ET105/BU125 – Technical Writing
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
1:00 – 2:00
Room 149 / 137
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
Credits:
Prerequisite:
Joe Drivdahl
Room 119
As Posted outside office
377-9444
drivdahl@dawson.edu
3
None
Required Materials:
Text: Technical Writing: Process and Product, Fifth Edition, by Sharon J.
Gerson and Steven M. Gerson. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13119664-2.
Course Description:
This course covers the principles of creating and developing professional
documents such as descriptions, instructions, reports, and proposals.
Correct sentence structure, grammar, and usage are reviewed.
Course Objectives:
After completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of technical writing in the
workplace.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the three-step writing process: pre-writing,
writing, and rewriting by completing these steps several times during the
semester
3. Demonstrate understanding of the five major objectives in successful
technical writing: clarity, conciseness, accuracy, organization, and ethics
through the completion of writing assignments including memos, letters,
reports, directions, and instructions.
4. Explain why audience recognition and involvement are essential to
effective technical writing by completing case studies that require students
to write to specific audiences.
5. Demonstrate ability to write for diverse audiences including
accommodating multiculturism, avoiding biased language, and
personalizing their writing by completing case studies appropriate to the
lesson. Also students will participate in a business transaction activity
which requires a language translator.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of document design and
effective page layout using white space and graphics by completing case
studies.
Attendance:
Your instructor highly advises you to attend all class meetings and expects
you to be on time for class each day. If you should miss a class, get the
day’s notes and assignments from the instructor or another student.
Remember, “I wasn’t here” is not be a valid excuse for not completing
your assignments on time.
Exams/Quizzes/Assignments:
There will be 3 exams worth 50 points each. There will also be a
comprehensive final project worth 100 points. Expect pop quizzes daily.
Students will also complete several writing assignments during the
semester.
Grading Scale:
Percentage Grade
93 – 100
A
90 – 92
A87 – 89
B+
83 – 86
B
80 – 82
B77 – 79
C+
73 – 76
C
70 – 72
C67 – 69
D+
63 – 66
D
60 – 62
D0 – 59
F
Final Exam: 4:00 – 6:00 Wednesday, May 14
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department
of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not
necessarily reflect the official position of the U. S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their
services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor.
This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, noncommercial use only.