Mary Connerty
Office Hours: MWF 2:30-3:30 pm and by appt.
Phone: 898-6067
Syllabus for:
Office: Kochel 144
Email: mcc12@psu.edu
Fall 2007
Technical Writing
ENGL 202C.001
MWF 8:00-8:50 am
ENGL 202C.002
MWF 9:05-9:55 am
143H Hammermill
143H Hammermill
Course Description:
English 202C is an intensive writing course designed to provide you with the opportunity
to learn and practice writing skills with a professional application. Students will study
the genres of technical and scientific communication and, through writing assignments,
class workshops, peer review sessions, and reading assignments, students will learn to
analyze audience, choose appropriate patterns of organization, use correct formats, and
supply appropriate visual aids. Students will practice writing a variety of documents such
as formal and informal reports, letters and resumes, proposals, instructions, descriptions,
and specifications. As in all writing, your effectiveness will be determined by the
accuracy, clarity, and preciseness of the result.
Required Texts and Materials:
Alred, Gerald J. et. al. Handbook of Technical Writing. (Seventh Edition). Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2002. ISBN: 0-312-43613-0
* Paradis, James & Muriel Zimmerman. (2002). The MIT Guide to Science and
Engineering Communication. (Second Edition). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. ISBN: 0262-66127-6
* Optional text
One sturdy folder of standard size (8 ½ x 11) for transporting and storing short-term
assignments.
Course Requirements and Policies:
Late Papers:
Because of the condensed time you will have to develop your skills, the intensive aspect
of this course must be stressed; you will be expected to produce daily writing both in and
out of class. Each day's work builds on the previous day's lessons; therefore daily
attendance, homework, and preparation are required to pass this course. Because each
assignment builds on the previous one, all work must be turned in on time - LATE
ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Eng 202C
Grading:
Most of your grade will be based on the body of work that you develop during the course.
Your active and full involvement in all aspects of this process is vital, however. As in the
work place, your attitude, preparation, timeliness, and cooperativeness will be part of
your final evaluation. Attendance in class is also part of this evaluation. In other words,
you must be in class to participate.
Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Participation
5%
(including attendance, individual, and group activities)
Writing Assignments
95%
(meaning all assignments completed and turned in on time)
Participation (5%)
Presenting quality work, being present, and meeting deadlines are important to me and to
your future employers: therefore my policies attempt to reinforce these behaviors. These
policies include the following considerations in determining a participation grade.
The Writing Assignments (95%)
The following is a list of assignments (including drafts) you will complete during the
course:
1. Correspondence/MISC.:
Several memos/letters/emails/etc.
15%
2. Abstracts/Summaries: 5%
3. Job Search Documents:
Resume /letter of application /follow-up letter/research. 20%
4. E-portfolio: 15%
Including progress report
5. Extended definition: 5%
6. Technical description or specification:. 5%
7. Group Project I: Instructions: 15%
8. Group Project II: Formal Proposal: 15%
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Eng 202C
Meaning of Grades
The following correspondence between grades and workplace standards will apply:
Grade
Workplace Standards
A
Manager would be impressed and
remember the work when a promotion is
discussed
B
Manager would be satisfied with the job,
but not impressed.
C
Manager would be disappointed and ask
you to revise or rewrite section before
allowing clients and others to see the work.
D
Manager would be troubled by the poor
quality of the work.
F
Manager would start looking for someone
to replace you.
Late Papers:
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is a non-negotiable policy,
so plan your time appropriately. Excuses do not interest me. If you are absent when
material is due to be turned in, you will receive a zero for that work.
Submitting Assignments
Assignments must be submitted ON TIME in hard copy to the instructor in a manila
folder labeled with your name. Supplemental documents as requested by instructor must
also be included. Assignments which are emailed will NOT be accepted by the instructor
unless prior arrangement has been made. In other words, do not take it upon yourself to
email assignments to the instructor and assume that those assignments are accepted.
Your instructor is not responsible for printing out your homework.
Paper Format
All written work must be done on a word processor, including draft material. Papers are
to be spaced appropriately for the type of paper it is (letters are single-spaced; formal
reports are usually double-spaced)
All written work must be submitted in an 8 ½ x 11’ folder with your name clearly
indicated on the tab. Folders of different size or with pockets are not acceptable.
Academic Integrity
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Eng 202C
Plagiarizing is a serious offense and will mean automatic failure for the course. For a
definition, see Student Handbook. You should read and be familiar with the University
Policy on academic integrity (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20); see
http://www.erie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm . Any violation of this policy
will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner.
Class Policies
Being on time for class is as important as being on time at the work place. Latecomers
interrupt class activities and miss important information.

