OPTI 597B. Technical Writing and Communication
This class will review principles and procedures of technical communication; focus on analyzing
audiences and purpose of communication; practice organizing information and writing specialized
documents such as technical reports, funding proposals, journal publications, and
dissertations/theses.
Instructor: Dr. Allison Huff Mac Pherson, Room 501A Meinel Building, Phone 520-621-0174 (office).
Allison@optics.arizona.edu
Office Hours: Open door policy. May also schedule appointment.
Grading Criteria:
Regular attendance and participation in class discussions is required, and a superior execution of all
assignments is expected in order to earn an A for this course. At the graduate level, the grade of B
indicates substantive weaknesses in performance, and a grade of C is unacceptable. Class attendance
and class participation is evaluated based on the number and quality of your contributions to class
discussions; written assignments are evaluated based on the expectation of clear, thorough, and concise
prose and the absence of excessive jargon. The only discussion that will be considered class participation
are those that offer a scholarly perspective (i.e. “Great idea!” does NOT count as a class participation,
unless followed by a scholarly reason for why the idea is great). The assignment categories itemized
below indicate relative weight of each as a percent of the course grade: >89% earns an A; 80-89% a B,
and < 80% a C. There are no exams.
Weekly Discussion Posts/Class participation/Attendance: 40%
Written assignments: 40%
Final oral presentation: 20%
There will be a grammatical grading component on each assignment. The format of this class is on-line
and asynchronous. The expectation is that students will work collaboratively and learn from one another
by participating in weekly class discussions and providing peer review via “posts” on a weekly thread
regarding ideas and comments surrounding each topic presented by the instructor.
Required Text:
Market, M. (2012). Technical Communication (10th ed.). Mac Higher. ISBN 978-0312679484
Strunk, W. and White, E.B. (2000). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-0205313426
Recommended Text:
Fisher, E. (1999). Enjoy Writing Your Science Thesis or Dissertation. Imperial College Press. ISBN 9781860940903
Course Objectives:
To recognize and utilize correct rhetorical and stylistic elements necessary for successful scientific and
technical communication
To recognize the intended audience and present information in an appropriate manner for said
audience
To understand the genre and manipulate the structure of selected technical documents
To effectively and correctly convey (through written and oral media) the technical aspects of a practice
to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
To appreciate your professional and ethical obligations in your communications as prospective
practitioners in your chosen field
Topics (dates and module topics subject to change):
8/25
8/27
9/1
9/3
9/8
9/10
9/15 & 9/17
9/22, 9/24, & 9/29
10/1
10/6, & 10/8
10/13 & 10/15
10/20
10/22
10/27 & 10/29
11/3, 11/5, 11/10
11/12
11/17 & 11/19
11/24
11/24 & 11/26
12/1
12/3
12/8
12/10
Module 1: Introduction to Technical Communication and Class Overview
Module 2: Technical Communication Overview
No Class
Module 3: Style I: Grammar and punctuation
Module 4: Style II: Sentence structure and syntax
Module 5: Professional and ethical considerations
Modules 6-7: Analyze Your Audience
HOMEWORK: Write a persuasive letter to your assigned audience
Modules 8-10: Technical Documents
Guest Speaker : TBD
HOMEWORK: Write a memo to the your assigned audience explaining the effect
of miscommunication or incorrect information on Hubble Telescope Project
Modules 11-12: Scientific Writing
Modules 13-14: Abstract & Literature Review
HOMEWORK: Write an abstract on a relevant research project
HOMEWORK: Get your topic for oral presentation approved by Instructor
Guest Speaker - Amy Phillips – Technology Transfer
Module 15-16: Introduction & References
HOMEWORK: Put together an annotated bibliography of relevant references for
your research (or any research paper you are working on)
HOMEWORK: If you did not get your topic for oral presentation approved by me,
I will assign you one next class meeting.
TBD: Writing Equations and Using LaTeX
Modules 17-19: Results and Figures
HOMEWORK: Submit a document (preferably relevant to your research) with at
least 2 equations and 2 properly labeled figures (use proper headings where
needed)
Module 20: Putting it all together
HOMEWORK: Turn in a skeleton of either a paper for publication or your
thesis/dissertation (skeleton means proper sections should be present, but
data/information may be made-up for purposes of completing the assignment)
Module 21-22: Grant Proposals
Group Assignments – Critiquing Grant Proposals
Modules 23-24: Creating Oral Presentations
Module 25: Basics of a Power Point Presentation
HOMEWORK: Create a 15 minute presentation on agreed upon topic
Class Activity - Elevator Pitch
Fifteen Minute Oral Presentations
Fifteen Minute Oral Presentations
*Students must keep a journal. Journal entries will be twice a week, and can be about anything the
student wishes. However, all entries will be read by the instructor and will be graded for proper
grammar, sentence structure, and syntax.
**Students will present a final 15 minute oral presentation as the final exam for this class. Topic of
presenation must be approved prior to October 27th.
***It is highly recommended that students who are currently working on research use it as the basis
of their written and oral assignments in this class. For students who are not currently working on
research, it is recommended that they develop a topic at the beginning of the course and use that as
the basis of their written and oral assignments. This will improve the flow of assignments and assist in
“putting it all together.”
Academic Integrity
According to the Arizona Code of Academic Integrity, “Integrity is expected of every student in all
academic work. The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student’s submitted work must be
the student’s own.” Unless otherwise noted by the instructor, work for all assignments in this course
must be conducted independently by each student. Co-authored work of any kind is unacceptable.
Misappropriation of exams before or after they are given will be considered academics misconduct.
Misconduct of any kind will be prosecuted and may result in any or all of the following:
Reduction of grade
Failing grade
Referral to the Dean of Students for consideration of additional penalty, i.e., notation on a student’s
transcript re: academic integrity violation, etc.
Students with Learning Disabilities
If a student is registered with the Disability Resource Center, he/she must submit appropriate
documentation to the instructor if he/she is requesting reasonable accommodations.
The information contained in this syllabus may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice, as
deemed appropriate by the instructor.