SENECA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH AND LIBERAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF INFORMATION ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT OUTLINE
SUBJECT CODE:
PWR 381
(YorkU PRWR3810)
SUBJECT TITLE:
Digesting Technical Information
SEMESTER: Fall 2010
APPROVED BY:
__________________________________
Andrew Schmitz, Chair
School of English and Liberal Studies
Agnew/PWR3810 Fall 2010
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YORK UNIVERSITY
FACULTY of ARTS
Department of English
Professional Writing Program
Course:
PRWR3810 (PWR381YA) Digesting Technical Information
Course Webpage: http://people.senecac.on.ca/beth.agnew/html/pwr381.html
Term: Fall Term 2010
Prerequisite / Co-requisite: Please refer to York’s Dept of English calendar.
Course Instructor
Beth Agnew
(416) 491-5050 x3133
Seneca @ York, SEQ Building S2090
beth.agnew@senecac.on.ca
Course consultation hours: 1 hour prior to start of class, and by appointment. Additional hours
posted online and outside office.
Time and Location
Classes & Lab:
T2109 (Tel Bldg) 08:30 Thursdays
Expanded Course Description
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to PRWR3810! Please read this subject outline carefully. It is your guide to the subject
requirements and activities in my class. The outline is also available in Blackboard.
Please note that I will be making extensive use of Blackboard as a learning tool during this course.
Check it often for information and announcements. To be able to access Blackboard, you will need
to obtain a Seneca ID Card. I will give you the forms for this, and you will need to go to the One
Card office to obtain your photoID.
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
This course addresses the task of translating the languages of specialists for the use and
comprehension of non-specialists. Students confront the problem of jargons and develop strategies
to understand them themselves, and then to translate them for others.
Perhaps the most difficult task within larger institutions is that of understanding how “jargon” is an
essential communicative strategy among specialized groups, especially those groups working in
scientific and technological areas. This information needs frequently to be disseminated to a wide
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range of non-specialized readers, whether these readers work in another branch of a large
organization or are some part of the general public.
Communications and writing specialists are the key transmission points in this distribution of
information, even though such specialists are by no means immune to being bewildered by jargon.
Among the key sorts of texts addressed are scientific reports, judicial decisions, laws and regulatory
statutes, technological briefs, and various sorts of statistical data and accompanying commentary.
However, this course deals with far more than jargon. It looks at the strategies for analyzing dense
technical, scientific and institutional material in written form, and provides ways for breaking up
that information into understandable bits, for better acquisition by the target audience.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
The course consists of a combination of lectures, readings, workshopping and practical exercises,
peer editing, discussion, demonstrations, and multimedia examples. It combines rhetorical theory
with practical knowledge to give students the tools to perform well as institutional writers.
Be prepared for a lot of writing and reading!
Course Learning Objectives
This course teaches you how to read, absorb, understand, analyze, rewrite, edit, and publish
technical information in an institutional setting.
On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 analyze different audiences and their communication needs;
 read and understand complex genre documents from various institutions and industries;
 translate technical, scientific, and jargon-based documents into plain language;
 understand the importance to society of plain language writing
 write various types of documents and communicate a variety of information in a way easily
understood by any particular audience
 peer edit text based on institutional documents.
Course Text / Readings
REQUIRED TEXTS
There is no assigned textbook for this course. Instead, students will be required to obtain and refer
to various types of institutional documents via library research and the Web. The instructor will
provide access to other documents for study. There will be assigned readings.
Suggested texts for additional reading:
Information Anxiety, 2nd edition, by Richard Saul Wurman
Data Smog, by David Shenk
COURSE MATERIALS
Handouts will be provided by the instructor via Blackboard and the course website.
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Students will be required to photocopy some writing exercises or other materials for peer edits and
class review.
Evaluation***
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Weekly writing exercises with peer edits [30%]
o Based on assigned readings, write 5 one-page documents that reflect the content and
context of the readings, for editing by peers. Submit in 4 copies – one to each of 3
peers and one to instructor. Peers will award marks based on published criteria.
Instructor will review and grade results. Final grade for this evaluation will be based
on the best 3 of 5 submissions.
Two short problem sets [20%]
o Using various provided institutional documents, answer questions based on content,
context, and meaning.
One translation/mediation project [30%]
o Write a plain language version of a genre document, for the general public.
Editing challenge: Edit for plain language a complex institutional document using
proofreaders’ marks
o Under time pressure, edit a 2-page document. [20%]
Bonus marks for writing a popular document (article, press release, Op-Ed, etc.) based on a
complex genre document.
Total word count of assignments: A minimum of approx 2500 words.
*** “Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution
profiles.”
Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests
Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in
undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests*
will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A
= 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)
(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/pdfs/ug2004cal/calug04_5_acadinfo.pdf)
Students may take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an ungraded (pass/fail) basis.
For full information on this option see Alternative Grading Option in the English section of the
Undergraduate Calendar:.
Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not
only well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date
specified for the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in to the instructor at the beginning of
the class. If you are unable to be in class on the date the assignment is due, e-mail your assignment
to the instructor PRIOR to the start of class, and follow up with a printed copy of the assignment by
delivery to the Departmental drop box (at S@Y, outside the English & Liberal Studies office) as
soon as possible.
