Instructor: Dr.

Will Kurlinkus

English 3153
MW: 1:30-2:45PM
E-Mail: wkurlinkus@gmail.com
Office: Cate 2, Room 338
Technical Writing Office Hours: MW 12-1:30 or Ask

Materials
Overview
! Rocket Surgery Made Easy
From the most basic lab report to medical aftercare instructions, from ! Grant Writing Made Easy
museum displays to airplane safety guides—in English 3153, students learn
! Notebook + Folder
to analyze and produce technical documents across a variety of settings.
In particular this course will take a user-centered design approach to ! Other readings made
writing for science, workplace, and consumer settings in which students available online for free
will research the user-audiences of their documents.
Assignments
Goals 1. Application Packet: 20%
! Learn to produce technical communication genres, 2. Instructions Set: 20%
! Learn to respond to the rhetorical situations of professional settings,
designing documents in specific ways for specific audiences, 3. Grant: 20%
! Learn the basics of scannable document design, 4. Usability Test: 30% (10%.10%.10%)
! Learn to translate technical information to non-technical
5. Forums/Activities: 10%
audiences,
! Learn how to run a usability test and research users,
! Learn to work, write, and present collaboratively. Email Policy

I will check and respond to emails

Attendance, Participation, Late Work once a day at 1PM. You can expect
Attendance is vital to your ability to understand course material. Each feedback around that time. So,
unexcused absence after two will result in the lowering of your assignment please do not worry if you don’t
grade by a full letter grade for that unit. Six total absences, excused or receive a response quickly if you
unexcused, will automatically result in failing the course. There will be an send an email at 5pm—I will respond
attendance sheet passed around each day of class. It is your responsibility to the next day at noon.
sign it each day.
Absences for reasons other than Provost-approved activities will be reflected
in your grade. Please see me immediately if you foresee unavoidable Other Expectations
absences or need to discuss accommodations.
Peer Review: The first 4 assignments
Homework: You will be required to participate in ~2-4 in-class activities and
online homework forums a week that are worth 10% of your course have a peer review element. If you
grade—all of them will be submitted and graded on Canvas. If you are don’t submit a draft for peer review,
doing group work, it is your responsibility to make sure your name appears you’ll receive 2% off your final grade
on the group submission. You cannot make up in-class activities you were for that assignment. If you don’t
absent for. show up on the peer review day to
Late Submissions of a final assignment will result in a 5% deduction per day. comment on your peers’ work, you’ll
Changes in the Syllabus: As the course develops, it might be receive another 2% off your final
desirable/necessary to make appropriate changes to aspects of this syllabus. I
grade on the assignment.
reserve the right to make changes if desirable or necessary.

Technical Writing 1
Introduction
M 8.20 Intro to Class

W 8.22 What is the Work of Technical Writers?

1. “A School of Visual Arts Grad Remakes the Pill Bottle”
2. Listen to the following: “http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/08/14/340351393/when-
patients-read-what-their-doctors-write”
3. “The University of Maryland just released a report on its incredibly irresponsible chocolate milk
research”
4. “Italian Scientists Sentenced to 6 Years for Earthquake Statements - Scientific American.” Follow
up on your own. What happened in the end? Why?

Unit 1: Application Packet

M 8.27 Job Search, Analyzing Job Ads, and Professional Email
1. KolinGetAJob.pdf
2. Emails 1: How to Email - The Atlantic - The Atlantic.pdf
3. Emails 2: New Series: The Art of the Email
4. Emails 3: https://www.sitepoint.com/how-to-streamline-email/

W 8.29 Resumes
1. “Obtaining a Job.” Paul Anderson: Chapter 2: Read 22-45 (beginning to cover letter)
2. https://www.fastcompany.com/3052371/a-former-google-recruiter-reveals-the-biggest-resume-
mistakes
3. Student examples that I commented on
4. Student Examples for you to Grade.

