English

 
  305   Autumn  2010  

Technical  Writing  

Office  Hours:   Class  Meetings:   Contact  Info:  

Tuesday     12:00p-­‐1:30p   Tuesday  &  Thursday     Email:    gcritel@gmail.com  
  2:48p-­‐3:30p   1:30p-­‐2:48p   or  critel.1@osu.edu  
Thursday    2:48p-­‐3:30p      
Denney  419   Denney  307   Phone  (cell):  
By  appt  via  Google  Chat   (Mac  lab)   (580)  399-­‐5796  

Course  Description:  
The  objective  of  this  course  is  the  study  of  principles  and  practices  of  technical  writing.  Emphasis  on  
the  style,  organization,  and  conventions  of  technical  and  research  reports,  proposals,  memoranda,  
professional  correspondence,  etc.  2  1.5-­‐hr  cl.  Prerequisite:  110  or  111  or  equivalent.  

English  305  is  designed  with  the  following   We  will  examine  the  variables  at  work  in  all  
groups  of  students  in  mind:  science  and   writing/design  tasks—audience,  purpose,  
engineering  majors  preparing  for  technology-­‐ genre,  media,  context—and  discuss  how  
focused  careers,  humanities  majors  interested   managing  these  variables  effectively  
in  exploring  career  options  in  technical   contributes  to  written  messages  with  an  
communication,  and  students  of  any  major   appropriate  format,  tone,  and  level  of  detail.    
who  want  to  enhance  their  marketability  by   Secondary  objectives  include  learning  how  to  
learning  about  workplace  writing.    This  diverse   respond  effectively  to  documents  produced  
student  body  allows  for  productive  dialogue   by  peers,  collaborating  with  others  to  produce  
amongst  students  with  divergent  backgrounds   effective  documents,  and  practicing  delivery  
and  interests   of  effective  oral  presentations.  

1  
 
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

From  “How  to  Use  an  Apostrophe”:  http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe    

What  is  Technical  Communication?   You  will  submit  some  work  in  hard  copy  and  some  work  
Technical  communication  is  the  transmission  of  complex   through  Carmen  dropbox.    The  daily  schedule  indicates  how  I  
information  from  one  party  to  another.  Technical   would  like  each  assignment.  Please  note:    a  malfunction  in  
communicators  create  documents  that  explain  ideas  and   the  Carmen  system  is  not  an  excuse  for  not  turning  in  an  
present  arguments  for  both  specialist  and  non-­‐specialist   assignment  or  turning  it  in  late.  When  in  doubt,  email  the  
readers.  Technical  communication  encompasses  a   assignment  to  me  in  addition  to  posting  it  to  Carmen.  
variety  of  written  genres  including  memos,  letters,    
manuals,  proposals,  policies,  procedures,   Email:  You  must  check  your  OSU  email  regularly.    My  
documentation,  and  work  logs.  Technical   communication  with  you  will  come  via  email  when  we’re  not  
communication  also  includes  spoken  forms  of   in  class.    Please  check  your  email  at  least  once  each  business  
communication:  speeches,  briefings,  consultations,   day.      
knowledge-­‐transfer  sessions,  etc.  The  scope  of  technical    
communication  as  a  field  continues  to  widen  as   Classroom  computers:  Our  class  will  take  place  in  a  computer  
technology  changes  the  way  we  communicate.  Email,   lab.  You  are  expected  to  use  its  resources  responsibly.  Do  not  
online  help  systems,  websites,  documentation   use  the  computers  in  any  way  that  violates  the  university’s  
databases,  object-­‐oriented  documentation,  and  other   computer-­‐  use  policies.  Do  not  check  your  personal  email,  
technology-­‐driven  genres  have  provided  and  continue  to   send  instant  messages,  surf  the  web,  or  login  to  your  social-­‐
provide  resources  and  challenges  for  technical   networking  page  unless  a  class  activity  requires  you  to  do  so.    
communicators.  

