OPTI 597B
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Technical Writing and Communication (3). This class will review principles and procedures of technical communication; focus on analyzing audiences and purpose of communication; practice organizing information and writing specialized documents such as technical reports, funding proposals, journal publications, and dissertations/theses.

Meeting Times: MW 11:00 to 12:15 | Recitation F 11:00 to 12:00

Instructor:
Allison Huff Mac Pherson, D.H.Ed.

There will be a grammatical grading component on each assignment. The format of this class is on-line and asynchronous. The expectation is that students will work collaboratively and learn from one another by participating in weekly class discussions and providing peer review via “posts” on a weekly thread regarding ideas and comments surrounding each topic presented by the instructor.

Topics to be covered include:

Module 1:Style I: Grammar and punctuation
Module 2: Style II: Sentence structure and syntax
Module 3: Professional and ethical considerations
Module 4-5: Know your audience: From corporate to classroom
Module 6-8: Technical Documents
Modules 9-10: Writing for publication
Module 11-12: Writing funding proposals
Modules 13: Writing your Dissertation/Thesis
Module 14-16: Creating successful oral presentations

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes
To recognize and utilize correct rhetorical and stylistic elements necessary for successful scientific and technical communication

To recognize the intended audience and present information in an appropriate manner for said audience

To understand the genre and manipulate the structure of selected technical documents

To effectively and correctly convey (through written and oral media) the technical aspects of a practice to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

To appreciate your professional and ethical obligations in your communications as prospective practitioners in your chosen field

Class Schedule:
TBD

Textbooks:
Required:
Market, M. (2012). Technical Communication (10th ed.). Mac Higher. ISBN 978-0312679484

Strunk, W. and White, E.B. (2000). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-0205313426

Supplemental Material:
Fisher, E. (1999). Enjoy Writing Your Science Thesis or Dissertation. Imperial College Press. ISBN 978-1860940903

Grading Policy: Regular attendance and participation in class discussions is required, and a superior execution of all assignments is expected in order to earn an A for this course. At the graduate level, the grade of B indicates substantive weaknesses in performance, and a grade of C is unacceptable. Class attendance and class participation is evaluated based on the number and quality of your contributions to class discussions; written assignments are evaluated based on the expectation of clear, thorough, and concise prose and the absence of excessive jargon. The only discussion posts that will be considered class participation are those that offer a scholarly perspective (i.e. “Great idea!” does NOT count as a class participation post unless followed by a scholarly reason that the idea is great). The assignments categories itemized below indicate relative weight of each as a percent of the course grade: >89% earns an A; 80-89% a B, and < 80% a C. There are no exams.

Weekly Discussion Posts/Class participation: 50%
Weekly written assignments: 30%
Final oral presentation: 20%