M 9.3 No Class Labor Day

W 9.5 Cover Letters

1. “Writing Your Job Application Letter.” Anderson: 46-58 (cover letter onward)
2. Student Examples: with my comments
3. Student Examples for you to grade.

M 9.10 Job Interviews

1. KolinInterviewing.pdf
2. https://www.levo.com/posts/12-tips-to-get-hired-as-a-recent-graduate
3. https://www.aol.com/article/2011/08/19/3-crucial-career-fair-tips-for-college-students/20021243/
4. http://www.resumeok.com/49-job-interview-questions-and-answers/
5. https://www.levo.com/posts/5-things-you-must-do-to-follow-up-after-an-interview

W 9.12 [DUE]: Peer Review. Draft of 1 resume and 1 cover letter

Unit 2: Instruction Set

M 9.17 Introduction to Instruction Sets
“Reader-Centered Instructions.” Anderson: Chapter 27
In Class: Lego Group instruction creation; comparing types of instructions
Introduce Assignment 2
[DUE]: Assignment 1

Technical Writing 2
W 9.19 Introduction to Instructions Culture
1. Maker Culture
2. Makerspaces and Morality - The Atlantic.pdf
3. Student Example 1

M 9.24 Introduction to User-Centered Design

1. User persona
2. The Design of Everyday Things
3. Start to fill out this user-persona template, which is required for the instruction assignment.

W 9.26 Designing Instructions

1. Visual Hierarchy 1: http://gibbon.co/c/e14983c1-54fd-4945-9c3e-c433074da086/on-visual-
hierarchy
2. Visual Hierarchy 2
3. Illustrations in Technical Writing:
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Professional_and_Technical_Writing/Design/Illustrations

M 10.1 Evaluating Instruction Sets

What are the Pros and Cons of Each of these instruction sets
1. Dummies: http://www.dummies.com/personal-finance/how-to-change-your-cars-oil/
2. Pennzoil: http://www.pennzoil.com/en_us/education/know-your-oil/changing-your-own-
oil.html#iframe=L3NvcHVzL3Blbm56b2lsLzIwMTZuZXdzbGV0dGVyLz9sb2NhbGU9ZW5fdXM=
3. Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/id/OilChange/?ALLSTEPS
4. Wikihow: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car
5. Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/how-to-change-your-cars-oil-1598482301

W 10.3 [DUE]: Peer Review. Draft Due

Unit 3: Grant Unit

M 10.8 Discovering and Describing Problems: Statements of Need
1. Grant Writing Made Easy Workbook: Statement of Need (pp. 1-19)
2. Statement of Need Professional Example
3. Statement of Need Student Example
[DUE]: Assignment 2
W 10.10 Researching Problems: Pre-Existing Solutions
1. Continue to read and fill out pp. 1-19 of your workbook. Read through all the sources I've
provided on your topic at: Grant Research Materials
2. Research Professional Example
3. Research Student Example

M 10.15 Describing Solutions

1. Grant Writing Made Easy Workbook (see download from Monday): Proposals pp. 20-41
2. Research Professional Example
3. Research Student Example
4. Professional Proposal 2

W 10.17 Goals and Objectives, Evaluations and Deliverables

1. Grant Writing Made Easy Workbook: pp.42-45, 61-63
2. Professional Example
3. Statement of Need Student Example
4. Logic Model Example 1

M 10.22 Executive Summary, Timeline, and Budget

1. Grant Writing Made Easy Workbook: pp. 52-60

Technical Writing 3
 2. Professional Example
3. Student Example

W 10.24 Understanding Feasibility

Reading TBA

M 10.29 [DUE]: Peer Review

Unit 4: Usability Test

W 10.31 Evaluating Web Design
1. http://mashable.com/2011/04/10/5-web-design-mistakes/#IKyF2IIiLuqp
2. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/9-common-usability-blunders/
3. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/10/15-common-mistakes-in-e-commerce-design-
and-how-to-avoid-them/
4. Rocket Surgery. Steve Krug: 13-37.