If you must miss class, I expect a message on my voice mail BEFORE class.

If you miss class, you are responsible for finding out went happened in class and
what assignments are due. Do NOT email me and ask for a recap of the class
lecture/activities and assignments. You may stop by my office and ask me to
discuss it with you in person or you may contact your classmates for their class
notes.

Attendance Policy
o Class attendance is mandatory.
o I determine whether or not an absence is excused - not you, another student,
another faculty member, a coach, or anyone else. Work schedules, doctor’s
appointments, a meeting with another faculty member, test makeup, and more
do NOT qualify as excused absences.
o Any in-class written work (quizzes, writing assignments, etc.) that you missed
because you were absent may NOT be made up; therefore you will loose any
credit given for that assignment.
o Any written homework, tests, papers, etc. due on a particular day are due at
the beginning of the class period that day. Therefore, if you miss class that
day or are late, I must have your assignment in my hand by the beginning of
class, or it will not be accepted.
o If you arrive at class after class has started, you will be marked tardy. Two
tardy marks equal one absence.

Cell phones and beepers must be turned OFF before coming in to class.
This document is meant to be a plan, indicating the class policies and objectives. We will
try to follow the plan as closely as possible, making adjustments when necessary.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
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Eng 202C
(Subject to Revision)
Week 1: August 29-31
 Introduction to Technical Writing and to this class
 Considering rhetorical genres, communication and writing processes, and
ethical responsibilities
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 1-3, pgs. 3-40
 Assignment: Diagnostic Letter
Week 2: September 5-7
 Considering your audience, purpose, and source of information
 Correspondence
 Effective memos, letters, email
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 4-5, pgs. 41-60;Chp 10, pgs 137-150
 Assignment: Revise diagnostic letter; letters-correspondence exercises
Week 3: September 10-14
 Correspondence (cont’d)
 Effective memos, letters, email
 Assignment: Memo assignments
 Due: Letters
Week 4: September 17-21
 Research and Development: Library collection data, web sources,
avoiding plagiarism
 Abstracts/Summaries
 Class Meets in Library 107, Sept. 19 & 21
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 14, pgs 219-236; pg 224
 Assignment: Library worksheet, Abstract/Summary
 Due: Memos
Week 5: September 24-28
 Job Search documents – resumes, cover letters, follow-up letters
 Guest speaker from Career Development Center
 Reading
o Handbook
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Eng 202C


o MIT: Chp 8-9, pgs 101-136; Chp 18, pgs275-286
Assignment: Resume
Due: Library Worksheet, Abstract/Summary
Week 6: October 1-5
 Job Search (cont’d)
 Assignment: Cover letter and follow-up letter
 Due: Resume
 Due: Topic for formal report/proposal
Week 7: October 8-12
 Web Design, E-Portfolio
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 6-7, pgs 61-100; Chp 17, pgs 267-274
 Due: Cover Letter and Thank-You Letter
Week 8: October 15-19
 Building Blocks
 Definitions
 Reading
o Handbook
 Assignment: Draft of extended definition
Week 9: October 22-26
 Technical Descriptions and Specifications
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 16, pgs 255-266
 Assignment: Draft technical description/specifications
 Due: Extended definition
Week 10: October 29-31, November 2
 PASS GATEWAY
 Effective instructions and manuals
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 16, pgs 255-266
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Eng 202C


Assignment: Instructions
Due: Technical description/specifications
Week 11: November 5-9
 Product testing of instructions
 Due: Draft of instructions
Week 12: November 12-16
 Distinguishing among varieties of technical narratives – Reports
 Informal vs. formal reports; report types
 Reading
o Handbook
o MIT: Chp 11-14, pgs 151-236
 Due: Instructions
 Due: Outline of formal report/proposal
Week 13: November 19-23
 November 22-24 – Thanksgiving break – NO CLASS
Week 14: November 26-30
 Formal reports and proposals
 Assignment: Group Proposal
 Due: E-portfolio, including progress report
Week 15: December 3-7
 Formal reports and proposals
 Assignment: Report/Proposal
Week 16: December 10-14
 Workshops
 Due: Proposal
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