Using the
course text listed below, the sequence on this page was developed. Instructors
may find that it is not possible to get all of the assigned text pages
completed. It might also be decided that other exercises in the text
should be substituted for some of those listed. Modifications can, of
course, be made. The point of the text exercises is to introduce writing
skills and give opportunity to practice before applying the skills to
complete the larger tasks.
Below is a small list of texts that instructors might wish to examine.
Sometimes, an idea from a supplemental text can help an instructor introduce
or develop an assignment in a way that is more effective than the way
the assignment is presented in the text.
There are numerous other business and technical writing textbooks
published. To borrow some supplemental texts, see Michael Goeller.
The syllabus
on this page gives a sense of the work that might be assigned during
the semester. Individual instructors will, of course, make modifications
as needed. Text assignments noted in red italics
are intended for grading. Other text
exercises are intended for practice experiences. Technical writing application
activities which will be graded include the Cover Letter/Resume, Annotated
Bibliography, User Manual Team project, Oral presentations (User Manual
- team; Proposal - individual), Web page, and Proposal. The "Sample
Assignments" link to the left can be used to learn more about each
of the activities.
Class
|
Activities
and Assignments
|
For
Next Class
|
|
01
|
Introduction
to course; review of requirements; Ch. 1 discussion; Writing sample
[p.17,#7].
|
Read
Ch. 2 to prepare for next class. |
|
02
|
Ch.
2: Audience: p. 28, ex. 1 - Group discussion in class p. 36,
#7 - Group activity Memo, p. 33, #6 - Individual
memo |
Read
Ch. 3 to prepare for next class. |
|
03
|
Ch.
3: The Technical Writing Process: p. 49, #1b - Group activity
- Writing a plan for a document, p. 55, #4 - Revising for format,
p. 59, #8 - Revise for format and audience
Individual writing |
Read
Chs. 12 & 19 to prepare for next class. |
|
04
|
Chs.
12 & 19: Preparing letters, memos, email: Form and content matters |
Read
Ch. 4 to prepare for next class. |
|
05
|
Ch.
4: Technical Writing Style: pp. 74 -75: Passive voice;
Parallel structure - Group activity, pp. 79 - 80 Choppiness, wordiness,
"you", sexist language - Group activity,
pp. 89 - 90, #2 - Revising paragraphs
Ethics: Return to Ch. 1; discussion; [p. 20, #16];
Exchange papers and rewrite according
to [p. 20, #18]
|
Read
Ch. 20 to prepare for next class. |
|
06
|
Ch.
20: Job Application Materials: Begin the process of developing
a resume. In subsequent classes, work on cover letter and follow
up letter writing. This work will include in and out of class work. |
Read
Ch. 5 to prepare for next class. Bring draft of resume to
class (2 copies) |
|
07
|
Ch.
5: Researching: (Assume computer classroom is available) p.
122, #4 - Primary Research (Group activity) RU Library - Using the
e-library for secondary research p. 120, #3 Resumes to be checked;
plan to write the cover letter. |
Read
Ch. 16 to prepare for next class.
Revise resume and write the cover letter. Bring 2 copies of each
to next class.
|
|
08
|
Ch.
16: Proposals: Introduce this assignment which will involve
researching, writing, and presenting information about a "problem"
to be solved. Final paper will be 4 to 5 pages. Topic ideas will
be discussed.
Cover Letter/Resume will be reviewed today. |
Topic
needed for Proposal. Do some Internet research to see what you can
find about the topic.
Final copy of the Cover Letter and Resume needed for next class. |
|
09
|
Ch.
5: Researching: Continue work started last class. Use library
research to develop foundation for the proposed plan. (Computer
Lab needed) |
Continue
your research work. |
|
10
|
Ch.
16: Proposals: Annotated bibliography of 3 sources that relate
to the proposal topic - Start (and maybe complete) in class, assuming
Computer Lab availability. |
Read
Ch. 8 to prepare for next class. |
|
11
|
Ch.
8: Using Visual Aids: p. 205, #6 - Group activity - Creating
a visual, p. 205, #7 - Individual task
|
Read
Ch. 17 to prepare for next class. |
|
12
|
Ch.
17: User Manual: Introduce this collaborative activity: Groups
will be assigned. Each team will develop a manual and prepare to
present it in class. |
Read
Ch. 11 to prepare for next class. |
|
13
|
Ch.
11: Set of Instructions: Chapter will be used to organize the
User Manual. Collaborative groups will work in class on their manuals.
Teams need to do an assignment log to delegate tasks that need to
be done for next class meeting. |
Do
the follow-up work you agreed to do for your team's project. |
|
14
|
Ch.
17: User Manual: Teams will have time to work together on their
manuals. |
Read
Ch. 6 to prepare for next class. |
|
15
|
Ch.
6: Summarizing: (Summary and Abstract Writing) p. 138, #3
- Group activity (Summary) p. 138, #2 - Individual activity with
follow up peer workshop (Abstract)
p. 138, #4 - Individual activity - use
an article from the proposal research for this summary. Finish
out of class.
User
Manual teams need to discuss plans for the next class.
|
Finish
your assignment and be ready to help your team do its presentation. |
|
16
|
Ch.
17: User Manual: Final preparations for the oral presentations |
Each
team member must prepare for the presentation. |
|
17
|
Ch.
17: User Manual: Each group will present its manual. Peer evaluations
will be done. |
Read
Ch. 7 to prepare for next class. |
|
18
|
Ch.
7: Designing Pages: p. 162, #5 - Group activity -- Concepts
from this chapter will be used for the Proposal assignment and the
Web Page assignment |
Read
Chs. 9 and 10 to prepare for next class. |
|
19
|
Ch.
9: Defining: p. 223, #3 and #5 - Group activities, p.
223, #2 - Individual activity - Probably completed during class
Ch. 10: Describing: p. 255, #7 - Group activity p. 258, Web
Exercise: In computer lab - can finish in class or for homework |
Bring
2 copies of first draft of Proposal to class.
Bring
drafts of visuals for review and comments.
|
|
20
|
Ch.
16: Proposals: Checking first drafts; planning for revision;
getting ready for Oral Presentations -- visuals to check; ask any
questions about the assignments. |
The
Oral Presentation needs to be planned and practiced carefully. |
|
21
|
Ch.
13: Developing Web Sites: Selected exercises (p. 353) will be
used to introduce web page design. Assuming computer lab availability,
each student should be able to create a home page. |
Oral
presentation, Proposal, and Web page are the remaining tasks to
work on. |
|
22
|
Continue
work on Web page design. The assignment must be handed in next class.
|
|
23
|
Oral
Presentations
start today. Peer evaluation groups will be arranged so that students
receive comments from instructor and several class members.
Hand
in Web page assignment today.
|
Practice
for your presentation. Once you're finished, work on the draft
of your Proposal.
Everyone
needs to bring 2 copies of the Proposal draft to class on 4/29.
|
|
24
|
Oral
Presentations
|
|
25
|
Oral
Presentations |
|
26
|
Oral
Presentations |
|
27
|
Peer
Workshop for Proposals; Consider final revision work that might
be needed |
Complete
the revision. Bring the final paper and your folder to class. |
|
28
|
Submit
Proposal; Complete Final Exam |
You're
finished! |
|
