English 308, Spring 2001 ­ Tentative Schedule

 
 
 

Note: this schedule is subject to change; you are responsible for frequently checking the version on the class web page, which will be updated when changes are necessary.

Abbreviations:

Technical Communication = Markel

A Pocket Style Manual = Hacker

Reavis Journalism Lab 2, Reavis Hall 206 = RJL2
 
 

January 16 Class orientation, icebreaker, book introduction, and syllabus overview. Fill out Student Information Sheet.	January 18 Jan Knudsen: Internship overview What is technical writing? Q Read Markel chapters 1 and 2
January 23 Ethics and Technical Writing The Writing Process Writing Collaboratively Q Read Markel chapters 3 and 4 Bring in a poor set of instructions or a misleading ad and be prepared to discuss.	January 25 Lab Day, in RJL2 Introduction to the class web page and WebBoard Evaluating webbed sources Inventory of available software
January 30 Writing Instructions and Manuals Q Read Markel, chapter 20	February 1 Lab Day, in RJL2 Evaluating instructions online. Find assignment on WebBoard.
February 6 Definitions and descriptions Q Read Markel, chapter 9	February 8 Lab Day, in RJL2 Do 8, 9 or 10 on page 248 before class and have a draft ready in electronic form for peer response. Description or instructions assigned.
February 13 Audience and purpose Q Read Markel, chapter 5 Do 2 on page 113 before class.	February 15 Lab Day, in RJL2 Persuasion Q Read Markel, chapter 6 Do 5 on page 139 before class and write sentence on each item. Work on description or instructions.
February 20 Organizing information Q Read Markel, chapter 8 Description or instructions due	February 22 Lab Day, in RJL2 Coherent Documents Q Read Markel, chapter 10 Do 3 on page 267 before class and have ready in electronic form.
February 27 Design Q Read Markel , chapter 13 Do 3 on page 356 before class and be ready to share and discuss your redesign.	March 1 Lab Day, in RJL2 Grapics Q read Markel, chapter 14 Web pages and brochures assigned.
March 6 Research Q Read Markel, chapter 7	March 8 Lab Day, in RJL2 Research workshop Choose a project from Markel, pp 179-182.
March 20 Read Hacker 196-206 Write one page before class breaking as many usage rules as you can. Small Group Instructional Diagnosis	March 22 Lab Day, in RJL2 Peer response and work day on Web pages and brochures. Be sure to have a draft of your brochure or Web page ready in electronic form to share in the lab. Q Read Markel, chapter 21
March 27 Web page or brochure due Collaborative client project assigned Q Read Markel, chapter 4 Do the case study memo on pages 87-88 before class	March 29 Lab Day, in RJL2 Research and group work on collaborative project Proposals Q Read Markel, chapter 17
April 3 Reports Q Read Markel, chapter 18 Group client project proposal due	April 5 Lab Day, in RJL2 Group work on client project and brainstorming on individual project Individual project assigned
April 10 Effective sentences Q Read Markel, chapter 11 Group project progress report due	April 12 Lab Day, in RJL2 Drafting and revision Schedule individual conference Individual project proposal due
April 17 INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES -- NO CLASS	April 19 INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES -- NO CLASS
April 24 Group client project due Peer editing in class	April 26 Lab Day, in RJL2 Individual project presentations Individual project progress report due
May 1   Individual project presentations	May 3 Individual project due Individual project presentations Fill out official course evaluation form.
May 10 Final exam scheduled 4-5:50 Draft self-assessment letter