Crane
ENGL 393H
ENGL 393H, Blended
Technical Writing (honors)
Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Christopher “Chip” Crane
Section: BL01
Meeting time & place:
MON: 3:30 – 4:45, EGR 1110 (Glen L. Martin Hall)
WED: Online work, TBD
Office: Tawes Hall (TWS)1204 (main entrance and down the right-hand hallway)
Office Hours: Mon 2:00-3:15 (basically before class) or by appointment
Email: cecrane@umd.edu
Cell phone: 410-507-6938
Course Description
The primary purpose of this course is to prepare you to write technical material
clearly when you enter the workplace. What is technical material? What is technical
writing? You might be surprised at the wide range of documents we consider
“techincal writing.” During this course we will examine and practice creating some
of those.
The course will involve some lecture, a lot of dicsussion, a good bit of reading, and
several writing assignments.
Course Objectives
If you engage fully with the material and assignments in this course, you should
learn to
 design sentences, paragraphs, sections, chapters, visual components, and
entire documents for clarity and accessibility for a specific audience, purpose
and context
 understand how writing contributes to your future career in a technical field;
 analyze the various roles that documents play in your particular field;
 research some genres and styles particular to their intended career field;
 design projects that exemplify a particular genre and style;
 collaborate with others in evaluating and improving one another’s work;
 integrate visual rhetoric into documents;
 develop documents for employment and professional school applications;
 understand moral and ethical issues as they relate to health writing and
research;
 customize the design and development processes for a document project in
accordance with professional standards, specifications, and style guides.
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ENGL 393H
Technical Proficiencies
In order to succeed in this course, you will need the following skills:
• exchanging email, including file attachments
• downloading files from the Internet (with proper attribution)
• completing files in a word processor, including the insertion of graphics files
• creating a formatted résumé and brochure
• giving computer-based presentations
Assignments and Grading
All PWP courses require six graded assignments totaling at least 25 pages of writing,
not including rough drafts. The following summarizes the Major Writing
Assignments (MWA) in the course and their respective proportions of the overall
course grade, along with the proportions of other components of your grade:
MWA#
1. What Is It?: Definition and Desription Assignment – 10%
2. How Do You Do It?: Process or Procedure – 10%
3. Science vs. the Media: Using and Evaluating Sources –10%
4. Proposal Executive Summary– 10%
5. Major Document (i.e. Final Project), including several graded elements –
30%
Note: The Major Document is a course requirement; you must complete it
to pass the course. You cannot just take a 0 on it an hope to pass.
6. Job or Internship Application Materials: Resume & Cover letter – 10%
Other graded components
 Discussion posts, reading quizzes, and other short writing exercises –
10%
 Class participation – 10%
(includes attendance, online participation, peer review exercises, in-class
activities, class discussion contribution, assembly of final portfolio, and
general professionalism)
 Plan to turn in A Final Portfolio of all your work during the semester
must be turned in alongside your Major Document (MWA5). Besides the
grades you have received on individual assignments, the appearance and
turning in of this portfolio is a course requirement and will also
contribute to your class participation grade.
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ENGL 393H
Grading Scale
For all numerically graded assignments
A+ = 100
A = 93-99
A- = 90-92
B+ = 86-89
B = 83- 85
B- = 80-82
C+ = 76-79
C = 73- 75
C- = 70-72
D+ = 66-69
D = 63- 65
D- = 60-62
F = 59 or below
Note: Short writing assignments, reading quizzes, and peer review
worksheets will usually receive a √, √+, or √-. These indicate that your
work was at, above, or below my expectations, respectively. These
marks, the initiative you take with revisions, and actual improvement you
show will count toward your homework and class participation grades.
Course Policies
Professionalism
With few exceptions, attendance is required. No excuses. If you miss a session,
including one of our scheduled conferences, you are expected to explain your
absence in an email to me; you must also stay current with the class by contacting
another student. We will often cover essential material in class for which you are
responsible whether absent or not. Tardiness to class is unprofessional and
unacceptable.
