To explore, enhance and improve effective professional and technical communications skills required and viewed as essential to successfully work and grow in business and industry. Students will be introduced to written and oral communication procedures and formats associated with business and industry standards.
Students will also be exposed to communications as it pertains to employment and career development concerns. Work in an oral communication presentation/team project is required.
Writing by Design, A Handbook for Technical Professionals,1st Edition, Ripley/Greene, Prentice Hall.
ADDITIONAL READINGS
The course involves EXTENSIVE OUTSIDE INFORMATION/MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. Students are responsible for all readings, materials and information discussed/distributed in class.
Students are expected to attend all classes. Excessive absences will result in withdrawal from the class. More than six (6) absences may result in a grade reduction. Attendance and class participation will be considered in determining the final grade.
This course will include regularly scheduled written/oral presentation assignments). Unless noted otherwise, all assignments must be mechanically produced (typed, wordprocessed), and adhere to the appropriate industry/standard format. As dictated by business and industry standards, adherence to deadlines is expected.
NOTE: It is expected that students have an understanding of Microsoft Word
ASSIGNMENT # 2
Assignment: (a) determining the AKL (b) communicating the purpose.
TO DO:
Prepare a two-to-three minute speech presentation. You will determine the
purpose, length and content.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a minimum of two minutes (five minutes maximum)
- Topic & content must be suitable for your audience (Your Prof. and classmates)
- You must submit a typed, completed form (see below)
- You cannot read your speech. Use and refer to your notes
- You may bring in materials in support of your presentation
- Questions may be asked by class members/Professor
GRADING CRITERIA:
- Your speech must show evidence of an Intro, Body & Close (A Message Sandwich)
- The speech must meet the time requirements
- Your form must be submitted to me (wordprocessed) PRIOR to your speech
How To Contact Your Istructor
I may be contacted via Wentworth’s 24-hour voice mail system at 989.4381. I have office hours posted on my 8-414 office door. You many also reach me via e-mail at lazarovich@wit.edu
As dictated in business and industry standards, deadlines are expected to be met. Assignments are expected to be completed and submitted on time. Late submissions may not be accepted. If accepted, they will result in a reduction of points AND must be received within two class of the original due date.
Exam and assignment make-ups are up to the professor's discretion and may not necessarily be allowed. MAKE-UPS ARE NOT ALLOWED FOR MISSED IN-CLASS WORK.
SAVING WORK
Students are expected to save their assignments on computer disk. (An IBM formatted disk, saved in Microsoft Word. It is the students' responsibility to maintain their work and handouts. When submitting any work, students are expected to submit original work and maintain a copy for their own files.
Students will be graded on the basis of the following:
(1) regularly scheduled assignments/activities, (25%)
(2) a mid-term exam, (25%) (Serves as mid-term grade)
(3) a comprehensive final exam, (25%)
(4) a brief team report (15%)
(5) final oral presentation (20%)
The final grade will be the result of a compilation of the above categories. Your class performance and effort during the semester, as well as attendance, preparedness and professionalism will also be considered in determining the final grade.
THE
WRITING CENTER
at Wentworth
All written work submitted for this course must meet the Standards for English I. Poorly written work may be returned to the student for revision.
Students are encouraged to utilize the services of the Writing Center for help with their written work. The Center will provide one-on-one guidance to students who have difficulty with English Language Skills and/or Composition Skills. Staff will also be available as a resource for any student who has questions about his/her written work.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the staff and utilize the services of The Writing Center. I urge you to utilize their assistance.
This syllabus is meant to serve merely as a guide to course activities/expectations. Additional time may be required to complete topics, while some topics may not be covered due to time constraints. The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus. Content area may not necessarily be presented or presented in the order noted below.
I - WIT TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Using WIT e-mail, Drop Folders, WWW
II - COMMUNICATION/PRESENTATION FOUNDATIONS:
The Communication Process
The Document Design Process
Audience Analysis & Internal Audience - Demographics
Determining the Purpose of your communication
III - PROCESS ANALYSIS
Procedures & Technical Descriptions
Formats: Narrative, Step-by-step
IV - THE WRITING PROCESS
Avoiding the "Gray Look"
Simplifying your writing
Avoiding jargon, redundancies, roundabouts & insensitive language
V - CORRESPONDENCE
Direct Letters
Direct Memos
The Brief Report
VI - MID TERM EXAM (TBA)
VII - DEVELOPING VISUALS FOR PRESENTATIONS:
Using Powerpoint presentation software
Graphics
Developing effective presentation visuals
VIII - REPORTS:
Planning & Research
Proposals/Formal Reports
IX - PRESENTATION SKILLS:
The Presentation Design Process
Reducing Speech/Presentation anxiety
X - TEAM PRESENTATIONS - (TBA)
XI - FINAL EXAM (TBA)
* REQUIRED FORMAT FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
1. Type or wordprocess your work.
2. Use 1.5 or double space your sentences.
3. Include appropriate space between your paragraphs.
4. INDENT? (Your choice, but be consistent).
5. Use a one to one-and-one-half inch margin on ALL SIDES (top, bottom, left and right sides).
6. Number your pages.
7. FLUSH LEFT, on the BOTTOM of your LAST PAGE include:
Jane Smith (Your Name)
COMM 175-01 (Course Number AND Section)
Assignment NAME (Audience Analysis)
Due Date (October, 21, 2000)
9. Use white paper.
10. Do not include a cover or cover page.
11. Proof your work. (Spell check AND read it).
(RE member, spell Czech is knot and May knot all weighs bee Write)
12. Unless otherwise noted, use Left Justification (ragged right).
13.Use appropriate Font and Print size
Recommended font sizes (12),
Suggested fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Arial
(This line has been typed using Times New Roman, 12 point)
