Technical Writing, ENG2575 E270
Table of Contents
Course, Location, Office Hours, and Contact Info
ENG2575, E270
Tue. 6:00PM-8:30PM
G603
Professor Ellis
Office/Hours: Namm N520, Tue. 4:00PM-5:00PM or by appointment.
jellis@citytech.cuny.edu
http://dynamicsubspace.net
Course Description
Technical Writing is about managing complexity. It is about providing the right information, in the right way, for the right audience, at the right time. It is about communicating technical ideas using sound rhetorical choices and synergistic modalities (e.g., WOVEN, or written, oral, visual, electronic, and nonverbal) while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and ethics. In this class, you will have invaluable opportunities to learn the theory, skills, and heuristics of technical writing through projects relevant to your degree program, and you will develop a set of documents that you can include in your professional portfolio.
Learning Objectives and Prerequisites
The course learning outcomes for the class will be handed out on the first day of class, and it can be read online here.
Required Texts (All Available Online for Free)
- Laura Portwood-Stacer, “How to Email Your Professor (Without Being Annoying AF),” https://medium.com/@lportwoodstacer/how-to-email-your-professor-without-being-annoying-af-cf64ae0e4087#.1m6lc0rkd.
- “What is Technical Communication?”, http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/5547/5681092/pdfs/CH01.pdf.
- Frank O’Hara, “A Brief History of Technical Communication,” http://www.msubillings.edu/cotfaculty/fullon/_notes/History%20of%20Technical%20Communication%20(2).pdf.
- David McMurrey, Online Technical Writing, https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/.
- Purdue OWL, Professional and Technical Writing, https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/4/16/.
- Purdue OWL, APA Style, https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/.
- Other brief readings will be assigned as part of in-class assignments and exercises.
Required Resources
- Computer access, word processing software, and a means of saving your work securely.
- Access to your City Tech email.
- Access and accounts at openlab.citytech.cuny.edu and other designated web sites.
- Flash drive for saving your work and/or having scratch space for in-class project work (always bring this to class).
- Cloud-based storage for saving a backup of all your work.
- Google Drive/Gmail account for collaborative writing.
- Magazine articles for daily writing assignments (these can be purchased or found in any library).
Grade Distribution
- Individual: Daily Writing Assignments, 20%
At the beginning of class, students will be tasked with responding to a question or topic relating to technical communication. Students will have 15 minutes to write a response and some of these will be shared during discussion. - Individual: 500-Word Summary, 10%
Individually, you will write a 500-word summary of a technical or scientific article that demonstrates: 1. ability to identify key processes and concepts in a professional science or technology article. 2. ability to describe complex processes and concepts clearly and concisely. an awareness of audience. The summary should cite the article and any quotes following APA format. - Individual: 750-1000-Word Expanded Definition, 10%
Individually, you will write a 750-1000 word expanded definition of a technical or scientific term, with cover memo, which demonstrates: 1. correct memorandum format. knowledge of the etymology and historical development of the term. 3. examples of the term’s use in various written contexts. 4. ability to compare and contrast various uses of the term. 5. use and citation of sources with proper attribution. 6. awareness of audience. At least three library-sourced citations are required and should be cited following APA format. - Individual: 1500-2000-Word Instructional or Training Manual, 15%
Individually, you will write a 1500-2000-word instructional or training manual that demonstrates: 1. ability to explain a task/process in clear, concise language. selection and definition of appropriate terminology and concepts. 3. awareness of the intended user/audience. 4. knowledge of instructional manual format. All diagrams, illustrations, or photos must be created by the student and integrated into his or her manual. Any outside sources cited should be documented according to APA format. - Collaboration: 1000-1500-Word Contribution to a 4000-6000-Word Analytical Research Report, 15%
Each team member contributes 1000-1500-word contribution to a 4000-6000-word analytical research report on a scientific or technological problem that demonstrates: 1) knowledge of the history and context of the problem, 2) knowledge of the causes and nature of the problem, 3) ideas for solving the problem, 4) the ability to explain the problem and offer possible solutions to a general audience, 5) the ability to integrate written work with the written work of a partner or partners in a coherent report, and 6) knowledge of proper research report format. At least six library-sourced citations must be included (non-library-sourced citations are encouraged, but they do not count toward the six library-sourced sources). Any outside sources cited should be documented according to APA format. - Collaboration: Seven-to-Ten-Minute Oral Analytical Research Report on a Scientific or Technological Problem, 10%
As a team, adapt and present your analytical research report as an oral presentation that demonstrates: 1) knowledge of oral presentation techniques and conventions, 2) the ability to organize a presentation effectively, 3) the ability to incorporate various media into the presentation, including appropriate computer software, 4) awareness of audience, 5) the ability to communicate the value of the product or service in clear spoken English, 6) the ability to answer audience questions, 7) the ability to collaborate productively with a partner or partners, and 8) the ability to explain the problem and offer possible solutions to a general audience. - Collaboration: Website Advertising a Product or Service Responding to the Analytical Research Report and Oral Presentation, 10%
To support your team’s collaborative presentation, your team will create a web page advertising a product or service that demonstrates: 1) knowledge of the product or service offered, of pertinent market forces, and of the potential customer base, 2) basic knowledge of web page design and composition, including appropriate software. The website will be based on your presentation and it is encouraged to be integrated into your presentation (perhaps to demonstrate how your team is promoting your product or service). All graphics, logos, design, and text must be created by your team. - Collaboration: Report on Collaboration, 10%
Each team will write an informal report on their group’s progress with the oral product service proposal or oral analytical research report that demonstrates: 1) the division of labor among group members, 2) the adequate progress of each group member, 3) the group’s adequate cooperation, and 4) an awareness of a supervisory audience. It is each team’s responsibility to track your progress and keep notes that can be integrated into this report.