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Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized one-half letter
grade (1 grade point) per day that assignment is late. Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid
reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor
but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).
Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness,
compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter)
may request accommodation from the Course Instructor. Students will be allowed to write a
makeup test in the week following the missed test. Further extensions or accommodation will
require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Students will be required to photocopy (or produce in multiple copies) a number of assignments for
distribution to peers for peer edits.
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information, available on the
Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives,
Documents) - http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm
• York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website
• Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants
• Course requirement accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical,
systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities
• Student Conduct Standards
• Religious Observance Accommodation
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SENECA PRWR STUDENTS
SENECA COLLEGE ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
As a student of a PRWR course, you are also a student of Seneca College. It is therefore your
responsibility as a student of Seneca College to be aware of and abide by the academic and
behavioural policies outlined in the Seneca College Academic Policy and the Student Handbook.
Here are some key policies:
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ACADEMIC HONESTY (Section 9 and Appendix E - Academic Policy)
“Engaging in any form of academic dishonesty to obtain any type of academic advantage or credit is an
offence under this policy and will not be tolerated by the College. “The penalty for a first academic honesty
offence is a grade “0” on the work in which the offence occurred, and will result in a comment being placed
on the transcript by the Academic Honesty Committee. The penalty for the second academic honesty
offence is an “F” in the subject where the offence occurred, a second comment on the transcript and
suspension from the College for a time period determined by the Academic Honesty Committee, normally
for a minimum of three (3) semesters.”
For more information on Academic Honesty go to: http://library.senecacollege.ca.
STUDENT APPEALS
Students must keep all assignments (including drafts and outlines) and exercises until they have
received their final grade. No appeal will be considered unless a complete file is submitted at the
time of appeal. A lost assignment is no excuse.
If a student disagrees with the evaluation of an assignment or with a final grade, s/he must first
discuss the matter with the professor in an attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the matter is not
resolved, at this point the student should go to the Chair of Seneca’s School of English and Liberal
Studies. If the matter cannot be resolved, the student will be asked to take the appeal to York’s
Professional Writing Program Office at 301 Calumet College and submit a Grade Reappraisal
Form.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY AND PROTOCOLS
See the Student Handbook. Faculty and students are reminded that College correspondence should only be
disseminated electronically through official College-provided e-mail. Alternate e-mail addresses, such as
Yahoo mail or Hotmail mail, are not authenticable through Seneca.
COPYRIGHT – See the Student handbook
“It is illegal to photocopy textbooks and other copyrighted materials (e.g. graphics from a web site). Copyright
information is available at http://library.senecacollege.ca …”
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - See the Student Handbook
DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT – See the Student Handbook
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from
discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the
College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance
are available from the Resolution, Equity and Diversity Centre.
Agnew/PWR3810 Fall 2010
TOPIC OUTLINE
Basic Communication Theory
 Metacommunication
 Jargon
 Lexicons
 Genres:
o Government
o Legal
o Regulatory
o Institutional
o Scientific
o Medical
o Military
 Communication Exercises
Principles of Plain Language & Rhetoric
 Content
 Context
 Subtext
 Audience Analysis
 Rhetorical Strategies for Technical Translation
o Positive and Negative messages
o Persuasive messages; inhibitory and exhortatory messages
o Cause & Effect, Problem & Solution, Question & Answer
o Organization of information
o Chunking
Importance of Technology Transfer
 Methods
 Consequences
 Accuracy
 Authority
 Information Literacy
 Information Flow in technical & scientific disciplines
 Co-ordinating, nurturing, and linking information and audiences
Critical Thinking About Communication
 Bias, Agenda, Conflict
 Logic, Substance, Support
 Fact vs. Myth
 Emotional aspects of technical and scientific writing
 Readings: "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection" and "How To Tell What Is Science from
What Isn't”
Ethical Technical, Scientific & Institutional Communication
 Who’s paying the bill?
 In the public interest
 First do no harm
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Agnew/PWR3810 Fall 2010
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Assignments are in BOLD
Date
Teaching Topics and Assignments
Sep 16
Introduction to Digesting Technical Information; Techniques of Analysis
Sep 23
Jargon; Glossary entries, Class Wiki; peer edit
Sep 30
Plain Language; Writing for Organizations and Institutions; peer edit
Oct 7
Targeted writing exercises on specific topics with in-class analysis; peer edit
Problem Set #1 – in-class;
Oct 14
*** Reading Week - no class ***
Oct 21
Critical Thinking about Technology, peer edit
Oct 28
Editing challenge – in-class, Technology Transfer
Nov 4
OHIP Schedule of Benefits; Lexicons; peer edit
Nov 11
Problem Set #2 – Genres and Characteristics
Nov 18
Writing workshop – instructor-led tutorial groups
Nov 25
Writing workshop – instructor-led tutorial groups
Dec 2
Bias and Ethics
Dec 9
Written piece due – translation (750 +/- words);
Wrap up and final discussion
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