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1
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Effective Business Communications
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- Why Is It Important to Communicate Well?
- What Is Communication?
- Communication in Context
- Business Ethics and Your Responsibilities as a Communicator
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- Recognize the importance of communication in gaining a better understanding of yourself and others.
- Explore how communication skills help you solve problems, learn new things, and build your career.
- Define communication, and describe communication as a process.
- Identify and describe the eight essential components of communication.
- Identify and describe models of communication.
- Learn types of communication contexts.
- Explore several examples of each of the two main responsibilities of a business communicator.
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2
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Delivering Your Message: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
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- What Is Language?
- Messages
- Principles of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Language Can be an Obstacle to Communication
- Nonverbal Communication in Digital Workspaces
- Visual Aids
- Improving Verbal Communication
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- Define language and the role of language in perception and the communication process.
- Describe different parts of a message and their functions.
- Describe how language serves to shape our experience of reality.
- Demonstrate ways in which language can be an obstacle or barrier to communication.
- Explore the differences between clichés, jargon, and slang.
- Demonstrate the effective use of visuals in an oral or written presentation.
- Understand how to assess the audience, choose an appropriate tone, and check for understanding and results in an oral or written presentation.
- Explore nonverbal communication and describe its role in the digital workspaces.
- Learn how to use visual aids effectively in your presentation.
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3
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Understanding your Audience
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- Self-Understanding Is Fundamental to Communication
- Perception and Differences in Perception
- Getting to Know Your Audience
- Listening and Reading for Understanding
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- Understand the factors that contribute to self-concept.
- Explore how the self-fulfilling prophecy works.
- Learn the concept of perception.
- Explore the process of selection and the factors that influence it.
- Explain how interpretation influences our perceptions.
- Determine how perception differs between people.
- Describe three ways to better understand and reach your audience.
- Explore the importance of becoming an active listener and reader.
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4
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Effective Business Writing
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- Oral versus Written Communication
- How Is Writing Learned?
- Good Writing
- Style in Written Communication
- Principles of Written Communication
- Overcoming Barriers to Effective Written Communication
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- Explore how written communication is similar to oral communication, and how it is different.
- Explain how reading, writing, and critical thinking contribute to becoming a good writer.
- Explore six basic qualities that characterize good business writing.
- Understand the rhetorical elements and cognate strategies that contribute to good writing.
- Learn the appropriate use of colloquial, casual, and formal writing in at least one document of each style.
- Understand the rules that govern written language.
- Understand the legal implications of business writing.
- Explore some common barriers to written communication and how to overcome them.
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5
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Writing Preparation
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- Think, Then Write: Writing Preparation
- A Planning Checklist for Business Messages
- Research and Investigation: Getting Started
- Ethics, Plagiarism, and Reliable Sources
- Completing Your Research and Investigation
- Reading and Analyzing
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- Explore why preparation is important in business writing.
- Think critically to overcome common fears of writing
- Understand who, what, where, when, why, and how as features of writing purpose.
- Analyze the planning process and essential elements of a business document.
- Compare and contrast ways of knowing your reading audience.
- Understand how to be ethical, avoid plagiarism, and use reputable sources in your writing.
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6
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Writing
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- Organization
- Writing Style
- Making an Argument
- Paraphrase and Summary versus Plagiarism
- Ethics and Content Selection
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- Understand how to develop and organize content in patterns that are appropriate for your document and audience.
- Explore how to compose logically organized paragraphs, sentences, and transitions in one or more written assignments.
- Explore how to prepare and present information using a writing style that will increase understanding, retention, and motivation to act.
- Learn how to form a clear argument with appropriate support to persuade your audience.
- Recognize and understand inherent weaknesses in fallacies.
- Understand the difference between paraphrasing or summarizing and plagiarism.
- Understand how to give proper credit to sources that are quoted verbatim, and sources whose ideas are paraphrased or summarized.
- Understand the importance of ethical research in developing your topic.
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7
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Revising and Presenting your Writing
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- General and Specific Revision Points to Consider
- Style Revisions
- Evaluating the Work of Others
- Proofreading and Design Evaluation
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- Understand the process and purpose of revision.
- Learn three general elements of every document that require revision.
- Explore six specific elements of every document to check for revision.
- Understand the difference between revising and proofreading, and how to use proofreading marks.
- Learn six design elements for evaluation.
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8
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Feedback in the Writing Process
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- Diverse Forms of Feedback
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research
- Feedback as an Opportunity
- How am I Doing?
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- Describe feedback as part of the writing process.
- Compare and contrast the feedback that can be obtained with qualitative and quantitative research.
- Explore validity, reliability, and statistical significance.
- Describe the five types of feedback identified by Carl Rogers.