Late work is also unacceptable. Unless I specify otherwise, assigned work must be
turned in to me in class on the due date. I will occasionally extend a deadline for
special circumstances, but you should discuss your circumstances with me at least a
week in advance. The penalty for late work submitted without prior arrangement is
a letter grade (10 points) for each work day (M-F) past the due date it is late. Also,
missing required draft submissions or workshops may result in a reduction in the
final grade for the project.
Timeliness (of your attendance and your assignments): is really an element of
the overall high level professionalism I expect from you. You are far enough
along in your academic careers to be training for (or at least looking ahead to
consider) a specific profession. I expect, therefore, that you will conduct
yourselves in class and in your work like the professionals you aspire to
become.
Attendance: I expect you to inform me in advance of medically necessary
absences and present a self-signed note documenting the date of the missed
class(es) and testifying to the need for the absence. This note must include an
acknowledgement that (a) the information provided is true and correct, and
(b) that the student understands that providing false information to University
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ENGL 393H
officials is a violation of Part 9(h) of the Code of Student Conduct. The
university’s policies on medical and other absences can be found at:
http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/158
4/s/1540
Prolonged absence or illness preventing attendance from class requires
written documentation from the Health Center and/or health care provider
verifying dates of treatment when student was unable to meet academic
responsibilities.
Absence due to religious observance will not be penalized; however, it is the
student’s responsibility to notify the instructor within the first 3 weeks of class
regarding any religious observance absence(s) for the entire semester. The
calendar of religious holidays can be found at
http://faculty.umd.edu/teach/attend_student.html#religious
Class Participation
Class participation is essential. Contribute constructively to the course, even if by
simply asking good questions. All of you have had experiences from which other
students in the class can benefit. Professional communication includes a set of crafts
that are practiced differently in different fields; therefore, you add to one another’s
fields by working together. Even if you are just beginning to take courses in your
major, you have knowledge that neither I nor the other students in the class possess.
Even if you are more advanced in your major studies, you still need to be exposed to
other fields.
I will consider the following classroom activities as detrimental to class discussion
and class participation and therefore detrimental to your grade:
• computer use unrelated to the course, including unauthorized emailing or
messaging
• use of a cell phone for conversation or text messaging
• misuse of computer equipment during course activities
I may, from time to time, remind the class or specific individuals of the
unprofessionalism of these activities; however, I may choose not to disrupt class
with a comment and yet still make a note in my records. If you do these things in
class, it should not surprise you if at the end of the semester your grade is
significantly lower than the sum of just your assignment grades.
Office Hours / Contacting Me / Conferences
My office hours and contact information are at the top of this syllabus. Normally I
will be in my office during these times, though I may occasionally be out. I
encourage you, therefore, to schedule an appointment with me during these times
so I will know to expect you. If these hours will not work for you, we may be able to
find another time to meet or else confer via phone or email.
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ENGL 393H
If you email me with a question, I will normally get back to you within one working
day (24 hours during the week) and at the most within 72 hours. I usually do not
check my UMD email account over the weekend. As part of participation and
attendance, you will confer with me on your Long project twice during the semester.
Being absent from a scheduled conference counts as a class absence.
Writing Center
I encourage all of you to make use of the Writing Center. Through an interactive
consultation, a tutor can help you at any stage of the writing process. The Writing
Center will not turn a D quality paper to an A paper for you, but the staff can help
you develop the skills you need to successfully move your paper to the next step in
the process. The Writing Center is located near the entrance to Tawes across from
the PWP Office and provides appointment and walk-in hours during the week.
Although the staff will not “correct” or “proofread” your papers, they can help you
review and improve your English composition skills. Your visits to the WC are
documented and forwarded to me.
Career Center
Students may wish to make use of the resources of the Career Center, particularly in
preparing job, internship, graduate school, or professional school application
materials. If you do use the center, please be aware that their approach to some job
application materials may differ from what we cover in the course assignments. Our
work together will focus on the rhetorical situation between writer and reader,
which may differ from the more practical criteria in vogue in one or another job
market.
Pre-Professional Office
The pre-professional office (health) provides information and support on the
application process for graduate and professional schools.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable in this or any
course. Please visit the website of UMD’s Professional Writing Program for more
information on these policies, as you will be held strictly to them. The University of
Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity,
administered by the Student Honor Council. As a student you are responsible for
upholding the standards of the Code for this course. For more information on the
Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html.
