top of page

WEEK 1

 

Thursday, August 20

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:

 

RED TEXT MEANS IT'S A LINK OR PDF. ALWAYS CLICK IT.

WEEK 2

 

Tuesday, August 25

 

In class:

 

  • Define technical and scientific communication

  • Share specific interests in the field

  • Discuss Katz

  • Analyze Nazi memo

 

Homework:

 

 

Thursday, August 27

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 1: Communicating in the Technical Workplace

  • Twitter Response #2: Answer this question posed in Chpt. 1: How important is technical communication?

    • Re-tweet and comment on at least one classmate's response (need help with re-tweeting? read this.)

 

 

 

WEEK 3

 

Tuesday, September 1

 

In class:

​

  • Discuss TCSFT, Chpt. 1

  • Discuss features of memos

  • Practice composing internal memos

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 6: Technical Descriptions and Specifications

  • Twitter Response #3: Based on the reading, tweet an idea (subject) for your Technical Description assignment

 

Thursday, September 3

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 2: Readers and Contexts of Use

  • Compose and bring a printed copy of a memo to me that includes a proposal for the subject you wish to write about in your technical description. Be sure to include detailed information about:

    • the subject itself

    • the type of description (is it based on parts, process, specifications, etc.?)

    • the primary audience, including who they are, what they already know, what they need to know, etc. (please draw on the information provided in Chpt. 2)

    • the potential design/layout (for example, will you use columns, sidebars, etc.?)

    • how the description connects to our class theme of zombies (specifically emergency and disaster response)

TCSFT = Technical Communication Strategies for Today

WM = Writing Matters

 

Copies available at Zuhl Library (on reserve),

The Writing Center (clara belle williams 102), and

the Design Center (Milton Hall Basement 014M).

WEEK 4

 

Tuesday, September 8

 

In class:

​

  • Discuss TCSFT, Chpt. 2

  • Peer review memo (proposal for Technical Description)

  • Conduct reader profiles

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 13: Designing Documents and Interfaces

  • Twitter Response #4: Tweet at least one design strategy you will use in creating your technical description

 

Thursday, September 10

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:

  • Complete the "Revision Challenge" in Chpt. 6, pg. 154. Bring index card to class.

  • Twitter Response #5: Find an example of a technical description that you believe is effective. Either tweet a photo of or link to the document along with a brief statement about what makes the document effective.

WEEK 5

 

Tuesday, September 15 -- CLASS CANCELED

 

 

 

Thursday, September 17

 

In class:

 

  • Share index cards from "Revision Challenge"

  • Discuss examples of effective technical descriptions

  • Develop rubric for Technical Description assignment

 

Homework:
 

  • Complete Technical Description rough draft. Bring copy to class for peer review.

  • Twitter Response #6: Tweet your best/favorite sentence from your Technical Description

  • OPTIONAL: Read Writing Matters tab 1, section 2 (pgs. 3-6: The Writer's Responsibility)

  • OPTIONAL: Read Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts" (PDF)

WEEK 6

 

Tuesday, September 22

 

In class:

​​

  • Peer review Technical Description assignment (rough draft) using rubric

  • Introduce Instructions assignment

 

Homework:

 

  • Revise Technical Description assignment. Bring one printed copy final draft, one printed copy of rough draft, and peer review feedback/notes to class to turn in.

  • OPTIONAL: Read Writing Matters tab 2, section 6 (pgs. 39-49: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading)

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 7: Instructions and Documentation

 

Thursday, September 24

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:

 

  • Read Robin Williams, "The Joshua Tree Epiphany" (PDF)

  • Complete the "Revision Challenge" in Chpt. 7, pg. 195. Bring revised Klondike instructions to class.

  • Twitter Response #7: Tweet which design principle(s) from Williams you focused on most in your "Revision Challenge" and why.

WEEK 7

 

Tuesday, September 29 

 

In class:

​

  • Discuss "The Joshua Tree Epiphany"

  • Discuss CRAP Principles of Design

  • Peer review Klondike revision

 

Homework:

 

  • Read Mike Markel, "Designing Print and Online Documents" (PDF)

  • Twitter Response #8: Based on the readings so far about creating instructions and designing documents, tweet an idea (subject) for your Instructions assignment and whether your instructions will be a print or online document.

 

Thursday, October 1 (class meets in Design Center, Milton Hall Basement 014M)

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:​
 

  • Complete "Individual or Team Project" #2 (creating first aid instructions for college students) in TCSFT pg. 195. You're provided the audience and purpose, but you choose a specific first aid subject and an appropriate genre/layout to work with.

  • Twitter Response #9: Tweet a photo of your instructions so we can see your design choices.

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 14: Creating and Using Graphics 

WEEK 8

 

Tuesday, October 6 (class meets in Design Center, Milton Hall Basement 014M)

 

In class:

​

 

Homework:

  • Read Robin Williams, "Designing Type" (PDF)

  • Complete Williams' "An exercise in combing contrasts" (PDF pg. 196)

  • Twitter Response #10: Tweet a photo of your completed exercise

 

Thursday, October 8 (class meets in Design Center, Milton Hall Basement 014M)

 

In class:

 

  • Create rubric for Instructions assignment

  • Work on Instructions rough draft

 

Homework:​
 

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 13: Designing Documents and Interfaces

  • Twitter Response #11: In 140 characters or fewer, tell us how you've used one of the four design principles in your Instructions rough draft.

