Spring, 1997
The class will be organized as a "workshop" which will require the active participation of all students in discussing the content of the course, doing the illustrative exercises with other students, working collaboratively and acting as an editor for other students. Students will have a weekly quiz on the reading material in addition to individual writing assignments.
The required text for the course is Technical Writing, 7th edition, by John M. Lannon. In addition, students will need a disc for the Macintosh computer and/or the IBM. Students are expected to use a computer to generate all final documents. All final documents should be printed as close to "letter quality" as possible. Students who have never used a computer for word processing are expected to take computer classes offered through the Super Lab. The class will meet the second hour in the Computer Lab in 109 or in the Super Lab.
The workshop format of the class requires regular attendance; students will have their grade reduced for each unexcused absence beyond two (2).
Work in the class is due on the assigned date, including rough drafts for workshop revision: any exceptions must be cleared with the instructor.
Students may revise any five (5) assignments of their choice; however, any assignment receiving less than 70% must be revised to to bring it up to 70%. Collaborative assignments may not be revised; all members of a collaborative work group will receive the same grade.
Unless otherwise instructed, all documents generated for this course will include a detailed audience-and-use analysis based on the Profile Sheet on pgs. 32 and 60 of the text. Students are advised to create a computerized template of this page so that they can easily duplicate this profile for use with their own work.
Wk I: March 11, 13 (No class on 13th): Introduction:: Discuss course goals, grading, workshop concept, team projects, graphics, and page design requirements. Read Chapter 1; do exercise 1. Read Chapter 2; do exercise 1. The Information Problem:: Read chapter 3; do exercise 1.
Wk II: March 18, 20: The Persuasion Problem : Read Chapter 4; do exercise 3 or 4; workshop. The Ethics Problem : Read Chapter 5, do exercise 3 and Collaborative Project. Discuss final project (proposal or report). Read Chapter 22, pages 522-551 and Chapter 23, pages 553-583. Look over Exercise 4, Chapter 22 and the exercise in Chapter 23. Review Collaborative Guideline:: Chapter 2, pgs. 21-23.
Wk III: March 25, 27: The Writing Process:: Read/review Chapter 7; do exercises 2 and 3; workshop. Style: read/review Chapter 13; do all exercises. Read Chapter 8 in preparation for final project. LIST OF POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR FINAL PROJECT IS DUE. Instructions:: Read Chapter 19, pages 434-463; do exercises 1 and 2. Do instruction set based on exercise 4 or one of the Collaborative Projects.
Wk IV: April 1, 3: Summarizing Information:: Read Chapter 11; do exercises 1 and 5; workshop; revised summary and abstract due next class meeting. Definition:: Read Chapter 17; do exercises 1, 3 and 4 or Collaborative Project 2; workshop. revised definition due next class meeting. TOPIC AND TENTATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR FINAL PROJECT ARE DUE. Review Documentation:: Read Chapter 10, discuss various documentation systems.
Wk V: April 8, 10: Organizing for Readers:: Read Chapter 12; do the exercises. TENTATIVE OUTLINE FOR FINAL PROJECT IS DUE. Visuals:: read Chapter 14; do exercises 1, 9, 11, 12 and 13; do Collaborative Project 3; workshop.
Wk VI: April 15, 17: Page Design:: Read Chapter 15; do exercise 4; workshop on exercise 4. Project Proposal:: Read Chapter 22, pages 522-551; do exercise 3; workshop; REVISED PROPOSAL FOR FINAL PROJECT DUE NEXT CLASS MEETING. Letters:: Read Chapter 20, pages 467-476; do exercise 7 in class. Recording and Reviewing Findings:: Read Chapter 9, pages 170-183; do exercise 3.
WK VII: April 22, 24: Inquiry Letters:: Read Chapter 20, pages 476-479; write letter based on exercise 2; workshop; revised inquiry letter due next class meeting; mail inquiry letters for final project. Claim Letters:: Read Chapter 20, pages 479-481; do exercise 3 or 8; workshop.
WK VIII: April 29, May 1: Resumes:: Read Chapter 20, pages 481-492; Visit Career Services. Begin scanning classified ads for a job you could fill once you graduate (you will submit the ad with your application letter); compose a resume; workshop; revised resume due next class meeting. Application Letters:: Read Chapter 20, pages 492-502; compose the application and follow-up letters; workshop revisions due next class session.
WK IX: May 6, 8: Final Project:: Read Chapter 23; begin work toward a completed draft of the report. General workshops on report sections, use of memo format, and so forth. Sign-up for 10 minute oral summary of quarter project findings.
WK X: May 13, 15: Oral Summaries:: Read Chapter 24; each student presents a ten-minute summary with visuals.
Final Exam: FINAL REVISION OF QUARTER PROJECT (WITH ALL SUPPLEMENTS) IS DUE; No formal exam.
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