- Understand the importance of feedback, even if it is negative.
- Describe the effective use of open- and closed-ended questions.
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9
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Business Writing in Action
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- Text, Email, Netiquette and Negative Emails
- Memorandums and Letters
- Business Proposal
- Report
- Résumé and Cover Letter
- Sales Message
- Crisis Communication Plan
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- Recognize the role of text messaging in business communication.
- Explore the appropriate use of netiquette.
- Understand the purpose and format of a memo.
- Explore effective strategies for business memos.
- Learn effective strategies to use in a business proposal.
- Explore the main parts of a report.
- Understand the different types of reports.
- Explore the differences among functional, reverse chronological, combination, targeted, and scannable résumés.
- Explore what features are required in each type of résumé.
- Understand how to prepare a crisis communication plan.
- Write an effective Yes/No email.
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10
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Communication to Inform
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- Functions of Communication to Inform
- Types of Communication to Inform
- Adapting Your Presentation to Teach
- Diverse Types of Intelligence and Learning Preferences
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- Understand the functions of communication to inform.
- Learn the difference between exposition and interpretation.
- Analyze what an audience-centered perspective is.
- Learn examples of ways to facilitate active listening.
- Learn the concepts of multiple intelligences and learning styles, and identify different types of intelligence and learning styles that audience members may have.
- Explore ways to incorporate ethics in a speech.
- Draft an exploratory informational report with research.
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11
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Communication to Persuade
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- What Is Persuasion?
- Principles of Persuasion
- Functions of the Presentation to Persuade
- Meeting the Audience’s Basic Needs
- Making an Argument
- Communicating Ethically and Avoiding Fallacies
- Elevator Speech
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- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of persuasion.
- Describe similarities and differences between persuasion and motivation.
- Explore how to use six principles of persuasion.
- Learn the effective use of five functions of communicating to persuade.
- Identify several basic needs that people seek to fulfill when they communicate.
- Learn the three components of an argument.
- Explore examples of emotional appeals.
- Demonstrate the importance of ethics as part of the persuasion process.
- Explore examples of eight common fallacies in persuasive communication.
- Learn the basic parts of an elevator speech.
- Draft a persuasive business memo.
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12
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Communicating to Varied Audiences: Intercultural and Intergenerational Communication
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- Intercultural Communication
- Intergenerational Communication
- Changing Demographics
- Strategies for Effective Communication
- Common Cultural Characteristics
- Divergent Cultural Characteristics
- International Communication and the Global Marketplace
- Styles of Management
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- Define how to facilitate intercultural and intergenerational communication.
- Define the effects of ethnocentrism.
- Learn strategies to understand intercultural and intergenerational communication, prejudice, and ethnocentrism.
- Understand the concept of common cultural characteristics.
- Explore divergent cultural characteristics.
- Explore international and the global marketplace communication, including political, legal, economic, and ethical systems.
- Draft a résumé and mini-professional profile.
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13
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Group Communication, Teamwork and Leadership
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- Workspaces: Then and Now–A Comparative Analysis
- Communication Benefits of Different Work Environments
- Flexing Strategies in the Workplace
- What Is a Group?
- Group Problem Solving
- Using Technology to Facilitate Meetings
- Organizational Communication
- Collaboration in the 21st Century Workplace
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- Review workspaces of then and now.
- Analyze the benefits of differing work environments.
- Understand flexing strategies in the workplace.
- Understand groups and teams.
- Explore how primary and secondary groups meet our interpersonal needs.
- Identify how to implement seven steps for group problem solving.
- Understand how to prepare for and conduct business meetings using available technology.
- Understand how to use technology to aid in group communications.
- Understand the basic principles of organizational communication.
- Learn what the 21st century workplace is like and how it functions.
- Compose a written cover letter/extended elevator pitch designed for a professional position in a workspace.
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14
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Final Assessment and Self Reflection
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this is a great way to complete Communications
this is a great way to complete Communications
same course given at the Universities at a lower charge
same course given at the Universities at a lower charge
An excellent overview of the main forms of communication and good practices. Clearly explained what is specific to Business Communication.
An excellent overview of the main forms of communication and good practices. Clearly explained what is specific to Business Communication.
A good written communications course overall. The writing assignments supplement the textbook activities well.
A good written communications course overall. The writing assignments supplement the textbook activities well.
This course is great because it allows you to have a flexible school schedule; plus is is very affordable. However, Straighterline needs to work on the quizzes and tests. Questions were incorrect and often tricky. Questions were repeated in the same quiz or test too. Also, paper assignment instructions were terrible because they did not provide clear guides on how to format papers. Now, there is tutoring available that was helpful, but definitely this was a frustrating class.
