English 218: Technical and Professional Writing

Course Calendar: Fall 2015

Amanda Richey
*subject to change at instructors discretion

Special Note: Unless noted, all assignments are due on the last day of the module, by the end of class.
You will not always have time to work on your assignments during class time on that last day of the
module, but you will almost certainly have time to work on all or some of your documents during class
time throughout the module. All assignments are designated either as individual or group work; at
module four and for all modules thereafter, group may be completed either in pairs or trios or by
yourself.
*All academic work is held to a high level of rigor; sources must be identified and cited in proper APA
citation. If in doubt, please ask, but I would rather see over-citation than under-citation.
Module 1: 8/31 - 9/10
Read: Chapters 1, 2, & 7, Rise of the New Groupthink article (NYTimes.com)
Assignments (Individual):
1. Introduction and Area of Study memo:
a. Introduction (part one): Write a memo introducing yourself to me. As your
instructor, consider what I need to know about you: goals, classroom/
educational needs, etc. Be specific but be careful of not crossing the line of too
much information.
b. Area of Study (part two): Explain your area of study, why you chose it, and the
learning outcomes for your degree program. You will need to refer to the JCC
website to list the specific learning outcomes for your program. Be sure to cite
your source accurately.
c. This memo has a one page limit. Follow the standards of memos discussed in
chapter 7. Though your textbook discusses using templates, I prefer
correspondence (letters and memos) that are not made using a template.
Please format this document on your own. (100 points)
2. In-class group work: In groups of 2 3, complete the following assignments. Yes, you
must work in groups. (50 points each)
*Complete the assignments following memo format, as opposed to email, or other
formats, indicated in your text. Address memo to Amanda Richey, Instructor; From:
all student names in the group (first and last, please)
a. Case Study (pp. 23-24)
b. Web Workshop (p. 27)
c. Individual and Team Projects #2 (p. 47)
3. Quiz covering chapters 1, 2, & 7. Due date: Sunday, 9/6 by midnight EST. Quizzes are
generally taken out of class, by a specific date. You may use notes, text, PPTs, etc. You

Richey, Technical Writing, Course Calendar Fall 2015

may NOT use each other. If I suspect cheating, all participants will receive a zero. (100
points)
4. Extra Credit Memo: How does technical writing differ from academic writing? Be very
specific. Your memo should be at least page, but no longer than one page. (20 Extra
Credit points)
Module 2: 9/14 - 9/24
Read: Chapters 3, 4, & 19
Assignments:
1. Individual assignments:
a. Avoiding Sexist Language # 1 and Achieving Audience Involvement #1 (p.
107) Present your revisions in the same memo, addressed to Amanda Richey,
Instructor. (50 points)
b. Case Study #2 (p. 527).Present your findings in memo format, addressed to
Amanda Richey, Instructor. No longer than one page; follow memo conventions
discussed in the previous module. Do NOT use a template. (100 points)
2. Group assignment by major: Creating a PowerPoint Slide Presentation (p. 528)
a. For this assignment, you will be completing two portions: the first this week, and
the second in the Group Work section listed for module 3.
b. This week, you are selecting the issue you would like and creating a
presentation that designates why this is an issue. You may talk about youth
violence, drug policies, violence against women, etc. For human services, you
may discuss ethical concerns with communication or theories that are
problematic in the field. You can really discuss any area you would like, but you
must have a specific issue that you can research.
c. You should have some cursory research completed (at least 2 sources) and cite
as needed in your presentation.
d. You may use PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, Haikudeck, etc. You will email these
documents to me; depending on class size, you may present to the group. You
should have around 10-15 slides. Consider the level of information possible in
this presentation. Please use the speaker notes function, so I can see how you
would expand on what you present in the slide. (100 points)
3. Quiz covering chapters 3, 4, 19 Due date: Sunday, 6/20 by midnight EST. (100 points
point value subject to change)
4. Extra Credit memo: Web Workshop (p. 109). Choose only ONE country to discuss
concerning their cultural traits and business practices. Present findings in memo format.
No more than one page. (20 Extra Credit points)

