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Syllabus for NUR-614-OL

GRADUATE ELECTIVE: Professional Writing: From the Idea to the Publication

Description | Topics | Objectives | Materials | Structure | Assessment | Grading | Strategies

Course Description

This course is designed to help the participant become an effective (and published) writer in his/her professional field.  It will hone the writer’s skills in two areas: 1) developing the writing skills that will allow one to be published in professional and lay journals, magazines, and newspapers, and 2) refining the writing required in one’s workplace. In this course, one learns how to develop a theme that will interest a readership and a publisher.  Focus is on effective writing techniques and learning the ropes of getting published from submittal of a work to its acceptance.


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Course Topics

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Course Objectives

After completing this course, will be able to: 


  1. interpret the key elements in the process of writing professional communication;   
  2. evaluate professional writing for evidence of form, content, applicability, and appropriateness;
  3. apply author guidelines to construct an article for publication; and
  4. identify legal issues facing publishers and authors today. 

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Course Materials

You will need the following materials to do the work of the course. The required textbook is available from the College's textbook supplier, MBS Direct.


Required Textbook

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological    Association, (6th ed.). Washington DC: Author.


*If your profession uses an alternate to the APA, you  may substitute it for the above.

Schwegler, R. A.  (2010). Patterns of Exposition (19th ed.). Boston: Longman/Pearson.
Note: When reviewing the styles in the Schwegler book, notice that the strength of this book is the many examples that follow the explanatory content.  Please take advantage of the examples given for your learning.
Sorenson, S.  (2010). Webster’s New World Student Writing Handbook (5th ed.).  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing.

Strunk, Elements of Style

Recommended Textbooks

Hahn, P. R.  (2005). The Only Writing Book You’ll Ever Need.  Avon, MA: Adams Media.

Rosenwasser, D.; & Stephen, J. (2009). Writing Analytically (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomas Wadsworth.

Truss, L. (2003) Eats, Shoots & Leaves. New York, NY: Gotham Books.  

Course Structure

Professional Writing (NUR-614) is a three-credit online course, consisting of six modules. Each module includes an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and assignments. The assignments within each module include:

  • discussions of module topics by the entire class (DFs);
  • discussions of writing assignment topics (GDFs),including the critique of those writings by the student's classmates in small groups; and
  • wherever appropriate, the submission of each student's writing for grading, generally after revision based on the critiques.

The written assignments are divided into two types. Four of the assignments (1, 3,4 & 6) are all aimed at developing a publishable article by the end of the course. Each of the first three of these will receive feedback in the Writing Workshop from classmates and then from the mentor as a graded assignment. Assignments 2 and 5, although related and subject to the same peer feedback process in the Writer’s Workshop, are reasonably “stand-alone.”

To facilitate the critiquing of writing samples and the discussion of related topics, there are group discussion forums (GDFs) designated as "Writer's Workshops." In smaller classes all students may be assigned to one Writer's Workshop. In larger classes the students will be assigned in smaller groups to separate Writer's Workshops (A, B or C).

The format of the Writer’s Workshop is for students to post a written document in the GDF and then to receive critiques on the posted document. The written document posted in the GDF will be turned in as a graded, written assignment, after it has been revised once the peer critiques have been posted.

 
Module titles are listed below.


  • Module 1: Common Professional Writing Styles
    Course objectives covered in this module include CO

  • Module 2: Professional Writing Formats
    Course objectives covered in this module include
  • Module 3: Before You Write
    Course objectives covered in this module include
  • Module 4: Writing the Article
    Course objectives covered in this module include
  • Module 5: The Submittal Process
    Course objectives covered in this module include
  • Module 6: Professional Communication
    Course objectives covered in this module include

Assessment Methods

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take a proctored midterm examination, and complete a final project. See below for more details.

Consult the course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete five  written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course's modules. 


  1. The first written assignment, WA #1, is a paper titled Topic Development. It is worth 5% of your grade.
  2. The second written assignment, WA #2, is a paper titled Professional Writing Document. It is worth 10% of your grade.
  3. The third written assignment, WA #3, is a paper titled Article Outline. It is worth 8% of your grade.
  4. The fourth written assignment, WA #4, is a paper titled Article Draft. It is worth 10% of your grade.
  5. The fifth written assignment, WA #5, is a paper titled Query Letter. It is worth 10% of your grade.
  6. The six written assignment, WA #6, is a paper titled The Article. It is worth 20% of your grade.

Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website are the written assignment rubrics used to aid in the grading of each written assignment.


Go to the Submit Assignments area of the course Web site to submit all written assignments.


For additional help regarding preparing and submitting assignments, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information section of the course Web site.



Online Discussion Forums 

You are required to participate in eleven graded discussion forums. Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. There is also an ungraded but required introduction forum in module 1 and an ungraded but required reflection forum in week 12. 


Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the online discussion forum rubric used to aid in the grading of all online discussion assignments.


For posting guidelines, discussion posting requirements particular to the nursing courses, and additional help, please see the Online Student Handbook and the Nursing Student Handbook located within the General Information section of the course Web site. 



Online Group Discussion Forums 

You are required to participate in five graded group discussion forums (GDFs), and an optional group forum in module 6.  These GDFs are referred to as Writer's Workshops throughout the course. They are conducted in small groups (A, B, C). You will be assigned to one of the Writer's Workshops by the course mentor.


Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the online discussion forum rubric used to aid in the grading of all online discussion assignments.


For posting guidelines, discussion posting requirements particular to the nursing courses, and additional help, please see the Online Student Handbook and the Nursing Student Handbook located within the General Information section of the course Web site.  



Grading and Evaluation

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:


Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

 
  • Online discussions (11) - 30 %
  • Student Critiques - 12%
  • WA #1 - Topic Development -5%
  • WA #2 - Professional Writing Document -10%   
  • WA #3 - Article Outline - 8%
  • WA #4 - Article Draft - 10%
  • WA #5 - Query Letter - 5% 
  • WA #6 - The Article - 20%

All assignments will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:


A = 93–100
A– = 90–92
B+ = 88–89
B = 83–87
B– = 80–82
C+ = 78–79
C = 73–77
C– = 70–72
D = 60–69
F = Below 60

Students enrolled in the MSN degree program must earn a grade of C (73) or better in the nursing courses for the credit to be accepted toward the degree. Students enrolled in the Nurse Educator Certificate program must earn a grade of B (83) or better for the course to be applied to program requirements.

NOTE
 All website addresses (URLs) in this course were accurate and reflected the stated content at the onset of the course. However URLs change and great resources may disappear. If you encounter a problem accessing a web site, post a message in the HELP discussion area of this course.

LATENESS POLICY
Written assignments will be submitted on the date due unless prior arrangements are made with the mentor and a new due date is established. If a student submits a late assignment without having made other arrangements with the mentor, one point per day will be deducted. Discussion board assignments must be completed in the allotted time frame or points for those will be forfeited.

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Strategies for Success

First Steps to Success


To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:





Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the course Calendar. The calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.



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