Evening & Weekend MBA Program
Evening & Weekend MBA Program Writing Requirement
Countless studies have shown, and top executives agree, that effective writing is crucial to success in business. (It is also crucial to your academic success at Haas.) Whether your career goals are in investment, marketing, finance, or the non-profit sector, your persuasiveness, conciseness, clarity, and fluency as a writer will play an important role in determining your success. The Evening & Weekend MBA program has a writing requirement that you must pass to graduate from the program. During your first year, you will submit two individually written documents for me to review and comment on. Both papers must submitted by May 16, 2008.
Document Options
The parameters are very flexible. You may pick any two of the following options:
- A paper written for your Marketing, Business and Public Policy, or Ethics class.
- A paper developed out of an argument for your Speech class.
- A paper written for any other MBA-level course at Haas that has both a persuasive element and is primarily prose.
- A professional business document that you have individually prepared in your current work setting. This document must contain a persuasive element (an analysis or description will not suffice).
NOTE: The following documents are NOT acceptable submissions:
- Group-written documents
- Executive summaries
- Papers written more than three years ago
- MBA application essays
- Papers primarily in bullet points or outline form
- Previously published papers
Submission Process and Format Requirements
I will review documents 3- 5 pages in length. If you have questions about structure, format (see below), or whether a particular document fits the parameters of the assignment, please contact me before you submit it.
You may submit your papers electronically or in hard copy.
For electronic submissions
FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS
Assessment Criteria and Process
I will assess your paper on the overall quality of the writing. I will look at your persuasiveness, large and small organization, clarity, and conciseness. I will consider paragraph structure, sentence structure, word use, grammar, and spelling. While you may turn in papers written for an academic course, you may consider revising them from a business writing perspective before you submit them to me.
After review of each paper, I will return it to you. Your paper will be clearly marked PASS or CONSULT. If your first paper is marked PASS, you may submit your second paper for review. If your paper is marked CONSULT, please contact me to set up an appointment. We’ll review your paper together and I’ll assign you a due date for your revision. Some students may need additional help with their writing skills. For these students, I’ll provide tutorial assistance.
After you have “passed” both papers, I will notify the EWMBA Program office that you have completed the Writing Requirement.
Electronic submissions: I will mail your paper with my comments directly to you
Hardy copy submissions: I will return your paper to your mailbox in the MBA lounge (Monday/Tuesday cohorts) or to the EWMBA office (Saturday cohorts) with comments and/or suggestions for improvement.
Submission Deadline
I accept submissions until your final deadline of May 16, 2008. I strongly encourage you to submit your first paper as soon as possible so you can begin the rigorous process of meeting this requirement.
Office Hours and Contact Information
Writing Consultant: Ericka Lutz
Office Hours: Weeknights and Saturday BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
E-mail: lutz@haas.berkeley.edu
Office: F449
Phone: (510) 643-8005
I am available for consultations about all of your writing concerns. Please contact me via email to schedule an appointment.
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