The student-administered Honor Code and Honor Pledge prohibit students from
cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two
courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent documents and
forging signatures. For every writing assignment not specifically exempted by me,
students must write by hand and sign the following pledge:
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ENGL 393H
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized
assistance on this examination (or assignment).
Allegations of academic dishonesty will be reported directly to the Student Honor
Council: http://www.shc.umd.edu .
Course Evaluations
At the end of the course, I will ask you to complete two evaluations. One is the
standard university produced evaluation that you can complete on-line. The second
is a departmental evaluation at the end of the semester. You cannot complete this
on-line. It is a paper evaluation that must be done in class. Your participation in this
official system is critical to the success of the process, and all information submitted
to CourseEvalUM is confidential. (Instructors can only view group summaries of
evaluations and cannot identify which submissions belong to which students.)
Students with disabilities: The University of Maryland is committed to providing
appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a
documented disability should inform the instructors within the add-drop period if
academic accommodations are needed. To obtain an Accommodation Letter
prepared by Disability Support Service (DSS), a division of the University Counseling
Center, please call 301-314-7682, e-mail dissup@umd.edu, or visit the Shoemaker
Building for more information.
Copyright notice
Class lectures and other materials are copyrighted and they may not be reproduced
for anything other than personal use without written permission from the
instructor.
In Case of Inclement Weather or Emergency which closes the University or
otherwise causes the cancellation of class, you should continue with all reading
assignments and other work as scheduled unless you hear otherwise from me via
email or ELMS/Canvas posting.
Academic Accommodations for Students Who May Experience Sexual Misconduct
The University of Maryland is committed to providing support and resources,
including academic accommodations, for students who experience sexual or
relationship violence (as defined by the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy). To
report an incident and/or obtain an academic accommodation, contact the Office of
Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct at 301-405-1142. If you wish to speak
confidentially, contact Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop
Violence at 301-741-3555. Disclosures made to faculty are not confidential and
must be reported to the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct. For more
information visit www.umd.edu/Sexual_Misconduct/.
Diversity
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ENGL 393H
The University of Maryland values the diversity of its student body. Along with the
University, I am committed to providing a classroom atmosphere that encourages
the equitable participation of all students regardless of age, disability, ethnicity,
gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Potential devaluation of
students in the classroom that can occur by reference to demeaning stereotypes of
any group and/or overlooking the contributions of a particular group to the topic
under discussion is inappropriate. (See Statement on Classroom Climate,
http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1
541).
This syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified in advance of
important changes that could affect grading, assignments, etc.
Required Texts
Markel, Mike. Technical Communication, 10th ed., Bedford/St
Martins, 2012.
ISBN-10: 0-312-67948-3
ISBN-13: 978-0312-67948-4
Blum, Deborah, ed. The Best American Science and Nature
Writing 2014. Mariner Books, 2014.
ISBN-10: 054400342X
ISBN-13: 978-0544003422
Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report (CAIB), NASA,
2003. Available for free download in a few places, including
 http://caib1.nasa.gov/news/report/pdf/vol1/full/caib_report_volume1.pdf
 http://history.nasa.gov/columbia/CAIB%5Freportindex.html
Note: You will need to bring a copy to class on days when we discuss readings.
Readings in these texts are listed below. You should complete all reading prior to
class on the day assigned. Other required readings may be in the form of handouts
(in hard copy or on ELMS) or web-based articles and other links as assigned during
the semester.
