Twenty-First Century Writing Skills for the CTE Classroom Dr. Christal C. Pritchett & Geana W. Mitchell AACTE Summer Conference – July 19, 2007 Dr. Christal C. Pritchett & Geana W. Mitchell AACTE Summer Conference – July 19, 2007

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR IN NEW EMPLOYEES? 1. Communication skills 2. Honesty and integrity 3. Teamwork 4. Motivation and initiative 5. A strong work ethic 1. Communication skills 2. Honesty and integrity 3. Teamwork 4. Motivation and initiative 5. A strong work ethic

INDIVIDUALS WITH SOFT SKILLS Communicate effectively Work with others Take initiative Act professionally Communicate effectively Work with others Take initiative Act professionally

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS Communication skills always rank in the top five Students lack the ability to communicate Mastery is important Communication skills always rank in the top five Students lack the ability to communicate Mastery is important

THE PROBLEM Many high school and college graduates are simply not prepared to communicate in writing upon entering the business world.

WRITING SKILLS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A CAREER Percent of Companies that: A. Consider writing when hiring B. Incorporate writing responsibilities into jobs C. Assess writing skills during hiring D. Produce written reports E. Require training for writing deficiencies Percent of Companies that: A. Consider writing when hiring B. Incorporate writing responsibilities into jobs C. Assess writing skills during hiring D. Produce written reports E. Require training for writing deficiencies

THE GOAL To express ideas correctly To express them well To express them in a way that makes sense To express ideas correctly To express them well To express them in a way that makes sense

PLANNING THE MESSAGE Step #1 Determine the Purpose and the Channel Step #2 Envision the Audience Step #3 Adapt the Message to the Audience Step #4 Organize the Message Step #5 Prepare the First Draft Step #6 Revise and Proofread for Accuracy Step #1 Determine the Purpose and the Channel Step #2 Envision the Audience Step #3 Adapt the Message to the Audience Step #4 Organize the Message Step #5 Prepare the First Draft Step #6 Revise and Proofread for Accuracy

Stage one – Prewriting Stage two – Drafting Stage three – Revising Stage four – Editing Stage five – Presenting Stage one – Prewriting Stage two – Drafting Stage three – Revising Stage four – Editing Stage five – Presenting THE WRITING PROCESS

WRITING PROJECTS Many writing projects can be easily integrated across the curriculum!!! Examples: Introduction Project Entrepreneurship Project Web Page/Term Paper Project Project Evaluation (Rubrics) Many writing projects can be easily integrated across the curriculum!!! Examples: Introduction Project Entrepreneurship Project Web Page/Term Paper Project Project Evaluation (Rubrics)

CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. Christal C. Pritchett Assistant Professor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Mrs. Geana W. Mitchell Instructor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Dr. Christal C. Pritchett Assistant Professor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Mrs. Geana W. Mitchell Instructor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256)

REFERENCES Employers value communication and interpersonal abilities. (2004, January). Keying In, 14(3), 1-6. Glenn, J.L. (2005, February). Language in business. Business Education Forum, 59(3), Lehman, C., & DuFrene, D. (2008). Business communication (15th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: South- Western/Thompson Learning. Quibble, Z.K. (2004, Fall). Error identification, labeling, and correction in written business communication. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, XLVI(3), Employers value communication and interpersonal abilities. (2004, January). Keying In, 14(3), 1-6. Glenn, J.L. (2005, February). Language in business. Business Education Forum, 59(3), Lehman, C., & DuFrene, D. (2008). Business communication (15th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: South- Western/Thompson Learning. Quibble, Z.K. (2004, Fall). Error identification, labeling, and correction in written business communication. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, XLVI(3),

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