Table of Contents
Course Information
Technical Writing
ENG2575, OL88
Fully Online
Meets Online Asynchronously
Contact and Office Hours
Professor Ellis
Virtual Office Hours: Wednesday 3:00-5:00pm on Google Hangouts or by appointment.
Email: jellis@citytech.cuny.edu
Blog: https://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
ENG2575 Course Learning Outcomes
Required Texts
• David McMurrey, Online Technical Writing, https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/
• Purdue OWL, Professional and Technical Writing, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/index.html
• Purdue OWL, APA Style, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
• 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 https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu and other designated web sites.
• Cloud-based storage for saving a backup of all your work.
• Google Drive/Gmail account for collaborative writing.
Grade Distribution
Individual: Weekly Writing Assignments, 15%
Each week, students will have different reading and writing-based assignments focused on different technical communication concepts and approaches. Additionally, these assignments help develop their reading and writing acumen.
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. 3. an awareness of audience. The summary should cite the article and any quotes following APA format.
Individual: 750-1000-Word Expanded Definition, 15%
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. 2. 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, 20%
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. 2. 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.
Collaborative: 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.
Collaborative: Seven-to-Ten-Minute Oral Analytical Research Report on a Scientific or Technological Problem, 10%
The goal of this part of the project is to transform your written report into an spoken presentation anchored by a PowerPoint or other visual presentation supplement. 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.
Collaborative: Website Advertising a Product or Service Responding to the Analytical Research Report and Oral Presentation, 10%
The goal of this part of the collaborative project is to imagine a service or product that your team can offer that is related to your research report and oral presentation, both of which will be featured on the website in some way. The website should demonstrate: 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.
Individual: 250-500-Word Reflection on Collaboration, 5%
At the end of the collaborative project, each student will have an opportunity to submit their own 250-500-word Reflection on Collaboration directly to Prof. Ellis via email. This document should include a discussion of challenges faced and overcome (or not) by the team, their contribution to the project, and the contribution of their teammates to the project. The instructor will consider these documents when assigning grades on the collaborative project.
Policy for Late Work
Due dates for weekly assignments and major projects are provided on the schedule below. Assignments submitted late will incur point reductions. However, students should always follow my advice to submit something rather than nothing. The last day that any assignment may be submitted is the last day of class as indicated on the schedule below. If a student knows that work cannot be completed on time, he or she should contact me or visit my office hours to discuss options for getting caught up and completing the class successfully.
Attendance Policy
In general, 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. Since this is an online, asynchronous class, attendance is recorded based on weekly participation by completing the weekly writing assignment discussed in lecture and posted to our OpenLab site. 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.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html. 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.
Accessibility Statement
City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility at 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718 260 5143 or 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 Academic Catalog here.
Tentative Schedule
Because the class meets asynchronously, we will not have a set meeting time for class. Instead, the class lectures and assignments are set according to a weekly schedule on Wednesdays. Below, each class describes what will be covered in the video lecture posted to our OpenLab site on that day, what reading or viewing should be done by the next week (Wednesday), and what assignments are due by the next week (Wednesday). It’s important for each student to look at the schedule carefully and plan ahead to stay on track with readings and assignments.
Week 1, Wednesday, Feb. 3
Lecture this week: Introduce Technical Writing, discuss successful asynchronous class study habits, and introduce 500-Word Summary.
Read by next week: “What is Technical Communication?”, http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/5547/5681092/pdfs/CH01.pdf, 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, and “How to Summarize a Research Article,” https://writingcenter.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/593/2014/06/How_to_Summarize_a_Research_Article1.pdf.
Due by next week: Send an introductory email to Prof. Ellis (jellis@citytech.cuny.edu) that includes your major, your career goals, and the days and times that you are available to work with others on projects in the class, and find an appropriate article through the library’s databases for the 500-word Summary assignment.
Week 2, Wednesday, Feb. 10
Lecture this week: Continue 500-Word Summary.
Assign teams based for peer review and collaborative projects.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and draft of your 500-Word Summary.
Week 3, Wednesday, Feb. 17
Lecture this week: Continue 500-Word Summary and introduce 750-Word Expanded Definition.
Read by next week: “Definition,” https://www.westerntc.edu/sites/default/files/student-life/documents/OWC/Definition.pdf
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and Peer Review feedback on your team’s 500-Word Summary drafts.
Week 4, Wednesday, Feb. 24
Lecture this week: Conclude 500-Word Summary and continue 750-Word Expanded Definition.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, post final draft of 500-Word Summary to OpenLab, and begin writing a draft of your Expanded Definition. circulate draft of your 750-Word Expanded Definition with your team.
Week 5, Wednesday, Mar. 3
Lecture this week: Conclude 750-Word Expanded Definition.
Read by next week: “Instructions” and “Standard operational policies and procedures” linked from David McMurrey’s Online Technical Writing: https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, and complete draft of your Expanded Definition post your 750-Word Expanded Definition to OpenLab.
Week 6, Wednesday, Mar. 10
Lecture this week: Introduce 1500-2000-Word Instructional Manual or Training Manual.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, conduct Peer Review your Expanded Definition draft with team, and begin drafting Instruction Manual.
Week 7, Wednesday, Mar. 17
Lecture this week: Continue 1500-2000-Word Instructional Manual or Training Manual.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, post Expanded Definition to OpenLab, and continue drafting Instruction Manual.
Week 8, Wednesday, Mar. 24
Lecture this week: Continue 1500-2000-Word Instructional Manual or Training Manual.
Read by next week: “The Basics of Working on Teams,” https://hr.mit.edu/learning-topics/teams/articles/basics, and Steven D. Krause’s “How to Collaborate and Write with Others,” http://www.stevendkrause.com/tprw/Chapter%204.pdf
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, and continue drafting Instruction Manual. circulate 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual draft for peer review.
*Spring Recess*
Week 9, Wednesday, Apr. 7
Lecture this week: Introduce Collaboration Projects (Research Report, Website, Oral Presentations, and Report on Collaboration).
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, and circulate Instruction Manual draft for peer review. and post 1500-2000-Word Instruction or Training Manual to OpenLab.
Week 10, Wednesday, Apr. 14
Lecture this week: Continue Collaboration Projects.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab, email Collaborative Project prospectus to Prof. Ellis, and post Instruction Manual to OpenLab.
Week 12, Wednesday, Apr. 28
Lecture this week: Continue Collaboration Projects.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and email Collaborative Project progress update to Prof. Ellis (entire project due by May 19, and late work accepted until May 25).
Week 13, Wednesday, May 5
Lecture this week: Continue Collaboration Projects.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and email Collaborative Project progress update to Prof. Ellis (entire project due by May 19, and late work accepted until May 25).
Week 14, Wednesday, May 12
Lecture this week: Continue Collaboration Projects.
Due by next week: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and create a post on our OpenLab Course Site that links to your team’s Project Site that includes a link to your research report, and embedded video to your presentation. Separately, each team member needs to email Prof. Ellis a 250-500-word reflection on the project, their contributions, and the contributions of their teammates.
Week 15, Wednesday, May 19
Lecture this week: Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead.
Due by today: Weekly Writing Assignment posted to OpenLab and create a post on our OpenLab Course Site that links to your team’s Project Site that includes a link to your research report, and embedded video to your presentation. Separately, each team member needs to email Prof. Ellis a 250-500-word reflection on the project, their contributions, and the contributions of their teammates.
