Rebecca Smith
Teaching Assistant 1-
English
University of Texas @ San Antonio
ENG 2313
MB 2.306E
Office Hours: Wednesday, 11:00-12:00 am and by appointment
(210) 458-7884
preferred contact: rebecca.smith1@utsa.edu (note: if you do not include the 1, you will be contacting an
instructor in another field)
Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words,
circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon…But the secret of good writing
is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components…Clear thinking becomes clear writing:
one can’t exist without the other. —William Zinsser, On Writing Well
List of Class Requirements
25%
5%
10%
10%
15%
10%
5%
20%
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Unannounced quizzes (NO MAKE UPS)
Document Design
Informal Report
Translation of Technical Document
Manual
Professional Editing
Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
Recommendation
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Students with 6 or more absences will fail the course, regardless of grades. Students are responsible for keeping track of
their attendance. Instructor will not provide individual updates on dates of student’s absences.
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Quizzes are part of class participation. Therefore, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES can a student receive a make-up.
Quiz.
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Grades are ONLY posted to ASAP.
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EACH ASSIGNMENT MUST HAVE A WORKPLAN ATTACHED. Failure to submit workplan may result in a
reduced grade for the assignment.
Materials and Text:
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Houp, et. all. Reporting Technical Information. 11th Ed., Oxford, 2008.
Folder to store my (endless) handouts
A few blank diskettes
A ream of copy paper
Note Regarding Syllabus:
There is no webct or online information for this course. I do not send students copies of documents or
powerpoints. If you miss class (don't!) or lose a handout, they are available only at the office (MB 2.306E)
during office hours. During the week assigned a more detailed handout will be given for most assignments.
Class attendance is required. A roster will be circulated the first five minutes of class.
More than six unexcused absences will result in an F for the course. See University
Code.
Course Objectives:
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to understand the purpose and process of technical writing;
to create clear, accurate, and succinct content;
to produce documents reflecting different types of technical communication
such as technical descriptions, proposals, reports, web pages, and
instructional manuals;
to use mechanically and grammatically correct language in written and oral
communication;
to learn how to adjust technical content to meet the needs of a specific target
audience;
to appreciate principles of document design and how they enhance meaning;
Grading
25%
Quizzes (cannot be made up) 25%
Assignments
75%
75%
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Holistic grading method used.
All work not handed to instructor must
be taken to MB 2.314, the Department of
English offices. Faculty mailboxes are
located here.
Work will not be accepted at instructor’s
office. Faculty members and
administrative staff from other areas are
not responsible for turning in your work.
Course Information:
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Plagiarized work will not be accepted. Document your sources (texts and visuals) both internally
and in reference page. All work in this course MUST be documented. Any questions, ask before
assignment is due. We will cover MLA and APA.
Computers are to be used for technical writing. Please do not abuse the privilege of having
computers in the classroom.
Students may not print from our classroom/lab.
All work MUST be submitted in hard copy form the day it is due at the beginning of class unless
student has a document excused absence. LATE WORK MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED. All
work must be in by the last day classes meet, not the last day of term.
NO EMAILED VERIONS OF WORK WILL BE GRADED OR PRINTED. The university
permits students 200 copies at the lab. Instructor will not pay for printing your work. Emailed
copies will receive a 50 point penalty.
BE PROACTIVE about questions, especially if you are falling behind in work. Instructor will no
longer be teaching at this institution as of May 20, 2009.
The usual courtesies to fellow students apply in this class. We are here to learn from each other.
Leading students by questions, comments, observations, and/or discussions about class related
topics on a substantial basis is appreciated and will lead to extra credit points.
Student’s with Disabilities (see online Student Handbook)
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Students are asked to assist one another in this course; this semester, however, there are no group
assignments.
Group work will be considered on some projects, but page requirements are doubled, per
University guidelines.
Assignment: Document Design
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Jan. 12
To make a good impression on readers
To help readers understand the structure and hierarchy of the
information
To help readers find the information they need
To help readers understand information
To help reader remember the information
Syllabus and Introduction to Technical Writing
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Orientation and Introductions
Discussion of syllabus and scope of course
Definition of technical writing and types of technical writing
“Chopping block” of tech writing: clarity and audience
Homework: Locate several online job postings in their fields and be prepared to
discuss how many of the postings list requirements about communication skills.
Students may go to job search sites like Monster.com, or they may choose to search sites
of specific employers. Does a job listing identify broad communication skills as a
requirement of the job or does it identify specific communication skills (presentation
skills, grant proposal writing skills, etc.).
Jan. 14
Before class Read Chapter 1: An Overview of Technical Writing
Homework: Bring in one example of technical writing for class.
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Jan. 16
Fundamentals of Document Design - excellent website on design
Websites:
Common Page Design (by David McMurrey)
Typography and Page Layout (by Ron F Wolley)
Chapter 2: Composing
Locate Web sites that discuss the writing process in their fields and/or future professions.
Encourage them to locate sites that specifically address their fields/professions rather
than sites that provide general writing advice. Have the students summarize the advice
provided on the sites, and then post the summaries and the site URLs on the discussion
list (or in an e-mail).
Homework: Bring in example of good technical design and example of poor technical design
for next class (be prepared to explain why examples are good or poor).
