Course Policies & Syllabus
EN 306: Technical Communication
Spring 2005
Instructor: Dr.
Matthew Pifer
Office: 307
Shouldice Library
Office Phone: 635-2119
E-mail: mpifer@lssu.edu
Office Hours: MWF:
1-2 p.m.
TR:
3-4 p.m.
Course Description
Introduction to Technical Communication
is designed to introduce you to various techniques and methods of communicating
within a technical context. The required
assignments expose you to the documents you may encounter in your business and
scientific careers. Through these assignments, the readings, and class
discussions you will develop a clear and focused writing style that will be
necessary when composing technical or scientific prose. During class, we will discuss many types of
documents; however, any prolonged study of one aspect of technical writing
would take away from our broad approach and would put a strain on our already
limited time frame. Because of this, I
encourage you to ask me for additional material if you would like to explore
any of the issues we address in more detail.
Technical Writing as
Problem Solving
It is useful to think of
technical writing as a form of problem solving, through which you address a
broad set of rhetorical issues, such as those concerning information,
persuasion, ethical, and global problems.
Note, however, that in referring to technical writing as "problem
solving" I do not wish to suggest that technical writing is about
correcting errors. It is not. Rather, it is about determining the nature of
a rhetorical situation and clearly communicating a message from within the
converging contexts that define it. To
do this, you will answer the following kinds of questions: what is the purpose
of the document I am writing, what are the needs of my reader to whom I am
writing, and how might I best address both of these issues, visually and
stylistically, to communicate most effectively?
Yet always remember that the primary goal of technical writing is to
communicate. Therefore, this fundamental
aspect of technical discourse needs to shape the rhetorical choices you make
when writing any technical document.
To address this central issue
and achieve a clear and concise style of communication, our class meetings will
often function as writing workshops.
During these workshops, you will practice drafting, revising, and editing
specific documents, with the express goal of composing effective technical
communications. Such communications
require the development of an appropriate linguistic style, the rhetorical use
of document design, and the precise presentation of information. Addressing
these complex issues will help you develop a technical style that will ensure
communication by reducing the reader's need to interpret, or puzzle out, the
meaning of a given document. Also
important to these workshops will be revision sessions. During these sessions,
we will stress the importance of reading critically, collaborating in groups,
and developing an individual writing process.
Ultimately, you should complete this course with an understanding of the
skills required to produce a wide range of technical documents.
Required Texts
York: Longman, 2003.
Additional Materials
In addition to paper, pens,
etc., you should purchase
1.
typing or
computer supplies as needed,
2.
photocopies as
needed,
3.
one or more
manila file folders for submitting portfolio assignments.
All necessary supplies can be
purchased at the campus bookstore.
Files of Your Graded
Assignments
During the first week of
class, I ask that you bring in a manila file folder. On the tab of this folder include the
following information:
name,
e-mail address, I.D #, semester, year, course & section, and my last name
You will keep all your graded
material in this folder and turn it in with each portfolio. I strongly encourage you to retain a copy
of each document you turn in for a grade--doing so allows you to keep a file of
your own work and also reduces the danger of losing any assignments.
Attendance and
Participation
Because class participation is essential to your and your
peers' success in this class, attendance is mandatory. The policy is as follows: “In this course,
you are allowed three unexcused absence. After these absences, your grade will be
lowered one full grade. For example,
from a B to a C and so on.”
An absence will only be
excused if you submit documented proof of an emergency, such as
an illness or death in the family within a week of the absence.
In-Office Revision
Sessions (TBA)
While working on each portfolio, and before turning each
in for a grade, you will meet with me to discuss your progress and address any
questions and concerns you have about the documents included in them. For example, we might examine your
organization of information, common grammatical issues, and use of APA
format. To make these meetings as
productive as possible, you need to schedule a meeting time and come to them
prepared, which will require you to have completed the following items:
1.
Rough draft of
the document or documents you wish to discuss.
2.
The questions you
wish to address written down, so that you will be able to take effective notes.
3.
The “Revision
Session” form (a master copy is located in the packet).
Revision Sessions
Revision sessions are an
important part of the writing process as discussed in the handout and during
class. These sessions enable both the writer of the document and the document
reviser to learn more about drafting, revising, designing a document, and
editing. These sessions also contribute
to each assignment’s final grade, as each document will be submitted with a
revision guide containing student-generated commentary. Failure to submit a draft for student
revision will be considered a serious lapse in professionalism.
Assignments
There will be four portfolio
assignments in this course. Along with
these assignments, I require that you submit the drafts and revision guides
that pertain to each of the documents you turn in for a grade. The value of each assignment (out of 100%) is
listed bellow:
Foundational Issues in
Technical Communication: (5%)
1.
Professionalism
and Attendance
2.
Reading Quizzes
(Online at << http://wps.ablongman.com/long_lannon_techcomm_9
>>): Go to “Student resources,” click on the chapter you have read, click
on “Multiple Choice Quiz,” and complete the quiz for each of the chapters
assigned. Print each one out and turn
them in with the appropriate portfolio. You can also email them to me, if doing
so works for you.
Professionalism: It is
important that you maintain a professional attitude in this class. Achieving this attitude requires you to
follow directions and abide by the corporate ethos we establish as a
class. Most importantly, however, will
be how well you work in groups to complete assignments.
Portfolio #1: Job
Application Assignment (10%)
1.
Resume
2.
Cover Letter
3.
Justification
Memo
4.
Portfolio 1
Quiz-test
Portfolio #2: Interoffice
Communication: (20%)
1.
Letter of Inquiry
2.
Letter of
Response
3.
