Additional Readings on Electronic Reserve and the Website

REQUIREMENTS

We will focus on five major technical writing projects:

1. Job Application Materials
2. Organizational Brochure
3. Organizational Website
4. Instructions/Procedure Manual
5. Formal Proposal

Several of these projects are collaborative, requiring work in teams. All of them involve turning in memos and drafts as well as final versions of each document. Every piece of writing turned in to me must be typed. Vision and revision are crucial to the process of creating successful documents, which brings me to

The Final Portfolio:

All of your projects and course materials should be saved for potential inclusion in the final portfolio. This is an organized collection of your revised and polished work, AND it can serve as a professional portfolio when you seek a job in technical writing or a related area.

HOW THE CLASS WORKS

Youll receive details on these projects later. Active participation and involvement in this course is crucial to pass it. I expect you to be willing to think, give feedback to your peers, and be open-minded to new ways of thinking and different perspectives. You may talk with me at any time about your work in the class.

You will also receive extensive feedback and comments from me that not only indicate the quality of your work but also suggest ways to revise and improve your writing, design and communication skills. I give feedback informally during workshops, but also in the form of conferences. We will conference singly or in teams several times during the semester. Missing a conference equals one class absence.

Absences:

Since much of the work is done in class, and I often cover important theoretical background in lectures, you must be here in order to do your job. You are allowed three absences total. After that, any absences will adversely affect your grade. I estimate a ½ letter grade for each additional absence. After five absences, you will be automatically dropped from the course or given a grade of F.

If you are absent, any papers are still due before class time, in my Eng. Dept. mailbox (not on my office deskI will throw those away). If you cannot complete an assignment, still come to class. If your absence prevents you from presenting an oral project, you may receive a zero and no chance to make up the work. I know there are circumstances we cannot control, but the instructor reserves the right to determine if and when missed work can be made up for credit. If youre worried about meeting a due date or missing a class, please speak with me in advance.