Jan. 19
Martin Luther King HOLIDAY
Jan. 21
Chapter 3: Writing for Your Readers (Assignment One Given)
Homework: Go
to an online journal or magazine that they choose (or perform a search
for one). Once on the sites, identify the audiences for the publications. Locate the
“About Us” section of the site or its equivalent (sometimes found in a “For Advertisers”
section). Once you have identified the audience (or not, if the publication doesn’t clearly
identify its audience), you should examine the publication to identify the ways in which
the publication communicates with its audience (or perhaps fails to).
Jan. 23
Designing Brochures and Flyers (Handout)
Jan. 26
Chapter 4: Technical Writing Style
Declare an opposite day. Rewrite good, straightforward sentences
with the sentence-style problems covered in this chapter. Rewrite active voice to passive
voice; jam nouns together in long noun strings; knock the action right out of the
sentences; begin with interminable openers; and interrupt the subject and verb with huge
modifiers. Rewrite one paragraph to share with the class.
Homework:
Document Design Due today
Assignment: Informal Report
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Jan. 28
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Jan. 30
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Adapt written reports to audience
Incorporate Document Design aids for reader
Adapt introductions to guide reader through document
Handout “On Reading Visual and Verbal Texts”
Task analysis
Inserting Images and Captions
Bring copy of a powerful or moving image to class. Be prepared
to discuss its impact.
Feb. 2
Roger C. Parker’s design site. Click on Links Library for
Ch. 12 on <bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm>.
and John Magnik’s essay “Typography & Page Layout” at
same website.
Feb. 4
Color Vision Simulator from Vischeck Link Library for Ch.
12 on <bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm>
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Visual design and Graphics – in-class work and assignments
Summary Design document - Summarydesign.doc
Memo re-design document - Wasson.doc
Feb. 6
Guest Speaker-Grant Writing
Feb. 9
Informal Report Due/ Finding Technical Journals
Assignment: Translation Project
Feb. 11
Chapter 5: Writing Ethically
Feb. 13
Chapter 6: Writing for International Readers
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Principles of technical description and instructions (in-class exercises
and assignment)
Structural-Fuctional Technical description assignment
Effective technical descriptions - handout
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Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
16
18
20
23
25
27
2
Chapter 7: Gathering Information
Chapter 8: Designing and Formatting Documents
Summary and Paraphrase
In-text documentation
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker
MLA and APA Reference Pages
Mar. 4
Translation Project Due
Assignment: Instruction Manual
Mar. 6
Mar. 9-14
Chapter 17: Formulating Instructions, Procedures, and Polices
Spring Break
Mar. 16
Chapter 13: Creating Reports for any Occasion
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Mar. 18
Mar. 20
Instructional Chapter/manual assignment explained - in-class work
and discussion - handout
Chapter 9: Creating and Managing Texts
In-Class Work
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Mar. 23
FullShot directions - handout
How-To Guide for FullShot - website
Writing Effective Instructions
Tips for Creating Effective Computer Instructions - website
How to Write Instructions for Busy, Grouchy People - Dr. Dennis Jerz
website (an excellent resource)
Manual Due Today/ Conferences
Assignment: Professional Editing
Mar. 25
Chapter 4: Review
Mar. 27
Chapter 12: Planning Your Correspondence and Email
Mar. 30
Editing Marks (Handouts)
Apr. 1
Edited works due today
Assignment: Proposal and Annotated Bibliography and Recommendation
Apr. 3
Chapter 16: Proposals and Progress Reports
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Apr. 6
Chapter 14: Developing Analytical Reports
Types of reports explained and discussed (in-class exercises and
assignments).
Chapter 15: Developing Empirical Research Reports
Apr. 8
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Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
10
13
15
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Principles of proposal writing
Online technical writing - Proposals website
A Practical Guide to Writing Proposals website - Alice M. Reid, M.Ed.
Types of Sources (Handout)
Chapter 10: Developing Main Elements of Report
Chapter 18: Writing Collaboratively
Chapter 17: Preparing Oral Reports
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Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Progress/Status report explained and assigned - handout
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24
27`
In-class work and discussion on presenting effective oral
communication – film on effective oral presentations - handout
Web writing
Creating Forms
Chapter 20: Understanding the Job Search
LAST DAY OF CLASS-RECOMMENDATION DUE
Other Helpful Links:
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How to Build Lame Websites - Charlie Morris
Society for Technical Information - STC
Professor Charles Darling's Guide to Grammar and Writing – excellent
information and interactive quizzes
National Writers Union - job information and articles for freelance writers
Webopedia - Online Dictionary of Computer and Internet terms - decode the
jargon!
Writers Write - comprehensive resource on books, writing, and publishing
Hotjobs.com - enter "technical writer" as a search term and get some idea of
the high demand for this profession.
Web Clip Art - tons of links to free clipart and other web graphics - don't get
carried away!
Handouts:
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Working at Warpspeed with Word 97/2000's Shortcuts:
Part 1 - Getting Started
Part 2 - Editing tips
Part 3 - Formatting tips
Basic Principles of Document Design handout
Elements of Page Design
How to Put Your Reader into a Coma without Really Trying – Eliminating
Wordiness
Effective technical descriptions
Instructions for Using FullShot
Website design pointers
Building a basic website - manual