) to apply.c) Tell when you wish to enter.d) Ask to send you a catalog and an application form.e) End the letter with your name and address.3. Useful sentence
41、 patternsChapter ElevenRecommendation Letter (6 credit hours)1. What is a recommendation lettera) to nominate people for awards and for membership in organizationb) to appraise the performance of employees2. The characteristics of a recommendation letter (ppt)a) Respond only to written request.b) Pr
42、ovide only job-related information.c) Avoid vague or ambiguous statement.d) Supply specific evidence for any negative.e) Stress facts.f) State that your remarks are confidential.3. The structure of a recommendation lettera) Opening The name of the candidate and position sought.Describe your relation
43、ship with the candidate.b) Body The applicants academic or job performance and potentialc) ConclusionAn overall evaluation4. Useful sentence patternsChapter TwelveInvitations and Thank-you Letters (4 credit hours)1. What is an invitation2. What is a thank-you letter3. The structure of an invitationI
44、nvitation Carda) Invite the reader to the gatheringb) Offer a reason for the gatheringc) Give the date, time, and place of the gatheringInvitation lettera) Invite the reader to the gatheringb) Give the date, time, and place of the gathering. Sometimes notify what to wearc) Offer a reason for the gat
45、heringd) A closing sentence of hope that the reader will attend the gathering4. The structure of a thank-you lettera) Begin with a statement of thanks b) Be specific about which is appreciatedc) End with a positive and genuine statement5. Useful sentence patternsChapter ThirteenLetters of Apology an
46、d Congratulation (4 credit hours)1. What is a letter of apology 2. What is a letter of congratulation3. The structure of a letter of apologya) Express apology directlyb) Further explanationc) The solutiond) Positive ending with best wishes4. The structure of a letter of congratulationa) Begin with t
47、he reason for writing.b) Tell how you learn the good news and make the reader feel certain that he/she deserves the praise.d) End the letter by using encouraging and conversational tone5. Useful sentence patternsChapter FourteenNotice and Memo (4 credit hours)1. What is a notice 2. What is memo3. Th
48、e structure of a noticea) Headingb) Bodyc) Name of the person issuing the noticed) Position of the person issuing the noticee) Date of the completion of the notice4. The structure of a memoa) Heading segmentThe heading segment follows this general format:TO: (readers names and job titles)FROM: (your name and job title)DATE: (complete and current date)SUBJECT: (what the memorandum is about, highlighted in some way)b) Body segmentOpening Discussing Summary Closing Necessary attachments
