Syllabus Fall 2012
***Unless otherwise indicated, assignments, readings, and submissions listed for each day should be completed before the start of class.
Tuesday sessions, unless otherwise noted, are on-line classes.
Thursday sessions, unless otherwise noted, are face-to-face classes that will be held in Tawes Hall, 0230.
A printable version of the full syllabus is posted as a PDF on the main ADMIN page, albeit with less detail. This version of the syllabus will be updated throughout the semester with direct links, updates, and other changes and will eventually include all weeks of the semester, so please check here often.
Tuesday sessions, unless otherwise noted, are on-line classes.
Thursday sessions, unless otherwise noted, are face-to-face classes that will be held in Tawes Hall, 0230.
A printable version of the full syllabus is posted as a PDF on the main ADMIN page, albeit with less detail. This version of the syllabus will be updated throughout the semester with direct links, updates, and other changes and will eventually include all weeks of the semester, so please check here often.
Week One
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Tuesday, September 3: Course Introduction
View Intro to Blended Learning
Read All pages under Home, Admin, including full syllabus and course policies; letter from PWP director Post Day One Diagnostic (3:30; 5:00) Complete Survey One (ELMS) |
Thursday, September 5: Course Overview; Audience-Based Job Application MaterialsView Video One: Intro to the Assignment
Submit Bring a hard copy of your current resume to class & post a PDF version to ELMS (Submit) Review Day 1 Takeaways (no audio, can view in GoogleDocs) Read RCL page; Assignment Sheet; Sample Jobs |
Week Two
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View Video Two: The Resume
Read "I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar," Harvard Business Review; "Your Resume vs. Oblivion," The Wall Street Journal; "Writing an Effective Resume," Engineering Co-op & Career Services; "Resumes & Vitas," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (Resumes 1; Resumes 2; Resume Design; Resume Workshop; Resume Samples) Submit Job Description (posted on ELMS and a hard copy brought to class); |
Thursday, September 12: Audience-Based Cover Letter
View Video Three: The Cover Letter Read "Resumes, Cover Letters, and Other Correspondence," University of San Diego (Relevant pages); "Job Search Letters," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (All sections); Partner’s resume & job description (distributed in class Sept. 6) Submit Resume Worksheet (download from RCL & complete identified sections prior to class time; interview partner during class time; post completed version to ELMS by 8 PM) Post Considering Audience (3:30 section); Considering Audience (5:00 section) Complete Survey Two (ELMS: Surveys) |
Week Three
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Tuesday, September 17: Audience-Based Cover Letters
View Video Three: The Cover Letter
Read "Resumes, Cover Letters, and Other Correspondence," University of San Diego (Relevant pages); "Job Search Letters," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (All sections); Partner’s resume & job description (distributed in class Sept. 6) Submit Resume Worksheet (download from RCL & complete identified sections prior to class time; interview partner during class time; post completed version to ELMS by 8 PM) Post Considering Audience (3:30 section); Considering Audience (5:00 section) Complete Survey Two (ELMS: Surveys) |
Thursday, September 19: Job Application Package
Review Readings and examples from RCL page
Submit Cover Letter Worksheet (questions 1 & 2 due posted to ELMS prior to class time; worksheet completed in class and posted within 24 hours after class ends) |
Week Four
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Tuesday, September 24: Draft Workshop
Read Draft Workshop Materials
Submit ONE HOUR BEFORE CLASS: Draft package: job description, resume, cover letter (ELMS); BY 8PM: Responses to classmates’ drafts (ELMS) |
Thursday, September 26: Draft Workshop
Submit Revised draft package (posted on ELMS and a hard copy brought to class); Responses to classmates’ drafts (within 24 hours) (ELMS)
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Week Five
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Tuesday, October 1: Project Topics
View Topic Selection Video
Read Topic Selection entire page "Engagement: Address your Audience's Needs, Values," The Word Factory Potential Topic Examples Submit RESUME & COVER LETTER (ELMS) (Submission Reminders: please review) Post Analysis of a Project Topic (by end of class) Complete Survey Three (ELMS; by end of class) |
Thursday, October 3: Project Topics, Audience Work
Read "Readers and Context of Use," Pearson (pages 38-43)
Watch Mitt Romney on Obama voters; Romney on controversial "47 percent" remark |
Week Six
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Tuesday, October 8: Topic Selection; Definitions
View Definition Video
Read Definition entire page; Definition assignment sheet Extended Definition, Online Technical Writing Audience Analysis, Online Technical Writing Post Three potential topics (by the start of class); Responses to classmates' topics (by the end of class) |
Thursday, October 10: Topic Narrowing & Discussions; Definitions
Read How to Write an Extended Definition, Richard Corning, Western Oregon University
Defining the Horse-Collar Tackle, The Dallas Morning News Defining the Horse-Collar Tackle, Student Example Post Revised topic description (also bring a hard copy to class) Complete Survey Four (ELMS) |
