Engl. 204--Writing for the Technical Professions

Engl. 204
Technical Writing



General information

Syllabus

Discussion Board

Editing, Readings for Assignments, and Sample Projects

Web Help Corner

Job Links

Research Links

UB Library (opens in a new window)

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General Information

Welcome to English 204! This is a supplementary webpage, designed to complement our class. It will provide you with a quick overview of the course and syllabus as well as with useful links and a discussion board where you can "chat" with other students outside class.

Required Text

Click on cover page to get to support website:

John Lannon. Technical Communication. 10th ed. New York: Pearson, Longman, 2006. ISBN: 0-321-27076-2

Further support for textbook

How to Purchase Book:

All the textbooks are available at the UB bookstore. If you prefer to order your textbook on-line, here are two direct links:

amazon.com
bookfinder4u.com

Other Required Items

• Access to a computer and the Web/email outside the classroom

• Microsoft Office XP (Win) or Microsoft Office X (Mac)

Course Description and Objectives

The goal of this course is to help you communicate effectively within the technical professions, both in writing and in oral settings. As an advanced course in writing and Technical Communication, it will familiarize you with the discourse practices common in your future institutional communities within mono- as well as in multi-cultural settings and aide you in applying them to your own work.

Course Requirements

  • Four Major Writing/Web-Based Portfolios, each consisting of several individual assignments. Each project requires several drafts to be work-shopped in class.
  • Research Proposal for Technical Research Project
  • Progress Report for Technical Research Project
  • In-class Power Point presentation, based on your Technical Research Project
  • In-class workshops, writings, and participation in class

The Four Portfolios:                              

1) Portfolio # 1: Job Applications

  • Résumé (draft, group comments, and final)
  • Sample application letter (draft, group comments, and final)
  • Audience analysis memo                                  

2) Portfolio  # 2: Document Design: Collaborative Development of Web Site

  • Group home page
  • Audience analysis memo

3) Portfolio 3: Instructions/Manual: Individual Web Page linked to Group Home Page

  • Web site linked to group home page
  • Audience analysis memo

4) Portfolio # 4: Technical Research Project

  • Proposal for research project
  • Progress report for research project
  • Draft of project and group comments
  • Final, polished version of research project
  • Audience analysis memo
  • Power Point Presentation slides and notes

Class Discussion

In class we will discuss various situations and problems within the world of technical professions and interweave discussions of texts and their techniques of writing with our own writing projects. We will also analyze each other’s writings as well as workshop our projects. Since the success of our class depends on your active participation, I expect you to take part in class discussion.

Attendance

Attendance is required, since workshopping and discussion form an integral part of the course. More than 2 absences will result in a lowered grade (half a letter grade per absence over the allowed minimum), up to and including “F.” Two late arrivals to class will be considered one absence, as will two early “departures” or leaving and returning to class while it is in session. Arriving to class more than 20 minutes late will be considered one absence. If you have to miss any class, you are responsible for all materials covered and all assignments due that day. In-class work cannot be made up.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of passing off somebody else’s work as your own, whether it is literally “stealing” somebody else’s work word-for-word or using somebody else’s ideas without acknowledging so, even if you put them in your own words, or relying too heavily on an outside editing source. Plagiarism demonstrates contempt for ethical standards, your instructor, and your peers. Thus, if you hand in plagiarized work, you will receive zero credit for the assignment and risk failing the course.

Grading

• Portfolio # 1:                              20 %

• Portfolio # 2:                              10 %

• Portfolio # 3:                              10 %

• Portfolio # 4: 30 %

• Power Point Presentation:            10 %

• Peer Edits & Class Participation: 20 %

Have Fun in our Class!!!!

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