What  do  you  need  to  know  about  science,  technology,  

and  writing?    
You  do  not  need  an  extensive  background  in  science,   Required  Materials:  
technology,  or  writing  to  do  well  in  this  course.  
You  do  need  to  be  willing  to  read  and  think  and  write   Gurak,  Laura  J.  and  John  M.  Lannon.    
about  technical  information.   Strategies  for  Technical  Communication  in  
Which  technology  resources  will  you  use?  How  should   the  Workplace.    Boston:    Pearson/  
you  use  them?   Longman,  2010.  
   
Courseware:  I  have  set  up  a  Carmen  space  for  this  class.  
I  will  use  this  space  to  post  readings,  slides,  notes,  and   Recommended:    A  flash  drive,  
other  material.  The  Carmen  site  will  also  host  the  course   dropbox.com  account,  or  other  method  
schedule.  You  should  log  into  Carmen  at  least  every  two   for  managing  files  across  locations  
days  to  stay  current  on  the  course.  
 

2  
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

From  “How  to  Use  a  Semicolon”:  

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon    

Sed  a  magna  quis  nulla  porta  iaculis.  

Ut  imperdiet  tristique  nunc.  

Course  Assignments:  
Résumé  and  Application  Letter  For  Position  in  Your  Field   10%  
You  will  locate  a  job  announcement  for  a  position  you  would  
like  to  apply  for  now  or  when  you  graduate  and  develop  an  
appropriate  application  letter  and  resume  for  the  position.  
Formal  Proposal  (Solicited  or  Unsolicited)   30%  
You  will  develop  a  formal  proposal  on  an  issue  of  your  
choosing  and  prepare  to  pitch  your  proposal  in  an  oral  
presentation.  
Oral  Presentation   15%  
You  will  do  a  formal  presentation  based  on  your  formal  
proposal.    The  oral  presentations  will  be  taped  and  you  will  
meet  with  your  instructor  to  discussion  your  presentation.  
Technical  Analysis  of  Website  &  Letter  to  Web  Designer   10%  
You  will  select  a  website  from  a  preapproved  list  and  do  an  
analysis  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  website.    You  will  develop  a  
letter  with  recommendations  to  send  to  the  web  designer.  
Online  Tutorial  &  Documentation  For  Free  or  Open-­‐Source  Application   30%  
In  a  group  of  3  or  4,  you  will  select  a  free  and/or  open  source  
software  program  and  develop  appropriate  documentation  
and  tutorials  for  a  specific  audience.  
Participation  &  Professionalism   5%  
You  will  attend  class  prepared  to  contribute  to  the  activities  of  
the  day,  having  reviewed  the  daily  schedule.  

3  
 
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

Course  Policies  
Student  Work:      
Please  follow  the  daily  schedule  closely  and  turn  in  all  drafts  to  the  proper  location.    All  work  is  due  by  the  beginning  of  
class,  unless  otherwise  noted.    I  do  not  accept  late  work  unless  you  have  an  excused  absence  and  we've  discussed  it  in  
writing  prior  to  the  deadline.    Technology  issues  are  not  an  excuse  for  late  work.    Plan  ahead  and  anticipate  that  you  will  
have  technology  issues  arise  during  the  course  of  the  quarter.    Give  yourself  enough  time  to  solve  them.  

Most  of  the  work  of  the  course  will  happen  outside  the  classroom.    My  expectation  is  that  you  will  spend  1-­‐2  hours  per  
credit  hour  per  week  on  this  course.    That  equals  about  1.5-­‐3  hours  of  homework  for  each  class  period  we  meet.    I  have  
carefully  planned  your  homework  assignments  to  anticipate  this;  I  recommend  you  carefully  budget  your  time  likewise.  

Collaborative  Work:    
On  collaborative  assignments,  all  students  will  receive  the  same  grade  as  their  group  members.    Your  grade  for  
collaborative  assignments  is  based  on  the  product  that  you  and  your  classmates  produce.    If  it  is  clear  a  member  fails  to  
contribute  to  the  project,  that  member  will  earn  a  0.    There  is  one  major  collaborative  assignment  this  quarter,  the  
online  tutorial  and  documentation  for  a  free  and/or  open-­‐source  application.    This  assignment  is  worth  30%  of  your  
grade.  