  • Finish Instructions rough draft. Bring one printed or digital copy to class for peer review.

WEEK 9

 

Tuesday, October 13 

 

In class:

​

  • Peer review Instructions rough draft

  • Introduce Proposal assignment

  • Determine groups for Proposal 

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT, Chpt. 8: Proposals

  • Twitter Response #12: Tweet a pitch for a new idea, product, or service that you would be interested writing a proposal for.

 

Thursday, October 15 (NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING -- MEET WITH GROUP INSTEAD)

 

In class:

 

  • Select a proposal topic (use Twitter Responses #12 to get started)

  • Develop an elevator pitch for proposal topic (see TCSFT Chpt. 8 pp. 224-226)

 

Homework:​
 

  • Finish and practice elevator pitch for proposal topic (to be delivered in class Tuesday)

  • Finish Instructions final draft. Either bring printed copy to class or email Jen the link/file before class begins (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing format).

  • Write Instructions revision memo.  Either bring printed copy to class or email Jen the link/file before class begins (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing format).

WEEK 10

 

Tuesday, October 20

 

In class:

​

  • Turn in Instructions final draft

  • Deliver elevator pitches

  • Determine proposal rhetorical situations

 

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 9: Activity Reports (pay special attention to sections on progress and status reports)

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 3: Working in Teams

  • Twitter Response #13: From your reading, what is the best piece of advice for working in teams and why?

 

Thursday, October 22 (class meets in Design Center, Milton Hall Basement 014M)

 

In class:

​

 

Homework:​
 

  • Complete progress report #1. Email to Jen before the start of class (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing guidelines).

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 12: Researching and Research Methods

WEEK 11

 

Tuesday, October 27

 

In class:

​

 

Homework:

 

  • Read Elizabeth Trebeaux and Sam Dragga, "Writing Ethically" (PDF)

  • Re-read TCSFT Chpt. 8: Proposals Case Study: The Mole (pg. 237)

  • Twitter Response #14: Tweet your answer to the case study's questions: What would be the ethical choice in this situation? How do you think Henry should handle this interesting opportunity?

 

 

Thursday, October 29 (class meets in Design Center, Milton Hall Basement 014M)

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:​
 

  • Complete progress report #2. Email to Jen before the start of class (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing guidelines).

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 4: Ethics in the Technical Workplace

  • Twitter Response #15: In a tweet (two if necessary) answer these questions: What is an ethical consideration emerging from your Proposal? Whom might be affected by the ethical consideration? How will you address this consideration in your Proposal?

WEEK 12

 

Tuesday, November 3

 

In class:
 

  • Discuss ethics in proposal writing

  • Read example proposal (TCSFT chpt. 8 pgs. 229-236)
     

Homework:

 

  • Read TCSFT Chpt. 14 (Creating and Using Graphics)

  • Twitter Response #16: Fill in this analogy: Citing is like _______________. It makes you ________________.

 

 

Thursday, November 5 

 

In class:

 

 

Homework:​
 

  • Complete progress report #3. Email to Jen before the start of class (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing guidelines).

  • Twitter Response #17: Based on the example proposals we looked at in class or examples you've found on your own, what is one "take away" that you will use in your own proposal writing?

WEEK 13

 

Tuesday, November 10 (NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING -- SCHEDULED TEAM CONFERENCES WITH JEN IN D.C.)

 

In class:
 

  • Bring draft of Proposal

  • Discuss areas that need to be completed

  • Look at APA style

​

Homework:

 

  • Complete Proposal rough draft. Bring two (2) printed copies to class for peer review.

 

 

Thursday, November 12

 

In class:

 

  • Proposal rough draft due

  • Peer review Proposal
     

Homework:​
 

  • Complete progress report #4. Email to Jen before the start of class (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing guidelines).

  • Twitter response #18: What was the most interesting thing you learned peer reviewing other teams' proposals?

WEEK 14

 

Tuesday, November 17 (NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING -- MEET WITH TEAM INSTEAD | NEED HELP? COME SEE JEN 9:30-11:30 IN DC)

 

In class:
 

  • Finish Proposal revisions

​

Homework:

 

  • Complete Proposal final draft. Email to Jen before the start of class (see Syllabus for file saving and emailing guidelines) or bring printed copy to class.

 

 

Thursday, November 19

 

In class:

 

Homework:​
 

WEEK 15

 

Tuesday, November 24 (NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING -- THANKSGIVING BREAK)

 

 

Thursday, November 26 (NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING -- THANKSGIVING BREAK)

 

 

WEEK 16

 

Tuesday, December 1 

 

In class:
 

​

Homework:

 

 

 

Thursday, December 3

 

In class:

 

Homework:​
 

FINAL EXAM

 

Thursday, December 10 @ 9 a.m.

 

In class:
 

bottom of page