Overall I felt it was a good course. I learned a lot and actually enjoyed the material. However, the instructions for the written assignments were often confusing. I was not sure how I was supposed to format the assignments, or if I had included everything like I needed to. The tutoring that is made available was not very helpful for the papers because they just gave general advice and not specific tips for the assignment. And even now that my papers have been graded, I am still not sure if I wrote them correctly as the feedback was not extremely helpful. Also, some of the test questions in this course were either very confusing or incorrect. Several questions I felt were subjective to the viewer's opinion and there was one question that was completely wrong. However, Straighterline did work with me and gave me credit for it once they realized it was wrong. I ended up getting a high score on the course, so if you are willing to deal with some unclear questions and writing assignments, then this course is worth it. I did truly learn a lot but was frustrated with some of the problems I mentioned above.
This course is great because it allows you to have a flexible school schedule; plus is is very affordable. However, Straighterline needs to work on the quizzes and tests. Questions were incorrect and often tricky. Questions were repeated in the same quiz or test too. Also, paper assignment instructions were terrible because they did not provide clear guides on how to format papers. Now, there is tutoring available that was helpful, but definitely this was a frustrating class.
Overall I felt it was a good course. I learned a lot and actually enjoyed the material. However, the instructions for the written assignments were often confusing. I was not sure how I was supposed to format the assignments, or if I had included everything like I needed to. The tutoring that is made available was not very helpful for the papers because they just gave general advice and not specific tips for the assignment. And even now that my papers have been graded, I am still not sure if I wrote them correctly as the feedback was not extremely helpful. Also, some of the test questions in this course were either very confusing or incorrect. Several questions I felt were subjective to the viewer's opinion and there was one question that was completely wrong. However, Straighterline did work with me and gave me credit for it once they realized it was wrong. I ended up getting a high score on the course, so if you are willing to deal with some unclear questions and writing assignments, then this course is worth it. I did truly learn a lot but was frustrated with some of the problems I mentioned above.
Business Communications is a must have for management and customer service representatives. This course helped me learn to properly communicate with my customers.
Business Communications is a must have for management and customer service representatives. This course helped me learn to properly communicate with my customers.
It was really good
helpful
The textbook for the course was not available in electronic format which is inappropriate given that this is a subscription based service. Waiting for the text to come in the mail cost me a week of time which might have added another payment had I not been determined. The power point lectures had good content, but were annoying because the audio did not match the slides. Since you can not read content and listen different content at the same time I had to wait for the audio to stop in order to read the slides. Eventually I just started turning the audio off. The test questions were poorly designed. First, they were all what I would consider to be "trick" questions, in which they were written as confusingly as possible. It seemed as though the designer of this test was looking for ways to fail students instead of testing them on subject matter. I also found 7 questions on the midterm, 5 of which were wrong and 2 that were highly argumentative having multiple correct answers due to the designers penchant for "trick" questions. I had to spend another 2 housr writing down the right answers along with the page number of the text and had to dispute the grade. Information given in the powerpoint lectures and practice tests was not the information students were tested on in the graded exams. Graded exams did not give the correct answers with page references as the practice exams did and you cannot go back into the graded exam after it is taken to see the questions again after exiting. I had to print out the entire test in order to check and have a record of the answers. Since I passed the final I did not print the test and check the answers but if I did, I bet I would find several mistakes in that test as well.
easy to understand lessons
Everything was clear and easy to understand.
I appreciate the amount of information that was presented and the focus on attitudinal affects. The introductory topics of business writing were certainly well covered. I learned quite a lot of important concepts. That, ultimately, is the significant issue.
The major writing assignments were appropriate and fair, as was the grading. The grader's comments weren't pointed directly to my errors, and (s)he didn't give suggestions for changing - simply stated the nature of the error.
I did not like the written assignments so much, but I understood their purpose.
easy to understand lessons
Everything was clear and easy to understand.
I enjoyed the homework practice tests because they helped me understand the material better.
I enjoyed the self-pace concept. It made it easy to work around work and drill. I liked that the online instructions were easy and had examples to work through the problems. I liked the option of the SMARTHINKING. I didn't use it because I wasn't struggling with the class material, but I liked that it was available.
I appreciate the amount of information that was presented and the focus on attitudinal affects. The introductory topics of business writing were certainly well covered. I learned quite a lot of important concepts. That, ultimately, is the significant issue.
The major writing assignments were appropriate and fair, as was the grading. The grader's comments weren't pointed directly to my errors, and (s)he didn't give suggestions for changing - simply stated the nature of the error.
I did not like the written assignments so much, but I understood their purpose.
I liked everything.
I liked everything. It was very easy to understand what was expected and the concepts were presented well. I learned a lot and can't wait to transfer my course.