M 11.5 Introduction to Usability Testing

1. Rocket Surgery. Steve Krug: 39-50, 102-110
2. “The Art of Guerrilla Usability Testing”
[DUE]: Assignment 3
W 11.7 Evaluating Usability Proposals
1. Student Example 1
2. Student Example 2
3. “Chapter 9: Design Briefs”

M 11.12 Introduction to Creating Usability Test Scenarios and Methods

1. Rocket Surgery. Steve Krug: 50-90.
2. IDEO Methods Cards
3. “Turn User Goals into Task Scenarios for Usability Testing”
4. “A step by step guide to scenario mapping”

W 11.14 Writing a Usability Plan

1. “Chapter 11: Usability Plans”
2. Rocket Surgery. Krug: 63-89 and 147-153;
3. Student Example 1
4. Student Example 2
[DUE]: Assignment 4.1
M 11.19 Studio Time
W 11.21 Thanksgiving Break

M 11.26 Writing Lab Reports

1. “Introduction to Scientific Reports”
2. Student Example 1
3. Student Example 2
[DUE]: Assignment 4.2
W 11.28 Run Your Usability Test in Class
M 12.3 Studio Time
1. “Chapter 12: Usability Reports”

W 12.5 [DUE]: Peer Review

Final Report Due During Exams Period: December 10

Technical Writing 4
Additional Support for Learning: Writing Center
The Writing Center (WC) is an excellent and free resource, both for this class and other classes you may be enrolled in. The WC is
staffed with trained consultants who will meet with you one-with-one to discuss and respond to your writing. Writing Center
consultants are your peers, and they can help you with any stage of your writing, from developing a draft to editing. You can stop
by or call to make an appointment. WC hours are Monday–Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. and Friday 9:00 to 2:00. The
location in Cate is open from 4:00 to 8:00 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and the Sarkey location is open Fridays from 1:00 to
4:00. You can also submit drafts to a writing consultant for electronic feedback (the link is on the Writing Center homepage:
write.ou.edu).

University Policies

Academic Integrity
Integrity in all aspects of scholarship is essential to the University’s mission. The Academic Misconduct Code sets forth the rights
and responsibilities of all students on the Norman Campus regarding academic integrity, and provides the procedures to be
followed in cases of suspected misconduct. Academic misconduct is defined as any act, which improperly affects the evaluation of
a student’s academic performance or achievement. It specifically includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, fraud, destruction of
property, and bribery or intimidation, as well as assisting others or attempting to engage in such acts.

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies and procedures concerning academic misconduct;
and unfamiliarity with the code alters none of a student’s rights or responsibilities there under. The Academic Misconduct Code is
printed with the Student Code and is also available on the Internet at http://www.ou.edu/provost/integrity/.

Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule
examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.

Accessibility Statement
The Disability Resource Center provides reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You may contact
that DRC for assistance at (405) 325-3852 or TDD: (405) 325-4173. For more information please see the Disability Resource
Center website http://www.ou.edu/drc/home.html.
I invite you to meet with me if you would benefit from instructional or curricular accommodations for any reason (including
learning needs, ADHD, depression, health condition, etc.) or if you believe other life circumstances may affect your participation in
the course. The sooner we discuss your situation the earlier we can make appropriate adjustments or arrangements to meet your
needs.

Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking,
the University offers a variety of resources. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at
405/325-2215 (8 to 5, M-F) or smo@ou.edu. Incidents can also be reported confidentially to OU Advocates at 405/615-0013
(phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report
instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office. Inquiries regarding non-
discrimination policies may be directed to: Bobby J. Mason, University Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at
405/325-3546 or bjm@ou.edu. For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/eoo.html.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-
related issues, please contact your professor or the Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 as soon as possible. Also, see
http://www.ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions.

Technical Writing 5