Plagiarism:      
is  the  unauthorized  use  of  the  words  or  ideas  of  another  person.  It  is  a  serious  academic  offense  that  can  result  in  
referral  to  the  Committee  on  Academic  Misconduct  and  failure  for  the  course.  Please  remember  that  at  no  point  during  
the  writing  process  should  the  work  of  others  be  presented  as  your  own.    "It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Committee  on  
Academic  Misconduct  to  investigate  or  establish  procedures  for  the  investigation  of  all  reported  cases  of  student  
academic  misconduct.  The  term  "academic  misconduct"  includes  all  forms  of  student  academic  misconduct  wherever  
committed;  illustrated  by,  but  not  limited  to,  cases  of  plagiarism  and  dishonest  practices  in  connection  with  
examinations.  Instructors  shall  report  all  instances  of  alleged  academic  misconduct  to  the  committee  (Faculty  Rule  
3335-­‐5-­‐487).  For  additional  information,  see  the  Code  of  Student  Conduct."  

Class  Cancellation  Policy:    

In  the  unlikely  event  of  class  cancellation,  I  will  contact  you  via  email  and  request  that  a  note  on  department  letterhead  
be  placed  on  the  door.      Please  check  your  email  as  soon  as  possible,  as  I  will  provide  further  instructions  there.    Do  note  
that  I  commute  from  Cincinnati;  while  I  don’t  anticipate  any  weather  issues  for  most  the  quarter,  it  can  get  snowy  and  
icy  late  in  quarter.    If  the  weather  is  particularly  bad,  I  recommend  checking  your  email  before  heading  to  campus  even  
if  OSU  has  not  cancelled  classes.  

Attendance  
You  are  allowed  TWO  unexcused  absences.    Each  additional  unexcused  absence  will  result  in  your  final  course  
grade  being  dropped  one  letter  grade  (from  a  B  to  a  C,  for  example);  after  five  unexcused  absences  you  will  
automatically  earn  an  E  for  the  course.  

Excused  absences,  such  as  those  for  documented  illness,  family  tragedy,  religious  observance,  or  travel  for  inter-­‐
collegiate  athletics,  will  not  affect  your  grade;  please  notify  the  instructor  and  provide  documentation  before  the  
absence  or  the  first  time  you  return  to  class  after  being  absent.    It  is  your  responsibility  to  contact  group  members  
and  let  them  know  of  your  absence  and  to  find  out  what  you've  missed  from  your  classmates.  

4  
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

Daily  Schedule  
Week  1   Week  3  
Thursday,  September  23,  2010   Tuesday,  October  5,  2010  
In  Class:   Due:  
• Syllabus   • Final  draft  of  résumé  and  application  letter  
• Introduction  to  Technical  Communication   due  to  Carmen  Dropbox  before  class.    Please  
(Lecture  over  Ch.  1)   revise  using  peer  review  feedback  and  the  
o What  we  won’t  be  covering  in  Tech   checklists  on  p.  177-­‐8.  
Comm  and  where  you  can  find  it   • Read  Ch.  17  (p.  336-­‐358)  
• Getting  to  know  each  other:    Ch.  1  Team   o Let’s  Get  Started  is  optional  (p.  337)  
Application  (p.  18):    complete  a  &  b  in  class   o Review  General  Application  #3,  p.  
  358  
In  Class:  
Week  2   • Discuss  Formal  Proposal  Assignment  
Tuesday,  September  28,  2010   • Group  review  of  sample  proposals  and  
Due:   discussion  (proposals  on  Carmen  Content)  
• Review  Ch.  1  (p.  2-­‐17)    
• Getting  to  know  each  other:    Ch.  1  Team   Thursday,  October  7,  2010  
Application  (p.  18):  complete  c  &  d  at  home   Due:  
• Read  Ch.  9  (p.  157-­‐177):       • Identify  a  possible  topic  for  your  proposal.    
o Let’s  Get  Started  is  optional  (p.  157)   You  need  not  stick  with  it,  but  you  can’t  go  
o Please  jot  down  your  assets  (p.  158)   through  Ch.  4  w/out  a  topic.  
• Locate  a  position  announcement  for  a  job  you   • Read  Ch.  4  (p.  61-­‐74)  
would  like  to  apply  for  now  or  when  you   o Complete  the  Audience  and  purpose  
graduate.    Bring  a  copy  to  class.   profile  sheet  (Figure  4.1,  p.  63)  either  
In  Class:   typed  or  handwritten  on  a  separate  
• Getting  to  know  each  other:    Ch.  1  Team   piece  of  paper  
Application  (p.  18):  complete  e  &  f  in  class   o Complete  a  task  analysis  for  a  goal  
• Scanning  position  announcements  and   like  Figure  4.5,  p.  70.  
tailoring  résumés  and  application  letters   In  Class:  
• Webfolio  options  (lecture)   • Discuss  proposal  topics,  audiences,  purposes,  
  and  task  analyses  
Thursday,  September  30,  2010   • Draft  information  plan  with  instructor  as  
Due:   intended  audience  
• Draft  of  résumé  and  application  letter  due.      
st
Create  one  file,  three  pages:    1  page  should    
nd
be  the  job  announcement,  2  page  should  be    
rd
the  application  letter,  3  page  should  be  the    
résumé.    Post  as  an  attachment  to  a    
discussion  board  message  before  class.    
In  Class:    
• Visit  from  Allison  Plunkett,  Career  Connection    
(tent.)    
• Full  class  review  of  General  Application  #4,  p.    
179    
• Peer  review  of  application  letters  and    
résumés  

