Although I am on campus Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri., it is recommended that you make an appointment. I am available for scheduled and walk-in appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 10:30 to 11 a.m., as well as immediately after our class meetings. Additionally, you may contact me via e-mail or leave a message via WIT's 24-hour voice mail system. I will also make every attempt to meet with you at other mutually convenient times.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To provide students with strategies for overall effective technical communications, including individual and collaborative writing, technical techniques, manual components, effective correspondence, presentations, accessing information and building professional/technical communication skills used in business and industry. This course will also serve to increase and enhance the awareness and importance of general technical communication strategies including the writing process, the design, presentation and production of documents and visual elements, and the role of ethics in technical communications.

TEXT

Professional & Technical Writing Strategies, Communicating in Technology & Science, 4th Edition, Judith Van Alstyne, Prentice Hall. (A copy is available in the WIT Library)

ADDITIONAL READINGS

The course will include additional materials and information provided by the instructor. Students are responsible for all readings, materials and information discussed/distributed in class.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend all classes. Excessive absences can result in withdrawal from the class. More than six (6) absences could result in a final grade reduction.

Attendance and class participation will be considered in determining the final grade. Attendance is especially important - THE INSTRUCTOR WILL BRING IN OUTSIDE MATERIALS.

SAVING WORK

Students are required to save their assignments on an IBM formatted disk, in Microsoft Word. Students should maintain their work and handouts in a folder/portfolio. When submitting any work, students are expected to submit their original work and maintain a copy for their own folder/portfolio.

ASSIGNMENTS

This course will include regularly scheduled assignments/quizzes/presentations. Assignments must be mechanically produced and adhere to the appropriate format.
Students are expected to have a familiarity with Microsoft Word.

DEADLINES

As dictated in business/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 may result in a grade reduction AND must be received by the date noted by the Professor.

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.

GRADING

Based on the following six components:
(1) assignments/activities (20%)
(2) mid-term exam*,(20%)
(3) comprehensive final exam (20%)
(4) presentation (15%)
(5) written manual/report (20%)
(6) attendance,participation, preparedness, in-class professionalism (5%)

* also serves as the mid-term grade

The final grade will be the result of a compilation of the above.

ASSIGNMENT GRADING

A) EXCELLENT: A document/work of professional quality in organization, format, composition, spelling, punctuation, mechanics and content. Unless otherwise noted, up to five errors.

B) ACCEPTABLE: A document or presentation which would/may be suitable for a professional workplace, but which undermines its credibility with some small errors, including mechanical errors. Unless otherwise noted, six to nine errors.

C) CHANGES NEEDED: Approximately 10-15 errors.

D) UNACCEPTABLE: A document or work which contains major errors.

F) Assignment/work not submitted or submitted after deadline.

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.

SYLLABUS

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 or added due to time constraints. The Instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus. Content area may not necessarily be presented in the order noted below.

PART I – GENERAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES:

Professional & Technical Communications (Chapt.1)
Audience Analysis
The Writing Process: Brainstorming, Outlining (Chapt.2)
Graphics (Chapt.3)
Designing: Typography, White Space Margins, (Chapt.4)

PART I I – TECHNICAL STRATEGIES:

Introduction to Preparing Manuals (Chapt.5)
Terms (Chapt.6)
Describing Mechanisms & Giving Instructions (Chapts.6&7)
Instructions (Chapt.8)
Lists

Mid Term Exam (tba):

PART III – STRATEGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL WRITER:

Correspondence: Professional Letters/Memos (Chapts.10&11)
Reports (Chapts.12&13)
Resume & Cover Letter (Chapt.11)
Determining Style & Tone
Meetings: The Agenda, Information Gathering & Dissemination

PART IV – RESEARCH STRATEGIES:

Interviews
The Internet
Surveys

PART V – PRESENTATION STRATEGIES :

Visual & Verbal Communications (Chapts. 17&18)

– FINAL PRESENTATIONS

Final Exam (tba):

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (Unless noted otherwise)