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COM 310-003 Technical Communication ---- Fall Quarter 2016

UPDATED 9/19/16
Dr. Pamela Poe Email: pzp23@drexel.edu OR ppoeprof@gmail.com
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 am 12:20 pm (September to December, 2016)
Course Location: Peck PSRC room 215
Office Hours: 2:00-3:00pm in Peck PSRC Lounge 2nd floor OR by appointment
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication. 3.0 Credits.
Catalog Course Description: Develops skills in communicating technical information. Focuses on writing
letters, resumes, proposals, reports, and instructions. Offers extensive writing practice along with exercises and
presentations. This is a writing intensive course. Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit.
Technical professionals are expected to work with information, translate it for a variety of audiences, and be
able to demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills appropriate to a wide array of
multidisciplinary teams. Memos, letters, proposals, agreements, reports, emails and even texting or instant
messaging require professional writing skills in any business environment. This course will help you to develop
and hone skills for technical communication, and tailor your communication messages to specific audiences. This
is a writing-intensive class and students should expect to do in-class and assigned written homework each
week of the term.
TEXTBOOK (Required)
Markel, Mike. (2015). Technical Communication. 11th Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
ISBN: 978-1-4576-8847-8.
The 10th edition of this book is also acceptable but you are responsible for translating pages and sections assigned in
the 11th edition. Your textbook is an important asset for this class, so you will be expected to read the assigned
chapters in time for each class discussion, and be prepared to turn in all written assignments at the start of class.
Style Guides: I commonly use the APA format that is used for the social sciences, but there are also other
formats you may require in our textbook. Please see the handbook section in our textbook (starting on p.
605) or consult the online APA manual at this web address: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, students will be expected to demonstrate competence in the following areas of
technical communication:
Prepare business emails, business letters, memoranda, and other professional documents;
Determine target audiences and conduct an audience analysis for specific target markets;
Work collaboratively on a team project with specified duties and accomplishments;
Be able to write job application materials and proposals;
Understand how to craft informational reports, lab reports, recommendations and clear instructions.
Use effective processes of persuasive communication, with attention to ethics for audiences;
Use online resources correctly and effectively, with crediting of all sources.
Create and present oral briefings using visual aids.

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Written Assignments
All graded work, including papers, bring-in assignments, and written documents must be submitted and graded via
Drexels Blackboard Learn website. Final projects are also required in professional printed format. Please name your
document as follows: Com310_StudentName_assignmentname.doc (e.g. Com310_PPoe_groupproposal.doc).
Be sure to use .docx or .doc formats so that I am able to read your documents. Email is a good way to contact me
with any questions, but I am unable to grade documents via email.
Disability Services
Student with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel University need to present a current
accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVLs are issued by the
Office of Disability Services (ODS). For additional information, contact ODS at www.drexel.edu/ods, 3201 Arch
St., Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215.895.1401 (V), or 215.895.2299 (TTY).
Grading Scale (%)
97-100 A+, 93-96 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 84-86 B, 80-83 B-,
77-79 C+, 74-76 C, 70-73 C-, 67-69 D+, 64-66 D, 60-63 D-, 59 or lower F.
Course Policies
For guidance on avoiding plagiarism and practicing ethical scholarly conduct, please see:
Drexel Academic Dishonesty Policy http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
Drexel Academic Honesty Policy http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/judicial/honesty.html
Attendance Policy Due to the nature of this course, it is strongly encouraged that students attend class regularly,
participate in meetings, discussions, related activities and in-class workshops. Please get in touch with your instructor
immediately in the event of adverse circumstances, and keep a copy of the course calendar handy for referrals.
Note that Drexels new drop/add policy now allows only one week. Please consult the following website for more
information on Drexels course policies:
Drexel Course Drop Policy
http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/s/course_drop.asp
ASSIGNMENTS: GRADING AND EVALUATION
The grade you earn is based on a score of 500 maximum points. The assignments required during the term are as
follows, and will be discussed in detail in class. Late work is unacceptable, except in unavoidable or special
circumstances. Please contact your instructor immediately, if you experience difficulties with completing an
assignment. Plan on completing one assignment every week or so.

