Day 1: Introductions

Objectives for today's class:
Students will be able to
     a. get to know  each other.
     b. get acquainted with general information about the class.
     c. set up a Dropbox account.
     d. know about and execute and effective handshake.

A.  Please, carefully read the handout provided.  You are encouraged to ask questions about the information presented when in doubt.

B. Let's set up a Dropbox account.
All assignments for this class will be uploaded to Dropbox, a very useful website created for the purpose of storing information. You need to create an account and open a folder for this class:
     1.  Go to Dropbox and watch the introductory video.  Do not download Dropbox to the computer you are using now.  If you wish to download the program do it to your personal computer.
     2.  Check your email inbox. You will find an invitation from me to open an account in Dropbox. Accept the invitation.
     3.   Open an account following the steps provided.
     4.   Make a new folder. Title it:     ESL505_your name
     5.   In this new folder, open a new sub-folder and title it:  Diagnostic Test
     6.   Share your ESL505 folder with me. This is my Yahoo address: marciamilla@yahoo.com

* I suggest you download this program to your personal computer. Dropbox is a very useful resource to save documents, pictures, materials, etc.

C.  Let's review what you know about introductions and handshakes.
1. In groups of three, please talk about how you introduce yourself to others and how you introduce a person to others:
*  Do you introduce yourself or wait until someone else can do it for you?
*  What information you give in this introduction?
* Do you shake hands, nod you head, kiss on the cheek, just smile?
           What about shaking hands,
                              - do women and men shake hands when they meet? Who offers his/hand first?
                              - what is your style when shaking hands?
* What do you do when you introduce a person to others?
    Do you introduce the woman to the man, the man to the woman, the older person to the younger person?

 D. Here are some resources that will familiarize you with handshakes.  Watch the videos about handshaking and think about your handshaking style.

1. The Perfect Handshake

2. Ten types of BAD handshakes


3  Discuss the videos with your classmate. Do you agree? disagree? What is your style when shaking hands.

4.  Introduce yourself to your peers around you. Shake hands.

5.  Activity:  "The Ambassador Line"

E. Introduction to business writing.
1. Open the following paragraph. It is part of a memo from the manager of operations to his vice president.

Paragraph


2. Open a Google Doc. Paste the paragraph here. Circle any words or phrases that do not sound “business-like.”



Whether in business school or in the business world, what you write—how you present yourself with written words—determines your degree of success.

Your professors need a demonstration of your knowledge and understanding, colleagues need to have confidence in you, your boss needs to trust you, and your business associates need to see you as willing, capable and ready to engage in mutually beneficial activities. You can build such a positive image for yourself with your writing.

 Academic writing and business writing overlap and this course will help you understand American business culture and improve your writing.
 handout

3. Now, let's go back to our paragraph in E 1-2:
 Discuss the paragraph with your partner and list the problems with each sentence (number them 1-3). Try to explain why certain words and phrases are not “business-like.” Use the 7 Cs and the vocabulary associated with characteristics of good business writing to describe the problems.

4. Finally, if you have time, revise the paragraph. Then share your Google document with the other members of your group. Compare your paragraphs. How did they do?

paragraph revised

What might be included in a memo to the company detailing the incident? The answer should be none of it. If you were sending a notice to your employees after an incident like this, it would probably only be a reminder of the sexual harassment policies and procedures of the company. Detailing the incident would be a violation of privacy to the individuals involved and would only foster gossip.

PPP on writing effectively

Homework:  If you haven't done so, take a look at our class website and familiarize yourself with its contents.