Course Calendar: Formal notice will be given if any changes to the calendar need to be made.
All readings are in Professional Writing and Rhetoric unless identified as a .pdf.
8/26
Course Introduction
8/28
Introductions
9/2
Becoming a Professional Writer
Read “Transitional Stages in Professional Writing” (Anson and Forsberg, 388 – 410)
9/4
Read “Learning to Write in New Workplaces” (Wardle, .pdf)
9/9
The Relationship between Professional Writing and Rhetoric
Read “What Is Rhetoric?” (Covino and Jolliffe, .pdf)
9/11
Review “What Is Rhetoric?” (Covino and Jolliffe, .pdf)
9/16
Professional Writing as Organizationally Situated Action
Read “Understanding the Writing Context in Organizations” (Driskell, 105-121)
Due: Problem Statement
9/18
Review “Understanding the Writing Context in Organizations” (Driskell, 105-121)
9/23
Read “The Technical Communicator as Author” (Slack et al., 80-98)
9/25
Review “The Technical Communicator as Author” (Slack et al., 80-98)
9/30
Read “Strategies for Multiple-Audience Adaptation” (Spilka, 146-168)
10/2
Review “Strategies for Multiple-Audience Adaptation” (Spilka, 146-168)
10/7
Genre as Response to Recurring Situation
Read “Genre as Social Action” (Miller, .pdf)
Due: Context Analysis
10/9
Review “Genre as Social Act” (Miller, .pdf)
10/14 Read “Genre and the Enactment of First-Year Writing” (Bawarshi, .pdf)
10/16 Review “Genre and the Enactment of First-Year Writing” (Bawarshi, .pdf)
10/21 Read “Uptake and the Biomedical Subject” (Emmons, .pdf)
10/23 Review “Uptake and the Biomedical Subject” (Emmons, .pdf)
10/28 Professional Writing as Ethical Action
Read “The Ethic of Expediency” (Katz, 183-202)
Due: Genre Analysis
10/30 Review “The Ethic of Expediency” (Katz, 183-202)
11/4
Read “Framing Postmodern Commitment and Solidarity” (Porter, 202-217)
11/6
Review “Framing Postmodern Commitment and Solidarity” (Porter, 202-217)
11/11 Producing User-Centered Documents
Read “The Construction of User-Centered Computer Documentation” (Johnson, 287-317)
11/13 Review “The Construction of User-Centered Computer Documentation” (Johnson, 287-317)
11/18 Read “Testing Drafts for Usability and Persuasiveness” (Anderson, .pdf)
11/20 Review “Testing Drafts for Usability and Persuasiveness” (Anderson, .pdf)
11/25 Thanksgiving Break—No Class
11/27 Thanksgiving Break—No Class
12/2
Becoming a Professional Writer Reconsidered
Read “Transition from University to Workplace Writing” (Dias et al., 423-439)
Due: Usability Test Report
12/4
Review “Transition from University to Workplace Writing” (Dias et al., 423-439)
12/9
Read “Writing Review as Opportunity for Individuation” (Katz, 122-146)
12/11 Review ““Writing Review as Opportunity for Individuation” (Katz, 122-146)
Due: Professional Writing Project
12/18 Final Exam: 8:00-10:00 in Simpkins 027