Week Seven
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Tuesday, October 15: Conferences
View Proposal Video
Read Proposal entire page, Proposal Assignment Sheet "Technical Reports," Online Technical Writing Proposal Sample 1: Meals on Wheels Proposal Sample 2: Acoustic Thermometer (posted on ELMS: Course Documents) Submit Conference Worksheet (hard copy) |
Thursday, October 17: Conferences
Submit Conference Worksheet (hard copy)
(Conference Times posted here) Complete Survey Five (ELMS; by 8PM) |
Week Eight
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Tuesday, October 22: Primary Research; Proposal; Definition Audiences
View Primary Research Video
Read Survey/Interview Questions Worksheet "Course Related Guide: Technical Writing," University of Maryland University Libraries (All Relevant sub-pages) "Research Overview," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (All Relevant sub-pages) "Evaluating Sources," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (All Relevant sub-pages) "Conducting Primary Research," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (All Relevant sub-pages) Meet with Group Members to discuss topics, terms, and audience traits (Groups will be posted by October 12 here; contact your group members -- check our Email discussion thread if you don't have their email addresses -- and set up a place to meet. Further directions are on the Audience/Definition Worksheet) Post Potential Definition Terms |
Thursday, October 24: Primary Research; Proposal
Read MLA Style Guide & Annotated Bibliography (Examples)
Submit Definition Audience Description (ELMS: Submit Drafts) (scroll to the right and select Definition Drafts under Pages) Complete Survey Six (ELMS) |
Week Nine
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Tuesday, October 29: Presentations
View Good and Bad Oral Presentation Skills
Delivering a Bad Presentation Delivering a Good Presentation Video Example of Student Presentation Read "Ten Tips for More Effective Powerpoint Presentations," Lifehack "Guidelines for Powerpoint Presentations," University of Colorado Presentations page, including assignment sheet Submit Survey/Interview Questions (ELMS: Submit Drafts on the Group Work page; see Oct. 18 directions) (by the start of class); Feedback for two group members' questions (by the end of class) |
Thursday, October 31: Presentations; Definitions
Submit Revised Survey/Interview Questions (hard copy)
Submit DEFINITION (hard copies for group members); AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION & DEFINITION (revised; within 24 hours of end of class on ELMS: Submit Assignments) |
Week Ten
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Tuesday, November 5: Proposal Draft Workshop
University of Maryland is closed
Draft workshop: optional; see Michelle's email for directions |
Thursday, November 7: Proposal Draft Workshop
Submit Two hard copies of your Proposal draft (also posted on ELMS); Responses to two classmates’ drafts (within 24 hours) (ELMS)
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Week Eleven
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Tuesday, November 12: Instructions; Final Project
View Final Project Video
Read Instructions page "How to Write Guides for Busy, Grouchy People," Jerz's Literary Weblog "Usability Testing," University of Colorado Final Project page Final Project Assignment Sheet Examples of Final Projects Submit PROPOSAL (ELMS: Submit Assignments) due by the beginning of class Post Found Examples of Bad Instructions due at the end of class Complete Survey Seven due at the end of class |
Thursday, November 14: Usability Testing
Read "Writing Instructions: How & Why," English Online
Complete Practice Instructions (print and bring to class) |
Week Twelve
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Tuesday, November 19: Writing Instructions
Complete Instructions, Day One (see handouts, Discussion Board)
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Thursday, November 21: Usability Testing
Read Resume Revision handout
Submit Final version of Instructions & addendum (by end of class on ELMS) |
Week Thirteen
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Tuesday, November 26
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Week Fourteen
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Tuesday, December 3: Presentations
**We will meet in person in the following locations:
3:30 class (Section 75): ASY 3207 5:00 class (Section 81): Tawes 1107 Submit Presentation materials (Presentation Slides and Memo on ELMS: Submit Drafts by Monday, November 26, at 8PM; bring hard copy of Memo to Michelle at beginning of class) |
Thursday, December 5: Presentations
Submit Presentation materials
Submit Resume Revision (ELMS: Submit Assignments) (by 8PM) |
Week Fifteen
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Tuesday, December 10: Final Project Draft Workshop
Submit Final Project Draft (ELMS: Submit Drafts), due 1/2 hour before class begins -- see Final Project page for specifics; Responses to classmates’ drafts using Final Project worksheet (by 8PM) (ELMS)
Post Presentation Evaluation -- Classmate's version (ELMS: Submit Drafts) |
Thursday, December 12: Final Project Draft Workshop
Submit Revised Final Project draft (posted on ELMS and a hard copy brought to class); Responses to classmates’ drafts (within 24 hours) (ELMS)
Submit Presentation Evaluation -- Michelle's version with grade recommendation (hard copy) |
Week Sixteen
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Monday, December 15
Submit FINAL PROJECT (ELMS: Submit Assignments)
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