Technical Writing (English 305J) will help you
develop effective writing strategies for workplace communication.
You will learn how to initiate, plan, compose, and evaluate written
communication; then you will carry out these writing activities in
real workplace scenarios, thus helping you understand how writing
is used to carry out organizational goals, improve social and work
relations, and develop effective and ethical uses of technology. We
will also discuss the general principles of effective communication.
There will be several types of written assignments due in this
class. Each will model those you will find in the workplace. Since
this is technical writing, not business writing, the majority
of writing will be focused on instructing and communicating knowledge
to individuals and groups who are not familiar with the information.
However, typical business communication forms (such as memos,
etc.) will be assigned.
Each writing assignment will go through a collaborative drafting
process that includes in-class class workshops. All written work
and oral presentations will be supported with effective, appropriate
graphics. In addition to writing assignments, there will be quizzes covering
topics such as grammar, reading assignments, and document design, as
well as a final exam that will cover readings and lectures on the principles
of technical communication.
This course will operate
as a workshop. This means that, while I will lecture from time
to time, the bulk of our class time will be spend going over the
previous evening's reading assignments, writing that you’ve prepared
for each class, class discussions, and in-class writing and activities.
In order to do well in this class, you will have to read an average
of one or two chapters from our textbook and prepare a written assignment
for each class period. All assignments, including in-class activities
and writing, must be completed to pass this class.
This course is meant to help you in your current and future
professional life outside of the university. I will expect you
to achieve the same professional standards that any employer will
expect: come prepared and ready to work every day.
