BA 461 

Writing Assignments

A note on writing for business

Part of your business education is developing skill in writing. Memos, letters, reports, and business plans require solid written communication skills. The assignments in this class are designed to allow you to sharpen your skills.

It is important to be clear, concise, and succinct in business communication and that is what I expect in this class. Content is important as opposed to sheer volume. If you master a writing style that is economical in the use of words and easy to read, while making your point, you will have an advantage over those who don’t. Seize this opportunity to develop your skill at writing for business. It will improve your grade and advance your career.

If you want some coaching on your writing I recommend the Reading/Writing Center

For all papers assigned in this class the following rules apply:

  1. All written assignments must be completed on a word processor or typewriter.
  2. Margins must be 1" on the top, bottom, and both sides.
  3. All characters must be 12pt, the typeface is up to you
  4. All assignments must be double-spaced.
  5. Do not use binders. Staple the papers in the top left corner please.

 

Writing Style

1. Organization

I expect your papers to flow logically and smoothly. Rambling discourse distracts from your point and consumes space that can be better used to make your point. If I cannot find your point, due to poor organization or poor presentation style, it will result in your losing credit for making the point regardless of if you think you made it. Organizing your paper to address each specific point I want you to make is critical to your success in writing for me.

2. Depth

I am interested in the paper demonstrating your intelligence, ability to use (as opposed to memorize) class concepts, evidence that you really considered the assignment and how to use it to improve yourself, and evidence that you are learning something from this experience. I expect you to use the terminology we are learning in the class appropriately. However, simply using a bunch of negotiation 'buzzwords' without having anything else to say will not help your grade. The key to an "A" is not following a formula or going through the motions, it is demonstrating that you are "getting it" and applying what you learn.

3. Follow Instructions

If you do not follow my instructions you will do no better than a C in this class. Answer each part of each assignment and keep to the point.

4. The Reader

You are writing to demonstrate your mastery of the material for me. Please consider what I know already and what I don’t know. Also consider what it is that I want you to demonstrate. If you do these things it will help you decide what to include and what to leave out of the papers. For instance, I do not need a re-cap of the exercise or the readings so please do not use your papers to review the facts of the exercise or summarize the information in the readings. Use the information in the readings and exercises to support your position and opinion. The reflection papers will go to your negotiation partners and myself. Think about information they would find useful as well.

5. A Caution

If you do not read and understand the above you may be surprised at the grade you earn. If you read and understand the assignment you are ready to start writing. You have not finished a paper until you have met the requirements on this checklist. Some words of advice.... Read these instructions before you begin each assignment, make an outline of the paper first and be sure it is logical and complete, and check your finished paper to make sure that you have followed the instructions completely.

Writing Assignments:

First Impressions Paper: (10 points)

Write a paper that describes and analyzes your negotiating style as it now exists. I am interested in what your approach to negotiation was before being influenced by this class. Your paper shall contain the following information.  I suggest that you format your paper in such a way that you answer each question in order and that you use at least one paragraph to answer each question completely and thoroughly.  Do not fall into the trap of using one word answers to my questions.  For example, when you identify your greatest weakness do not just say "fear".  If fear is indeed your greatest weakness, tell me why and give an example to illustrate your point.  Give this paper some thought and take time to do it well.  It is your benchmark that you can use to gauge your progress over the semester.  You will see your actual progress only if you know where you started from.  Also, this paper will be necessary reference for you when completing the final paper of the semester, so do a good job on it and save it when I return it to you after it is graded.  Please answer the following questions:

  1. What comes to mind when you think of negotiating? Identify at least three ideas that are your first thoughts regarding negotiating.
  2. What does a good negotiator do in your opinion?
  3. What does a poor negotiator do in your opinion?
  4. What is your approach to negotiating? Describe what you typically think and do when you are faced with a conflict that can be resolved by negotiation.
  5. In your own words, critique your approach to negotiating. Identify what you do well and what you do poorly. State what you think is your greatest strength and greatest weakness.

This paper must be no less than two pages and no more than four in length.  See the syllabus for the due date.

Reflection Papers: (Two papers, 10 points each)

On these reflection papers I want you to explicitly answer every question.  Organize your paper into three sections, one dealing with each question specifically.  Break out the question in parts and answer each part of the question.  For example, question one asks about four specific parts of your approach.  These must be specifically identified and discussed.  What were you thinking when you set your goal etc?  Specifically, how did it help or hurt you and why?  If something worked as you wanted it to say so and give a concrete example to illustrate your point.  If something didn't work, say what it was and why it didn't work illustrating your point with an example form the negotiation.  I am interested in the negotiating behaviors you are practicing on your part and what you observe the other person(s) doing in response and vice versa.  Please avoid descriptions that consist of a blow by blow description of each offer and counter-offer.  They waste space and do not make a positive contribution to your paper.  

Being able to debrief a negotiation is a critical skill that will largely determine whether you continue to develop skill as a negotiator after you leave the class.  These writing exercises are intended to help you develop your debriefing skills so that your negotiation education will be a continuing process that will continue long after the class is over.  Answer the questions below completely and thoroughly in no more than 3 to 4 pages.

 

  1. What was your approach (goal or target, limit, strategies, BATNA, etc.) to the negotiation? How did it help you and how did it hurt you?
  2. What do you think the other party’s approach to the negotiation was (goal or target, limit, strategies, BATNA, etc.) ? How did it help him/her and how did it hurt him/her? This should be constructive criticism of your partner’s negotiation behavior aimed at helping him/her improve.
  3. What did you learn from this exercise in particular? How can you apply it to negotiations in the future both in and out of class?

You must deliver two copies of the paper. One will go to me and the other to the party with whom you negotiated the exercise discussed in the paper.

Comprehensive Reflection Paper (20 points)

This paper is covering the whole course. You need to address the following issues:

  1. Characterize your approach to negotiating before taking the class. This should be a general description of your approach to negotiating. Do not merely repeat what you said in your first impressions paper. I want you to use your new understanding to more accurately describe and critique your initial approach.
  2. Characterize your impression of your negotiation approach at the end of the class. What has changed? What are the most important things you have learned about negotiations?
  3. What is currently your biggest weakness regarding negotiations? What active steps can you take to overcome it in the future?
  4. This paper is 20% of your grade. Keep this in mind as you compose it and be sure it is the quality required to meet your grade objective for the class.

This paper must be at least three pages and not more than five pages in length. See the syllabus for the due date.

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