TechnicalWriting/TechnicalReportWriting
HS201
ClassDescription
Theintentofthisclassistoprepareyouforthetypeofprofessionalcommunicationyouarelikelytoengagein
during your first postuniversity jobs and beyond. This course focuses on technical communicationthe
presentationofspecializedinformationinanaccessiblewaytoavarietyofdifferentaudiences,butaudiences
who,nodoubt,willexpectclarity,accuracy,andprofessionalismfromyou.Thiscourseis2credithours.
Thisclassstressesthekeyskillsthathighlightasuccessfulprofessionaltechnicalcommunicator.Specifically,
we will focus on the process of writing (including the planning, drafting, and revising stages) and look
carefullyattheworkthatgoesintothefinalpolishedproduct.Ascollaborationisoftenakeypartofthe
professional realm, youll spendmuchof the semester workingwith your classmates, whichwill include
participatinginbrainstormingsessions,providingconstructivecriticism,andpreparingforyourfinalprojects
together.
Inthisclass,studentscanexpectto:
analyzeavarietyofprofessionalrhetoricalsituationsandproduceappropriatetexts,adapting thetexttothe
knowledgebaseoftheaudience
producepersuasivetextsthatreflectthedegreeofavailableevidenceandtakeintoaccount counterarguments
understandandpracticetheskillsneededtoproducecompetent,professionalwriting,including planning,
drafting,revisingandediting
identifyandimplementappropriateresearchmethodsforeachwritingtask
practicetheethicaluseofsourcesandtheconventionsofcitationappropriateinyourfield
improve competence in Standard Written English (including grammar, sentence and paragraph structure,
coherence,anddocumentdesign)andusethisknowledgetorevisetexts
CourseMaterials
Textbook:
TechnicalCommunication(tenthed.),MikeMarkel.Bedford/St.Martins:2010.
ISBN9780312692162
OtherMaterials:
Anupdatedgrammar/styleguidebooktohelpyouidentifypropercitations,andtoassistwith yourgrammar,
diction,andsyntaxissues.
Asturdypocketfolderyoudontmindgivingup,thickenoughtosecurelyholdseveralpapers.
Thisfolderyoullgivemeatdesignatedpointsduringthesemester,withallprewritingassignments,outlines,
drafts,andgradedpapersinside.Ifyouwish,youmayretrievethefolderanditscontentsfrommeafterthe
semesterends.
PortfoliosandWrittenAssignments
Allassignmentscompletedoutsideclassmustbesubmittedtomeinhardcopy.Useappropriatefontsforall
text(wewilldiscussfontchoicesinclass).Allassignmentslongerthanapagewillbedoublespacedandmust
includeyournameandpagenumberswhereappropriate.Onepagedocuments,suchasmemos,letters,and
rsums,shouldbesinglespacedandshouldnotbenumbered.
YoullkeepallgradedassignmentsinonefolderthatIllcollectmultipletimesthroughoutthesemester
(identifiedonthesyllabus).Thisportfoliowillrepresentthecumulativeaspectofyoursemesterswork.
Assignmentsaredueatthebeginningofclass.Yournumericalgradeforanassignmentwillbereduced
by5percentforeachdayitislate.Thus,anassignmentdueonMondaythatissubmittedtomeonWednesday
willlose10percentagepointsrightoffthetop,andapaperdueWednesdaythatyousubmitthefollowing
Mondaywillbereducedby25points.
Homework
Beyondthegradedassignmentsthatarelistedindividuallyinthegradebreakdown,Iwillfrequentlyassign
homework, usually based on the readings. The purpose of the homework is to help you assess your
understandingofthecontent.Iwillcollecteighttotenhomeworkassignmentsduringthesemester,without
advancenotice.Thehomeworkwillnotbeonerousjustafewquestionstoensurethatyouvegraspedthe
basicideascoveredinthereadings.Ifyouvereallyreadtheassignedchapters,eachhomeworkassignment
willtakeyoujustafewminutes.Alwaysdoyourhomework,andalwaysbringitwithyoutoclass.Homework
mustbesubmittedatthestartofclass;itwillnotbeacceptedlate.
SemesterSchedule
Thefollowingrepresentsthepotentialsyllabusofclassactivitiesandreadingassignments.Itis subjectto
change based on the dynamics of this particular class, as well as the inevitable unplanned events and
opportunities;allamendmentswillbeannouncedinclassand/orcommunicatedelectronically.
Week1
IntroductiontoCourseandCoursePolicies
Week2
WhatIsTechnicalWriting?
Beforetonight,read:syllabus;Markelchapters1,2,3
Duetonight:aprintedcopyofyourcurrentrsum
JobApplicationMaterials
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapters14,15
Duetonight:JobDescription(2hardcopies)
Week3
WhoAreWeWritingFor?AudienceandPurpose
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapters4,5
WritingCollaboratively:ToolsandStrategies
Duetonight:RsumandCoverLetterDraft(electronicandhardcopies)
Week4
ResearchandOrganization;DesigningaSemesterLongProject
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter7
Duetonight:Assignment1,AudienceBasedRsumandCoverLetter
Definitions,Descriptions,andGraphics
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapters9,12
Week5
ProposalsandReports
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapters16,17
Duetonight:Threeideasforyourfinalproject
DocumentDesignandTextAids
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapters10,11
Duetonight:Assignment2A,AudienceandDefinition,Expert
Week6
TheArtofPersuasiveWriting
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter8
ProjectPlanning;VisualWriting
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter13
Duetonight:Assignment2B,AudienceandDefinition,NonExpert
Week7
ConductingPrimaryandSecondaryResearch
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter6
IndividualConferences
Week8
IndividualConferences
TheArtofOralPresentations
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter21
Week9
CollaborativeWorkshop
Duetonight:ProjectProposaldraft
RevisitingAudienceandPurpose
Duetonight:Assignment4,Survey/InterviewQuestions
Week10
InstructionsandManuals;UsabilityinInstructions
Beforetonight,read:Markelchapter20
Duetonight:Assignment3,ProjectProposal
Usability:InClassTesting
Duetonight:Assignment5,Instructions
Week11
Usability:InClassTesting,contd
Duetonight:PresentationMemo
CompleteTwoFormsofPrimaryResearchbytoday
Week12
IndividualConferences
IndividualConferences
Week13
ProjectPresentations
Duetonight:Presentationfile(bothhardcopyandelectronicversions)
ProjectPresentations
Week14
ProjectPresentations
PWPCourseEvaluations
Duetonight:EvaluationMemos(fromInstructionsassignment)
CollaborativeWorkshop
Duetonight:DraftofyourFinalProject
Week15
CollaborativeWorkonFinalProjectcontinues
LastClassMeeting
Duetonight:Assignment6,FinalProject
