Inspired Professionalism in Written Business Communication

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title: Administrative Office Specialist

  Course Title: Administrative Office Specialist 1

  Course Number: 8306310

  Career Cluster: Business Management and Administration

  CIP Number: 0552040102

  Course Type: Career Preparatory

  CTE Standard(s) or Benchmark(s):

  • CTE-BUS.912.8306310.3.7 - Discuss the need to use professional demeanor in business communications.
  • CTE-AATC.912.8207310.4.1 - Select and use word processing software and accompanying features to create and enhance various written business communications (e.g., memos, reports, block business letters).

  ELA Benchmarks:

  • ELA.10.C.3.1 | Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “Inspired Professionalism in Written Business Communication.” See CPALMS resource ID# 215251.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students will apply effective communication skills by creating professional written business communication. They will also develop a concrete definition of “professional demeanor” and be able to apply it in a real-world workplace scenario. These skills are helpful within professional settings but can also be applied to a school setting and everyday life regardless of career choice.

• Learning Objectives

  
  
  • Use word processing software effectively.
  • Define “professional demeanor” regarding written business communication.
  • Use grade-level appropriate writing conventions to create an example of professional business communication.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with:

  • Using word processing software.
  • Basic knowledge of professional business communication.
  • Appropriate business terminology for the industry.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • What does an appropriately formatted business document look like?
  • How does “professional demeanor” create a positive impression on the recipient of a well-crafted business document?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. Begin the lesson by introducing the guiding questions in a collaborative whole group setting. Allow students to share their thoughts and further elaborate on responses so that students understand what constitutes proper formatting in a business document as well as “professional demeanor."
  2. Provide students with the case study, “Inspired Professionalism
     in Written Business Communication,” (see CPALMS resource ID# 215251). Allow students time to individually read the case study, annotating pertinent information.
  3. Discuss the case study with students. Ask students to identify what skills the characters in the case study appear to be missing, and how the teacher can plan for facilitating development of these skills.
  4. Explain to students that they will be creating an example of professional communication in the form of an office memo for a physician’s office. Provide students with the Professional Business Communication handout (see attachments). Allow students time to complete the 1st column individually before assigning groups.
  5. Put students in groups of 2 -3. As a group, have students complete the 2nd column of the handout that defines a set of rules for creating business documents, recognizes support within the software program, and establishes a list of supporting vocabulary for office memo assignment. Groups should come to a concensus based on their initial ideas.
     • When groups finish, they can share their finalized format with the whole class. Students can compare their ideas of professional business communication formatting requirements.
  6. Have students use available word processing software to create an office memo for a physician’s office, complete with an office letterhead, logo, address, heading, date, and signature line.
     • Students can work individually or in their groups to complete this.
     • Remind students to check their memos for spelling, grammar, and punctuation, using grade-level appropriate expectations. Students are encouraged to use the word processing software to help them edit and revise their memos.
  7. To close the lesson, have students answer the follow questions either as an exit ticket or through discussion.
     • How will your created formatting resource help you to continually create professional written business communication?
     • How can you apply “professional demeanor” to other forms of business communication?

• Teacher Notes

  
  

  Pacing Suggetions:

  • This lesson can be divided across two class periods as needed.

• Optional

  
  

  Assessment Ideas:

  • The memos created by students can be turned in digitally to be assessed for proper business communication, grammar, and punctuation.