Devry ENGL216 2021 March Discussions Latest (Full)

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 1 Discussion

Workplace Communication Experiences

Introduce yourself to your fellow classmates and instructor, focusing especially on your communication and workplace experiences. In your initial post, tell us about some of the most common types of workplace communication you use, as well as any communication challenges you may have faced. If you don't have any workplace experiences to share, tell us about your career goals and the importance of effective communication in achieving those goals. In your follow-up posts, reply to at least two of your fellow students and build upon their ideas with substantial and constructive feedback.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 2 Discussion

Cultural Dimensions

In Chapter 4, Global Communications and Diversity, Peter Cardon identifies eight cultural dimensions.

Individualism and Collectivism

Egalitarianism and Hierarchy

Performance Orientation

Future Orientation

Assertiveness

Humane Orientation

Uncertainty Avoidance

Gender Egalitarianism

In the chapter, nations from around the world are assigned scores and rankings based on each of these dimensions. For your initial post, discuss the scores and rankings of a country other than the United States on at least two of the cultural dimensions. Which rankings were close to what you had expected, and which ones were surprises? Do you feel that these rankings on cultural dimensions provide useful information, or do they perpetuate cultural stereotypes? 

In your follow-up posts, reply to at least two of your fellow students and build upon their ideas with substantial and constructive feedback.

 

 

 

 

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 3 Discussion

Email Etiquette

In Chapter 7, Peter Cardon discusses the shortcomings of many workplace email messages.

Using email for the wrong reasons, such as when a phone call or face-to-face meeting is more appropriate

Composing difficult to read, long, confusing messages

Leaving off the subject line or using a vague subject line

Leaving off the signature or signature block

Leaving off greetings

Failing to provide a clear request with a timeline for completion

Failing to send the message to everyone who needs to receive it

Sending it to people who should not have received it

Using an informal, unprofessional style

In your initial post, discuss a time when you received a poorly written workplace email message (without naming names, of course). What were the main problems with the message? How could the message have been improved?

In your follow-up posts, reply to at least two of your fellow students and build upon their ideas with substantial and constructive feedback.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 4 Discussion

Methods of Influence

In Chapter 10, Persuasive Messages, Peter Cardon summarizes the six main types of influence, as defined by Robert Cialdini, the world-renowned marketing psychologist.

Reciprocation: Returning favors

Consistency: Staying true to commitments

Social proof: Popularity (everybody's doing it)

Liking: Liking or admiring the person

Authority: Recognized expert or celebrity

Scarcity: Limited amount, deadline

First, complete the assigned reading to familiarize yourself further with these six types of influences. Next, think of a time when you were able to persuade someone to do something for you or someone persuaded you to do something for them. How did it work? Which of the six types of influences was most effective in that instance?

Finally, in your follow-up posts, provide helpful feedback to at least two of your fellow classmates in well-developed and thoughtful prose.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 5 Discussion

Annotated Bibliography Practice

For this week's homework assignment, you will be creating an annotated bibliography for your formal report or proposal. See the assignment description for all of the details and a sample annotation. In this week's discussion, you'll share one annotation using the sample provided in the assignment description as a model. This will be your initial post.

In your follow-up posts, provide helpful, detailed feedback to at least two of your fellow students.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 6 Discussion

Social Media for Career Success

Chapter 8, Social Media for Business, shows the many ways that businesses can make use of social media platforms to engage their customers. Similarly, individuals can also use social media to create a personal brand. In this discussion, we will focus primarily on ways we as individuals can make effective use of social media to enhance our careers.

In your initial post, share some ways you use social media to enhance your career. For example, do you have a LinkedIn account? If so, tell us more about how you maintain and develop it. Similarly, tell us about some of the other social media you use and how you make sure that your online reputation is professional, authentic, and credible.

In your follow-up posts, provide helpful feedback and advice to at least two of your fellow students.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 7 Discussion

Presentation Rough Draft Peer Review

Next week, your presentations based on your formal report or proposal are due. For this week's discussion, please share your first three to four slides. It is ok if they are rough, and you do not need to include audio at this point. The goal of this discussion is simply to share your work in progress, receive feedback, and to learn from one another.

Tips

Make your slides visually appealing.

Minimize text—assume your audience will also have your written report or proposal.

Make sure that all charts, graphs, and tables used are legible and accurate.

Give credit for information derived from research.

In your follow-up posts, provide helpful, detailed, and constructive feedback to two of your fellow students. Search out students who have not received any responses first.

 

ENGL216 Technical Writing

Week 8 Discussion

Reflective Assessment

Throughout the session, you have worked collaboratively as well as individually. Reflecting on all you have learned from external sources, your text, course lessons, and your peers, identify areas where you achieved improvement as well as areas still needing improvement.