Course Outline: Spring 2010

 Technical Writing:   Course Outline  Spring 2010

Course Requirements:  Three written assignments, one midterm take-home quiz.  Details and templates for each written assignment will be provided.  Assignment information/samples are provided on Blackboard.

•Assignment 1:  Letters (2), Resume, Memo, Short Report, Instruction/Directions Exercise

•Assignment 2:  Proposal

•Assignment 3:  Analytical Report   

•Quiz:  Take-home (Major purpose - to assure you understand Technical Writing concepts)

Grades and Standards:  Technical writing is workplace (real world) writing.  In the workplace, it is expected that your work will be of the highest quality.  For this class, students must work on their documents (no matter how long it takes) until they produce an “A” quality product.  Individual writing conferences will be held to review, accept, and assist with the production of an “A” document.  No other grade is acceptable.  If, for some reason, you think you need to withdraw from the class, please check with the instructor to work out options.  Students who do not complete the work will be assigned grades according to University policy.

Attendance:  It is expected that you should attend class unless you have a serious reason for not attending.  If you need to miss a class on your regular night, you can attend the other night that week, since the materials covered will be approximately the same.   Note:  In the event of inclement (really bad) weather that make the roads unsafe for traveling, check with the university for official information, or call the instructor after 4:00 p.m.  If class is to be cancelled because of weather/driving conditions, a message will be left on his phone; otherwise, class will be held as usual.

Papers (Documents)/Technology:  All documents are to be prepared using a computer (the way workplace writing is done in the “real world.”)  Technical writing is very different from regular “classroom” writing; documents are to use the formats discussed in class.  Sample papers are available on Blackboard and can be downloaded.  Very little paper will be distributed in class, since materials and information are available electronically on Blackboard.  Due dates will be in the calendar which follows.  "Due date" means the date you should be ready for a writing conference.

Documents will be reviewed on your laptop computer or flash drive; they are not to be printed.

Writing Conferences/Submitting Documents:  After the first few weeks, about half the class time will be devoted to individual writing conferences.  These will occur at the end of the class sessions for the first and middle parts of the class and will occupy the entire class period during the last two weeks of class.  The purposes of the individual writing conference are:

•       To review papers, make corrections, get suggestions if document is not yet highest quality

•       To accept papers for grades; immediately when document is of the highest quality

•       To discuss any other concerns or issues

Calendar/Scheduling:  The schedule on the back of this sheet is a guide.  Time will be spent as necessary to make sure that concepts are well understood.  The calendar can or may be changed if conditions require changes.

Calendar:

Spring Semester English 212, Sections 195, 193

Week	Tues Class Section	Thurs Class Section	Topic	Document Due
1	Jan. 11	Jan. 14	Introduction; Class Requirements; Schedule, etc.
2	Jan. 19	Jan. 21	Technical Communication Overview
3	Jan. 26	Jan. 28	Letters; Memos, Resumes; Short Reports
4	Feb. 2	Feb. 4	Letters; Memos, Resumes; Short Reports (continued)	Assignment 1: Application Letter; Resume; Thank You Letter
5	Feb. 9	Feb. 11	Structure, Style, Graphics, and Page Design	Assignment 1: Memorandum; Short Report
6	Feb. 16	Feb. 17	Structure, Style, Graphics, and Page Design; Instructions and Procedures
7	Feb. 23	Feb. 25	Proposals	Assignment 1: Instructions/Directions Exercise
8	Mar. 2	Mar. 4	Analytical Reports; Take Home Quiz Review	Assignment 2: Proposal Topic
9	Mar. 9	Mar. 11	No Class --- Spring Break	-
10	Mar. 16	Mar. 18	Front Matter and End Matter:  Technical Documents	Assignment 2: Introduction
11	Mar. 23	Mar. 25	Technical Definitions, Descriptions, and Specifications	Assignment 2: Proposed Plan
12	Mar. 30	Apr. 1	Finalizing/Formatting/Proofing Documents	Assignment 2:  Conclusion; Front and End Matter
13	Apr.6	Apr. 8	Writing Conferences	Assignment #3: Report Topic; Quiz
14	Apr. 13	Apr. 15	Writing Conferences	Assignment 3: Introduction
15	Apr. 20	Apr. 22	Writing Conferences	Assignment 3: Collected Data
16	Apr. 27	Apr. 29	Writing Conferences End of Semester	Assignment 3: Conclusions and Recommendations; Front and End Matter

*Note:  Assignments can be completed earlier than these dates, but  are not by the dates above.