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ENGL 393H
Course Reading and Major Assignment Schedule
(Changes will be promulgated via email and Canvas as well as in class)
Markel = Mike Markel, Technical Communication
CAIB = The Columbia Accident Investigation Board report
Blum = Deborah Blum, ed. The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2014
Week 1
Aug 31
 Course Intro
 Definition exercise
 Begin self-reflective essay #1
Online
 Discussion post: CAIB Intro & Ch. 1
 Self-reflective essay #1 due 3 Sept
Week 2
Sept 7 – LABOR DAY, no class
Online
 Online discussion: Markel Ch 1, 3 & Ch 20, Definitions and
descriptions
 Discussion post: CAIB Ch 2
 Discussion post: Blum, “Why the Brain Prefers Paper” by Ferris Jabr
Week 3
Sept 14
 Very rough draft of MWA1 due--Practice peer review
in class
 Discussion: CAIB sections 3.1-3.1 (pp 49-55) & skip p.54
 Discussion: Blum, Jabr article(from last week)
Online
 Discussion post: Blum, “The Great Forgetting” by Nicholas Carr
 MWA1: Definition/Description Draft DUE Wed
 Peer Review online DUE Thurs
 MWA1: Definition/Description DUE Fri
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ENGL 393H
Week 4
Sept 21
 Markel Ch 5 & 7 Audience & Organization
 Discussion: Blum, “O-Rings” by Sarah Stewart Johnson
Online
 Discussion post: CAIB Sections 3.4-3.6 (pp 59-73)
 Discussion post: CAIB Sections 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.8 (assigned by
group)
Week 5
Sept 28
 Writing Procedures and Instructions (revisit Markel Ch 20)
 Markel Ch 11 Document and Page Design
 Markel Ch 12 Graphics and Other Visuals
 Discussion: CAIB Ch 6 (6.1-6.2, pp 121-139)
 Discussion: Blum, “Under Water” by Kate Sheppard
Online
 MWA 2: Process or Procedure Draft DUE Weds
 Peer Review DUE Thurs
 MWA 2: Process or Procedure DUE Fri
Discussion post: “The Social Life of Genes” by David Dobbs
Week 6
Oct 5




Markel Ch 8 & 9 Persuasion and Coherence
Markel Ch 10 Effective Sentences
Discussion: CAIB – Assorted visuals (TBD)
Discuss MWA 3
Online
 Discussion post: CAIB visuals TBD
 Discussion post: Blum, “A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its
DNA,” by Amy Harmon

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ENGL 393H
Week 7
Oct 12
 Discuss Major Project Proposal Memos
 Markel Ch 6 Research and Evaluating Sources
 Discussion: CAIB, opening summaries of
o Ch 4 (p 85),
o Part Two (p 97),
o Ch 5 (p. 99),
o Ch 6 (p. 121),
o Ch 7 (p 177),
o Ch 8 (p.195, 1st paragraph), and
o Ch 9 (p. 207)
Online
 MWA 3: Evaltuating Sources: Experts vs. the Media Draft DUE
Wed
 Peer Review DUE Thurs
 MWA 3: Evaltuating Sources: Experts vs. the Media DUE Fri
Week 8
Oct 19
 Major project Conference #1
 MWA 5 Major Project Proposal Memo DUE (at conference)
Online
 Discussion post: Blum, “What Our Telescopes Couldn’t See” by
Pippa Goldschmidt
 Self-reflective Essay #2 due
Week 9
Oct 26
 Email and Other Workplace Correspondence
 Markel Ch 16 Proposals
 Executive Summaries
Online
 Discussion post: Blum, various selections by group
 MWA 4: Proposal & Executive Summary Draft DUE Weds
 Peer Review DUE Thurs
 MWA 4 Proposal with Executive Summary DUE Fri
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ENGL 393H
Week 10
Nov 2
 Discussion: CAIB Ch 7 (assigned sections by group)
 Markel 17-19 (Skim)—Different kinds of reports
 Discuss Long Project
Online
 Discussion Post: CAIB Ch 8 (all of it)
Week 11
Nov 9
 Long project Conference #2
 MWA5 Major project outline & annotated bibliography due at
conference
Online
 Discussion post, TBD
Week 12
Nov 16
 Effective Oral and Visual Presentations
 Markel Ch 21 Oral Presentations
Online
 MWA 5 Major Project Rough Draft DUE Wed
 Peer Review DUE Fri
Week 13
Nov 23
 Effective Oral Presentations, cont’d
 Resumes and Cover Letters
 Bring resume draft to class
 MWA 5: Major Project DUE
Online
 MWA6 Rough Draft of Resume & Cover Letter DUE Wed
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Week 14
Nov 30
 Peer review for MWA6 DUE Mon
 Oral Presentations
Online
 MWA 6 Resume & Cover Letter DUE Wed
 TBD
Week 15
Dec 7
 Oral Presentations
Online
 TBD
ENGL 393H