5  
 
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

Daily  Schedule  
Week  4   • Discuss  options  for  visual  element  of  your  
presentation:    PowerPoint,  Prezi  
Tuesday,  October  12,  2010   • Draft  an  audience  and  purpose  assignment  
Due:   sheet  for  oral  presentation  (p.  406)  
• Read  Ch.  3  (p.  41-­‐57)    
• Recommended:    Schedule  a  meeting  with  me   Thursday,  October  21,  2010  
for  this  week  to  discuss  your  topic  and   Due:  
research  strategy.    If  you  are  not  available   • Read  Ch.  6  (p.  98-­‐112)  
during  my  office  hours,  we  can  schedule  for  a   o Complete  the  14  exercises  in  this  
different  time  and  day.   chapter  as  needed.    You  should  be  
In  Class:   prepared  to  explain  any  of  the  
• Identify  appropriate  primary  sources  for   strategies  for  writing  clearly  to  a  
sample  topics   peer  if  called  upon  
• Review  secondary  source  research  options  at   • Revise  draft  with  feedback  from  Tuesday  and  
OSU   bring  and  electronic  copy  of  your  revised  
• Identify  someone  to  interview  or  a  group  to   draft.  
survey  about  your  topic  and  draft  a  list  of   In  Class:  
appropriate  questions   • Discuss  strategies  for  clarity  
• Peer  review  question  lists   • Revise  problem  statement  and  proposed  plan  
  for  clarity.  
Thursday,  October  14,  2010   • Peer  review  drafts  
Due:    
• Read  Ch.  5  (p.  78-­‐95)    
• Draft  your  introduction/problem  statement  
for  your  proposal  and  bring  an  electronic  copy   Week  6  
to  class   Tuesday,  October  26,  2010  
In  Class:   Due:  
• Discuss  paragraphing,  headings,  and  providing   • Review  Ch.  8  (p.  138-­‐152)  on  Document  
an  effective  overview   Design  and  follow  appropriate  principles  for  
• Revise  for  unity  and  coherence   your  proposal  
• Peer  review  drafts   • Everyone  will  be  ready  to  present  on  either  
  day  and  I  will  randomly  divide  the  class  in  
  two.  
Week  5   • Visual  aid  and  presentation  outline  due  to  
Dropbox  before  class  (for  both  days  of  
Tuesday,  October  19,  2010   presentation)  
Due:   • Remember  to  use  Checklist  for  Oral  
• Read  Ch.  21  (p.  403-­‐419)   Presentations  p.  419-­‐20  to  prepare  
• Rough  Draft  of  Formal  Proposal  Due:    You   In  Class:  
should  have  a  purpose/abstract,  a  problem   • Oral  Presentations  
statement/introduction,  a  solution/proposed    
plan,  a  cost  projection,  a  conclusion,  and  a    
reference  page.    Please  submit  your  full  draft    
electronically  to  the  Carmen  Discussion  Board    
and  bring  a  printed  copy  to  class.    
In  Class:    
• Do  Let’s  Get  Started  p.  404  

