Describes a sales letter lecture and writing assignment in which students write sales letters on real products of personal interest using product information from "Consumer Reports" magazine. (SR)

Outlines an assignment for teaching job search skills, including writing a cover letter, resume, and interview follow-up letter. Proposes that the instructor act as interviewer, video tape each interview, and analyze each student's performance. (JAD)

Describes a class activity to help students gain insights into the collaborative process and to launch them into a collaborative report. (SR)

Describes 3 assignments for introductory-level business writing students (who have already learned the fundamentals of document design) that present design challenges in a sales letter, a resume, and a memo report and instructions, to be introduced in class over a period of 8 to 10 weeks. (SR)

Examines the types of documents written by 23 executives/managers in 2 different companies, finding that the most frequently written documents are memorandums and letters. Notes implications for business writing courses. Suggests that students be required to prepare a wide variety of documents in business writing courses. (SR)

Describes an assignment in which students write a business report on a company they would like to work for, thus providing motivation while they learn the technical aspects of writing a business report. (SR)

Discusses a unit on performance appraisals, including writing comments to support ratings, drawing conclusions concerning performance, and making recommendations to improve performance. Provides an assignment requiring students to complete an appraisal form. (SR)

Describes an exercise that teaches the reverse of promotion--demand reduction. Discusses persuasive strategies to reduce demand for a product. (SR)

Describes a one-class-period assignment that introduces students to the different professional journals in their major areas of study and in business communication. Notes that students learn how and where to find the journals and what they contain. (SR)

Describes what business plans are and how educators can use them in class for a team writing assignment. (RS)

Describes adding lessons on stress management to the business communications classroom. (RS)

Describes an assignment for a business communication course in which students give an oral presentation on some aspect of business manners and etiquette, thus increasing their awareness of the impact of social graces on communication in the business setting. (SR)

Describes an assignment in which students write a short memo report analyzing and comparing both what a company says in its annual report and what its balance sheet shows. Describes four simple mathematical formulas students can use to quickly diagnose a company's financial health. Appends a sample of the short report format. (RS)

Describes a project assignment for a business communication course that is the central organizing principle for the course and addresses researching, interviewing, writing and reporting topics, and the inevitable question of why this course is required. (SR)

Describes two assignments conducted during the first few days of class that introduces students to the concept of format, provides a writing sample from each student, and furthers the process of students getting to know each other and the teacher. (SR)