Syllabus for ENG-201

TECHNICAL WRITING


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Technical Writing is a one-semester course specifically designed to recognize and address the relationship between effective communication and professional success. In particular, the course is designed to teach students how to communicate necessary information in clear and concise writing. As a result, it differs sharply from typical composition courses. Technical Writing focuses on the workplace and the needs of a professional, rather than on an academic setting and the needs of a student.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Technical Writing is designed to enable you to develop your communication skills through lessons that cover:

CO1        Technical communications and audience.

CO2        Communication and readers in the workplace.

CO3        Strategies for writing clear English.

CO4        Effective page layout and design.

CO5        Visual aids to understanding.

CO6        Communication technologies.

CO7        Effective planning.

CO8        Strategies for revision.

CO9        Models for instruction, description, definition, and summary.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

ISBN-13: 978-0321003522

ISBN-13: 978-1457675522

COURSE STRUCTURE

Technical Writing is a three-credit online course consisting of eleven modules. Each module focuses on one or more specific topics relating to clear and concise communication. At the end of each module you will have a written activity that you must submit to your mentor. In addition, at the end of Module 11, you will submit your Final Assessment.

As you proceed through the course, you will move from general concepts and techniques to specific technical writing situations and activities. The first module addresses technical communication and the importance of a thorough knowledge of audience. Modules 2 through 4 explore the tools of today's technical writers: clear language, appropriate information design, relevant visuals to illustrate what is being discussed, and helpful technologies, particularly the computer. The fourth module also addresses the actual process of technical writing: planning, drafting, reviewing, and revising. Modules 5 through 11 address the specific technical writing strategies needed to successfully respond to seven specific situations requiring explanations, descriptions, definitions, summaries, reports, proposals, and correspondence.

Both ENC-101 and 102 (English Composition I and II), or their equivalents are prerequisites, so this course will not address grammar, rhetoric, research, or documentation styles such as MLA or APA. These topics are, however, covered in the Handbook of Technical Writing, and you are encouraged to make frequent use of the Handbook.

This course requires you to take a proctored midterm examination and complete and submit a final assessment.

Modules include learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take a proctored online midterm examination, and complete a final project. See below for more details.

Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Discussion Forums

Technical Writing requires you to participate in online class discussions. In addition to an ungraded introduction forum in Week 1, you are required to participate in five graded online discussions.

Communication with the mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For posting guidelines and help with discussion forums, please see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete eleven written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.

Each written assignment is designed to give you practical experience in specific areas of technical writing.

Prepare your written assignments using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name, course code, current semester and year in which you are enrolled.

Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program.

For help regarding preparing and submitting assignments, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course website.

Midterm Examination

For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam(s), refer to the study guide(s) available in the Examinations section of the course Web site.

This course requires you to take a proctored online midterm examination.

The midterm is a closed-book, proctored online exam. However, you may use scrap paper. It is two hours long and covers material in Modules 1-6. The examination will contain short essays, sentence revisions, and procedure questions. If you have concerns about the format and/or content of the examination, please contact your mentor at least one week in advance of the scheduled test.

For the midterm, you are required to use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the "Examinations and Proctors" section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course Web site) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.

Online exams are administered through the course website. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam weeks.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during an exam. Cheating means:

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in an exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

Final Project

The Final Project requires you to write a report and a cover letter. Together they will reflect your understanding of much of the material presented in the course, including writing in clear language; using appropriate document design and page layout; creating visuals; understanding of the technical writing process; the ability to use the Internet to obtain appropriate data; clearly writing explanations, descriptions, and definitions; and use of appropriate correspondence. For details about this requirement, see the Final Project area of the course website.

For help regarding preparing and submitting activities, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course website.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A

=

93–100

C+

=

78–79

A–

=

90–92

C

=

73–77

B+

=

88–89

C–

=

70–72

B

=

83–87

D

=

60–69

B–

=

80–82

F

=

Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings, etc.).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see:

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