Richey, Technical Writing, Course Calendar Fall 2015

Module 3: 9/28 - 10/8

Read: Chapters 5, 6, & 16
Assignments:
1. Individual assignment: Problem-Solving Think Pieces #1: Using Corporate-Owned
Equipment (p. 127). Write a memo justifying your responses. Be sure to use evidence
from the chapter and cite properly. (100 points)
2. Group work: Individual and Team Projects #2 (p. 148). Due date: last day of module at
the end of class. In groups of 2 3 with like majors, write an informal research report
discussing a technical topic in your field. This is the same issue from the module 2
group assignment. This may be an issue that commonly arises in your career field; you
do not need to diagnose how to fix the problem, but should research the problem
itself, for example:
a. What is the problem?
b. Why does it seem to occur?
c. Who is impacted?
d. How does it affect your career field?
(Expectation: 1,300 - 1,600 words with at least 3 sources, in-text citations and reference
page, from those with credence in your field)
Refer to later chapters (16 & 17) to help you with headings, information to be included,
how to cite, etc. (250 points)
3. Quiz covering chapters 5, 6, 16 Due date: Sunday, 10/4 by midnight EST. (100 points)
4. Extra Credit memo: Web Workshop #1 (p. 149). Write your response in memo format.
Remember that we are not using templates to create memos. (20 Extra Credit points)
Module 4: 10/13 (Tuesday) - 10/22
Read: Chapters 10, 12
Assignments: From here on, all work designated for groups may be completed in groups (2-3)
or individually.
1. Group work: Web Workshop (p. 263) Choose three websites to analyze their visual
communication techniques; please remember that these should be corporate sites. You
should format this document in memo format, addressed to Amanda Richey, Instructor.
Length of document: 600-800 words. (100 points)
2. Individual Assignment: Case Study (p. 320) Read the Case study and choose the
appropriate form of communication to make your point. (100 points)
3. Quiz covering chapters 10 & 12 Due date: Sunday, 6/28 by midnight EST. (100 points)
4. Extra Credit: Case Studies #3 (p. 261) Complete the assignment in memo format, as
shown; please insert your name into a header for the document. (20 Extra Credit points)
*Hereafter, there is no possibility for Extra Credit. Please be sure you utilize the opportunities you have
at the start of the term.

Richey, Technical Writing, Course Calendar Fall 2015

Module 5: 10/26 - 11/5

Read: Chapter 9
Assignments:
1. Individual Assignments:
a. Web Workshop #1 (p. 241) Write a memo to discuss job openings/
opportunities in your field. This could be internship opportunities, or those that
require further schooling. Your memo should discuss at least three different
openings, including the details of the company, location, job requirements, etc.
(100 points)
b. Letter of Application: You are to find a job in your field for which you will be
qualified when you finish your degree program. You must find a job in the field
you are studying. In the past, people have chosen internship opportunities,
which is fine (100 points)
c. Resume: Your objective should reflect the position for which youre applying.
While you may not be leaving your current position soon, I want you to
understand the formatting and layout of the resume. Please do not use a
template. (100 points)
2. Group Work: Resume/Cover Letter Tips. Create a slide presentation with a partner
covering the top tips you could give someone about creating a resume and/or cover
letter. Choose your target audience and think about what that group of people most
needs to know about creating one or both of these documents. Audience must be
evident on the first slide. Provide source references where needed. You must have at
least 10 slides. (100 points)
3. Quiz covering chapter 9 Due date: Sunday, 11/1 by midnight EST. (100 points)
Module 6: 11/9 - 11/24
Read: Chapters 11 & 14
Assignments:
1. Group Work:
a. Case Studies #1 (pp. 289-290). Create both visual aids and present in memo
format indicating why you chose each visual. (50 points)
b. Problem-Solving Think Pieces #2 & #3 (p. 292) (25 points each)
2. Individual assignments: Individual and Team Projects #1 (p. 372) Due date: last day of
module at the start of class.
a. Choose a topic for which you can show enthusiasm and has a process involved.
You may choose a topic from your field of study or just one that interests you.
Use the examples for the chapter to understand depth of topic.
b. You should have a table of contents, at least two illustrations/visuals, an
introduction, any needed materials, the actual procedure/instructions, and a
glossary, if applicable.
c. Proper citation of at least three (3) sources is expected. Length expectation:
1300 - 1600 words. (250 points)
3. Quiz covering chapters 11 & 14 Due date: Sunday, 11/22 by midnight EST. (100 points)

Richey, Technical Writing, Course Calendar Fall 2015

Module 7: 11/30 - 12/14

Read: Ch. 8 & 15
Assignments:
1. Individual Assignments: Problem-Solving Think Pieces #1 (p. 398 - 399) For this
website, organization of ideas will be the major grading component. Since you are
given the details, I will be looking for how you present the information. Consider using
images and even videos (providing appropriate sources). (200 points)
2. Final project (capstone): Web Workshop #2: Analyzing audience recognition Due
date: 12/14 by the end of class.
a. Using the criteria explained on page 399, write a report in which you discuss
how each company successfully recognizes and caters to a specific audience.
There are three sites provided for you: McDonalds, The Gap, and HarleyDavidson. You must select an additional website to discuss and should be
focused on a hobby you follow: sports, dance, woodworking, underwater basket
weaving, etc. It could be anything!
b. Choose an informal report to discuss how each website involves and recognizes
their unique audience. What logical, emotional, and ethical appeals are used?
How do still visuals and videos enhance the site? In what way do they
specifically enhance it?
c. Use the information not only from Chapters 10 and 15 on Document Design and
Website development, but also the chapters discussing audience analysis and
needs, as well as other chapters from our text.
d. You should format this as an informal report, so please be sure you reference
Chapter 16 and have all the necessary parts. This functions as our capstone, so I
am looking for you to deeply analyze the websites according to what you know
a website should be and why it should be that way.
e. Expectation: 1,500 - 1,700 words with at least two (2) additional sources
(besides the four (4) websites), in-text citations and reference page, from those
with credence in your field. (300 points)