Policy for Late Work
Assignments submitted late or exams taken late will incur a 10-point reduction for each day that they are late. However, no assignments will be accepted after the last day of class. If a student knows that work cannot be completed on time, he or she should contact me or visit my office hours to discuss.
Revision Policy
Revising writing and other deliverables is an important part of the process of creating effective documents. While some time in class will be devoted to receiving peer review feedback to encourage revision before submission of your work, students are strongly encouraged to avail their friends and family to provide substantive feedback on their work so that it may be considered and incorporated into revisions prior to turning in an assignment on time. After an assignment is submitted for a grade, students have an opportunity to revise their work for a grade revision. To do this, the student must provide proof of feedback from one other person, a 250-word reflection that explains how the professor’s and the other reviewer’s feedback was incorporated into the revised work and how those changes strengthened the document, and digital copies of the original and revised work. Please note that no work is accepted after the last day of class, so any feedback beyond what is offered during class time on the final projects will need to be requested in advance by students during office hours or by email.
Attendance and Lateness Policy
The expectation for successful and respectful college students is to arrive on time and attend all classes. Following City Tech’s policy, attendance is recorded and reported for each class meeting. Attendance and class participation are essential and excessive absences may affect the final grade. Students who simply stop attending will receive a grade of “WU” (unofficial withdrawal – attended at least once).
Required Format for Papers
All formal writing and citations should follow APA guidelines (see the Purdue OWL APA section for more information: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/). Remember in your research paper that quoting is far more persuasive than paraphrasing, and in either case, your use of others ideas or writing must be properly cited to give credit where credit is due and to maintain your own academic integrity.
Student Accommodation Policy
Qualified students with disabilities, under applicable federal, state, and city laws, seeking reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments must contact the Center for Student Accessibility for information on City Tech’s policies and procedures to obtain such services. Students with questions on eligibility or the need for temporary disability services should also contact the center at: The Center for Student Accessibility, 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718-260-5143. http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility
College Policy on Academic Integrity
Students who work with information, ideas, and texts owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in CUNY and at New York City College of Technology, and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog.
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 27
Introduce the class and review the syllabus.
Introduce: 500-Word Summary
Daily Writing Assignment: Write a professional and informative email introducing yourself to the professor.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 500-Word Summary
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 500-Word Summary
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Due: 500-Word Summary due before class as a Word docx file attached to an email sent to professor on OpenLab as a Post added to our class site.
Introduce: 750-Word Expanded Definition
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 750-Word Expanded Definition
Tuesday, Oct. 1
No classes.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
No classes.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Due: 750-Word Expanded Definition due before class as a Word docx file attached to an email sent to professor.
Introduce: 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Due: 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual
Introduce 4000-6000-Word Analytical Research Report and Report on Collaboration.
Form teams and begin planning for collaborative projects.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 4000-6000-Word Analytical Research Report.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 4000-6000-Word Analytical Research Report.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Work on 4000-6000-Word Analytical Research Report.
Introduce Seven-to-Ten-Minute Oral Analytical Research Report on a Scientific or Technological Problem and Website Advertising a Product or Service Responding to the Analytical Research Report and Oral Presentation.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Studio time to work on collaborative projects.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Daily Writing Assignment: Read a magazine article relevant to your studies or career and bring it to class for a beginning of class writing assignment.
Studio time to work on collaborative projects.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Last day of class.
Complete and submit collaborative project deliverables during first half of class.
Team presentations delivered during second half of class (remember to come in business casual attire as a part of your professional presentations).