Short Report
4.
Portfolio 2
Quiz-test
Portfolio #3: Technical
Descriptions: (30%)
1.
Hardware
Recommendation Report
2.
Technical Editing
project
3.
Process
Description for student
4.
Portfolio 3
Quiz-test
The description assignments
consist of two separate topics: one for the hardware description and
instructions and one for the process description. You will choose the topics for these
assignments from issues important to your professional interests.
Portfolio #4: Final
Project: (35%)
1.
Feasibility
Report
2.
Proposal
3.
Proposal
Presentation (Powerpoint presentation)
4.
Portfolio 4
Quiz-test
In the proposal you will
address a technical issue in your field, which will require you to conduct
library and field research. The
completion of this document will be the primary goal of this course and will
shape the other assigned documents.
Important note: Do not try to hand in work that has been completed in a
previous class. Doing so is a form of
academic dishonesty.
Grading Scale: 93-100=A, 90-92=A-, 86-89=B+, 83-85=B,
80-82=B-, 76-79=C+, 73-75=C, 70-72=C-, 66-69=D+, 63-65=D, 60-62=D-, 0-59=F
Late Assignments:
I will not accept late papers. So, please, do not try to turn in late papers
unless you have a documented excuse.
Homework assignments will only be accepted on the day they are due.
The writing lab is a resource you should use to help
you improve your writing. The writing
consultants the lab employs can help you invent, organize, and revise your
documents to meet the specific requirements established during class. Take the time to become familiar with this
resource and use it regularly.
Location:
113 Kenneth J. Shouldice Library
Lake Superior State University
(906) 635-2849
http://www.lssu.edu/lc/writlab
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting
someone else’s writing or ideas as your own.
Doing so is a form of academic misconduct that seriously undermines the
intellectual pursuits undertaken in the university and, therefore, is severely
punished. If you have any doubts about
how to cite a source ask me and I will help you document it correctly.
Student Accommodations and
Support Services
In compliance with Lake
Superior State University policy and equal access laws, disability-related
accommodations or services are available.
Students are to meet with the professor in a timely manner, preferably
the first week of class, to discuss their disability related needs. Students are required to register with the
Office of Student Accommodations and Support Services (OSASS) for disability
verification and for determination of reasonable academic accommodations. OSASS is located in the KJS Library, Office
144, Ext. 7559.
Spring 2005
This syllabus is subject
to change. However, any changes will be
announced in class. Note: The
readings and homework listed below are to be completed by the day listed.
Week 1: January 10
M Introduction to the Course: Define Technical Writing. [Begin
thinking about Final Project]
W 1. Communication & theoretical background. [read: Chs.
1-4]
2. Have
three possible topics for Final Project
F 1. Technical
Document Class Exercise. Examples illustrating why technical communication
matters.
2.
[Read Chs. 5 and 10, and Nazi Memo.]
Week 2: January 17
M 1. Begin Portfolio 1: Job Application [Read Chs. 17, 19, 12
and 13]
2. Review
collaborative ex. 1a-1h on pg. 406]
W 1. Job
application: Rough Draft of Cover Letter and Resume due [Review Ch. 13]
2. Create
interview groups
3.
Begin interviewing candidates.
F Work on
justification memo when interviews are complete [Read Ch. 6]
Week 3: January 31
M Begin
Portfolio 2: Work Place Communications: Memo, Letters, and Short Reports [read
assignment sheets, Ch. 19 (365-379), and Chs. 15 and 20]
W Letter of Inquiry and Response
F 1. Letter document design [Read Ch. 15]
2. Turn
in topic for Final Project and problem statement
3. Turn
in justification memo
Week 4: February 7
M Rough draft of Letter of Inquiry and Response due (brief
revision session)
W 1. Portfolio
#1 Due
2. Portfolio #1 Quiz-test
F Short Report [Read Ch. 18]
Week 5: February 14
M Short Report
W Rough Draft of Short Report due.
F Begin Portfolio 3: Technical Descriptions [Read Chs. 14,
21, and 22]
Foundation for developing a technical description
Week 6: February 21
M Hardware Recommendation Report
W Hardware Recommendation Report Rough Draft due
F 1. Technical
Editing Project [Read Ch. 13]
2. Portfolio #2 Due
3. Portfolio #2 Quiz-test
Week 7: February 28
SPRING BREAK
Week 9: March 7
M Technical Editing Project
W Process Description [review Ch.]
F Process
Description Rough Draft due
Week 10: March 14
M Instructions [Read Ch. 23]
W Instructions
F Begin Portfolio 4: Feasibility Report [Read Chs. 5, 16, and
25; and review Chs. 14 and 15]
Week 11: March 21
M Feasibility Report
W Feasibility Report
F 1. Portfolio #3 Due
2. Portfolio #3 Quiz-test
Week 12: March 28
M Rough draft of Feasibility Report due
W Proposal [Read Chs. 16 and 24]
F Proposal
Week 13: April 4
M Proposal: Letters of Transmittal [Review Chs. 19 and 24]
W Proposal: Informative, Descriptive Abstracts, and Summaries
[Read Ch. 11]
F Proposal: Rough Draft of Executive Summary and Technical
Proposal Sections
Week 14: April 11
M Proposal: Rough Draft of Management, Cost Proposals, and
Offerer’s Capabilities
W Proposal: Overview [Review Ch. 16]
F Presentation Overview [Read Chs. 26]
Week 15: April 18
M Proposal
Presentations [Each Group must be ready to go today. We will draw for the
official order]
W Proposal Presentations
F Proposal Presentations
Week 16: April 25: Exam
Week