Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

116

Date

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

English

Concentration

Composition Studies

Committee Chair

Joseph Jones

Committee Member

Susan Popham

Committee Member

Reginald Martin

Abstract

Since its inception, a major role of the American community college has been to prepare its students for success in the workplace. A critical workplace skill that has been overlooked is that of writing in the workplace. If the American community college is to prepare its students with all of the skills needed for workplace success, then it must restructure its writing programs to address workplace writing. This thesis begins with a historical overview of the community college to establish its role in preparing America's workforce.Workplace writing is then defined and is compared and contrasted with the academic writing that is typically taught in first and second semester composition courses.Workplace writing and academic writing are discussed within the local context of the Mid-South that includes community colleges in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.Interviews with local Mid-South employers and employees identify the specific writing skills required in local business and industry.Finally, a proposal is presented for restructuring community college writing programs to include workplace writing skills.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Share

COinS