I enjoyed the homework practice tests because they helped me understand the material better.
I liked short quizzes for each topic because it helped refresh my memory.
I enjoyed the self-pace concept. It made it easy to work around work and drill. I liked that the online instructions were easy and had examples to work through the problems. I liked the option of the SMARTHINKING. I didn't use it because I wasn't struggling with the class material, but I liked that it was available.
I liked that it was online and at my own pace.
I liked that it was self paced
I liked that it was self-paced. I have a crazy schedule and needed the flexibility of pacing myself. Also, the writing assignments were something that could be used in the real business world not just another essay.
I liked the ability to complete the course online and at my own pace.
I am working full time. Therefore, I needed the flexibility and mobility while working through this course.
I liked the accessibility of material.
I liked the assignments and how you can take them over and over again for review is very helpful.
I liked the comfort of doing the exams whenever I wanted.
I liked the composition feedback.
I liked everything.
I liked everything. It was very easy to understand what was expected and the concepts were presented well. I learned a lot and can't wait to transfer my course.
I liked the flow and the assignments, the online flow was good and the assignments let you be creative
I liked the graded assignments. I liked the instructor commenting on my writing and grammar skills. The instructor's comments left on my written paper helped me become a better writer and communicator.
I liked the homework quizzes. That helped me to prepare for the actual graded exam. Thanks!
I liked the instant feedback from Joe.
I liked the lesson presentations because they were an easy way to absorb the information.
I liked the lessons on report writing. I know they will contribute to my future work.
I liked the narrative lesson presentations
I liked short quizzes for each topic because it helped refresh my memory.
I liked the relevant information
I liked the speed of it.
I liked the variety of topics.
I liked that it was online and at my own pace.
I liked that it was self paced
I think that the grading time for written assignments is a little lacking in timelyness. Waiting over a week for 3 papers is way too long.
I thoroughly enjoyed the written assignments and the usage of Smart Thinking. The tutors provided feedback that enhanced my assignments and to receive the grade that I was hoping to accomplish!!!!!
I liked that it was self-paced. I have a crazy schedule and needed the flexibility of pacing myself. Also, the writing assignments were something that could be used in the real business world not just another essay.
OMG. I just finished and passed this course.. YEAH ME :). At first I figured that I did not the book for this course because it was something that I used everyday in the federal government. I was seriously wrong. This course totally knocked me off my square and was challenging. After I bombed out on the first couple tests thinking that I would do better on the next I had a serious talk with myself and I broke down and ordered the book. I should've listened to the guy on degreeinfo.com when he stated that you definately need the book. Any how I purchased the ebook online and read that puppy straight through as I did with all of my other courses at straighterline. I feel so free and feel like I accomplished something great and I put in so many hard hours and had to cut off my husband and children for like a week. Nonetheless it is done and I feel like I can do anything now. Thank You :)
I liked the ability to complete the course online and at my own pace.
I am working full time. Therefore, I needed the flexibility and mobility while working through this course.
I liked the accessibility of material.
I liked the assignments and how you can take them over and over again for review is very helpful.
I liked the comfort of doing the exams whenever I wanted.
I liked the composition feedback.
I liked the flow and the assignments, the online flow was good and the assignments let you be creative
I liked the graded assignments. I liked the instructor commenting on my writing and grammar skills. The instructor's comments left on my written paper helped me become a better writer and communicator.
I liked the homework quizzes. That helped me to prepare for the actual graded exam. Thanks!
I liked the instant feedback from Joe.
I liked the lesson presentations because they were an easy way to absorb the information.
I liked the lessons on report writing. I know they will contribute to my future work.
I liked the narrative lesson presentations
I liked the relevant information
I liked the speed of it.
I liked the variety of topics.
I think that the grading time for written assignments is a little lacking in timelyness. Waiting over a week for 3 papers is way too long.
I thoroughly enjoyed the written assignments and the usage of Smart Thinking. The tutors provided feedback that enhanced my assignments and to receive the grade that I was hoping to accomplish!!!!!
OMG. I just finished and passed this course.. YEAH ME :). At first I figured that I did not the book for this course because it was something that I used everyday in the federal government. I was seriously wrong. This course totally knocked me off my square and was challenging. After I bombed out on the first couple tests thinking that I would do better on the next I had a serious talk with myself and I broke down and ordered the book. I should've listened to the guy on degreeinfo.com when he stated that you definately need the book. Any how I purchased the ebook online and read that puppy straight through as I did with all of my other courses at straighterline. I feel so free and feel like I accomplished something great and I put in so many hard hours and had to cut off my husband and children for like a week. Nonetheless it is done and I feel like I can do anything now. Thank You :)