6  
English  
  305   Autumn  2010  

Daily  Schedule  
Thursday,  October  28,  2010   o Fill  out  a  project  planning  form  by  
Due:   the  end  of  class  and  divide  up  first  
• Final  Draft  of  Formal  Proposal  due  to  Carmen   steps  to  complete  over  the  next  
Dropbox  before  class   week  
• Remember  to  use  Checklist  for  Oral   • Complete  General  Application,  p.  271-­‐2,  in  
Presentations  p.  419-­‐20  to  prepare   class.    Be  prepared  to  share  with  the  class.  
In  Class:    
• Oral  Presentations   Thursday,  November  11,  2010  
  No  Classes—Veterans’  Day  Observed  
   

Week  7   Week  9  
Tuesday,  November  2,  2010   Tuesday,  November  16,  2010  
Due:   Due:  
• Read  Ch.  20  (p.  388-­‐400)   • Read  Ch.  19  p.  375-­‐385  
• Select  your  website  for  the  Technical  Analysis   o Focus  on  creating  a  video  since  you  
of  Website  and  Letter  to  Web  Designer   will  need  to  do  that  as  part  of  your  
In  Class:   Online  Tutorial  project.  
• Model  technical  analysis  of  websites   In  Class:  
• Develop  criteria  list  to  use   • Work  time  on  projects  
   
Thursday,  November  4,  2010   Thursday,  November  18,  2010  
Due:   Due:  
• Review  information  on  letter  writing  as   • Review  Chapters  11  (p.  211-­‐226)  and  12  (p.  
needed  (p.  191-­‐209)   228-­‐246)  and  be  prepared  to  incorporation  
• Draft  of  letter  due  to  Carmen  Discussion   definitions  and  descriptions  into  your  project  
Board   as  needed.  
In  Class:   In  Class:  
• Peer  review  letter  drafts   • Work  time  on  projects  
   
   

Week  8   Week  10  

Tuesday,  November  9,  2010   Tuesday,  November  23,  2010  
Due:   Due:  
• Final  draft  of  Letter  to  Web  Designer  due  to   • Rough  draft  of  Online  Tutorials  and  
Carmen  Dropbox   Documentation  due.    Your  group  should  be  
• Read  Ch.  2  (p.  20-­‐38)   prepared  for  a  full-­‐class  review  of  your  
o Focus  on  the  sections  on  teamwork,   project.  
but  review  the  rest  of  the  chapter   In  Class:  
• Read  Ch.  12  (p.  250-­‐270)   • Peer  review  of  projects  
o Pay  particular  attention  to  sections    
on  instructions   Thursday,  November  25,  2010  
In  Class:   No  Classes-­‐-­‐Thanksgiving  
• Building  teams  and  planning  Online    
Tutorial/Documentation  projects    

7  
 
  
English  305   Autumn  2010  
   
Daily  Schedule  
Week  11   Finals  
Tuesday,  November  30,  2010   This  course  will  not  meet  during  the  scheduled  final  
Due:   exam  time.  
• Revisions  from  Tuesday’s  peer  review  
In  Class:  
• Final  work  opportunity  on  projects  
 
Thursday,  December  2,  2010  
Due:  
• Final  draft  of  Online  Tutorial  and  
Documentation  
In  Class:  
• Share  projects  with  class  
• Course  evaluations  

Resources  
The Writing Center offers the
following free services:

• Help with any assignment

(ranging from lab reports to
dissertations) at any stage
of the writing process
(brainstorming, thesis
development, revising,
etc.)
• Face-to-face tutorials by
appointment at our main
location in 475 Mendenhall
Lab
• Online tutorials via the chat
function on Carmen
• Walk-in tutorials at our
From  “When  to  Use  i.e.  in  a  Sentence:  
satellite location at the http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie  
Science and Engineering
Library
• Online appointment scheduling, available 24/7
Please visit http://cstw.osu.edu or call 688-4291 to make an appointment.

The Office of Disability Services: "Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for
Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as
possible of their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil
Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; OSU Office for disability Services Web Site.”

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