Class attendance and participation

10 % (50 points)
Instructional Group Project: Proposal
10 % (50 points)
Resume and cover letter (or letter of interest)
15 % (75 points)
Instructional Group Progress Report
10% (50 points)
Informational Interview
15 % (25 points)
Group Oral Briefing and Written Report (indiv. gr.) 30 % (150 points)
Final Essay: Technical Writing Specialties
10 % (125 points)

Weeks 1-10
Week 3
Week 5
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10

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GRADED ITEMS IN DETAIL:
Class attendance and participation: This grade is based on in-person attendance, online discussions, and oral
or written class participation. Points are awarded for each class session attended. (You cannot earn points if
you are not present, regardless of the reason). This grade includes oral and written peer reviews and
participation in class discussions and practice sessions.
Job application cover letter with resume (OR letter of interest, if no opening currently exists): Using material covered in
class, you will draft a cover letter or letter of interest targeted to a specific employer and provide your
resume for a future opening that demonstrates your professional abilities for a company in your selected
industry. Use company materials posted online to conduct research and match your interests to the job.
Informational Interview: As soon as possible, try to locate someone who uses technical writing on a regular
basis. The best people are often quite busy, so allow several weeks to complete this assignment. Prepare
10 good questions, and schedule an informational interview that you may conduct in person, by phone or
by Skype on technical writing in the workplace. Bring your findings to class and post a 1-2 page typed
summary report. Include the name of your interview subject, their title and workplace, a description of the
industry, and a summary of your findings. Optional provide brief notes on any other leads or information
gained for future use! CAUTION Have a back-up plan, in case your first choice is unavailable.
Instructional Group Project:
Group Proposal: After in-class introductions, carefully consider possible group members for a
2-4 person instructional group project that would be appropriate for your career interests. Schedule
meetings and make use of in-class opportunities to draft a proposal that states: client, purpose or mission,
group members and roles, targeted audiences, and potential outcomes for your project. Be sure to clarify
each group members responsibilities for the project and include a weekly timeline until your project is due.
Each group will develop a topic and prepare a 1-2 page proposal for a 6-8-page instruction manual.
Oral Presentation: During your assigned class slot, your group will present the resulting education
project as if this were a client briefing on results achieved to date. The rest of the class will participate as
peer evaluators to analyze strengths and weaknesses, offering possible solutions as fellow colleagues.
Written Report: Each group member will earn an individual grade based on the specific work they have
written and posted on Blackboard Learn. Each group will print, bind and turn in one copy of the resulting
project. The document should be professional in appearance and include appropriate visuals and references.
Be sure to correctly credit all visuals and materials used for research or literature reviews, using APA format.
You will be asked to grade the efforts of each team member, including details such as participation
and attendance at group meetings. This will be the final page of your online submission, and is a
professional assessment similar to a job ratings review: + strengths - weak areas suggestions.
Final Essay: This brief 1-2 page essay should include reflections on your technical writing specialties, areas
for improvement with individual plan, desired clients and any other areas of interest that emerged or were
strengthened as a result of class activities during the term. The essay should be posted for grading on
Blackboard Learn. This online document will reflect professional use of language, and indicate an honest selfappraisal similar to a periodic review conducted during professional employment.

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CLASS SCHEDULE: COM 310.003 Technical Communication* (*All work is due by start of class)
Please Note: Instructor reserves the right to vary schedule as needed.
WK 1:
Introduction

9/20 Introductions, syllabus, textbook and handbook (p. 605). Identify projects and topic areas.
9/22 Markel Ch. 1: Introduction to Technical Communication. Practice find report designs.

WK 2:
Collaborate

9/27 Markel Ch 3: Writing Technical Documents. Group assignments and due dates.
9/29 Markel Ch.4: Collaborative Writing. Initial group meeting, timeline and selected roles.

WK 3:
Proposals

10/4 ON YOUR OWN Read Markel Ch. 16: Writing Proposals for helpful suggestions and
format tips. Work on individual report and writing goals. Draft proposal with your group.
10/6 In-Class Briefing; Submit group proposal on Bb Learn (one representative).
Markel Ch. 5: Audience Analysis, web exercise and analysis exercise for three audiences.

WK 4:
Research

10/11 Markel Ch. 6. Researching Your Subject. Credibility and crediting your sources.
10/13 Markel Ch. 2: Ethical and Legal Issues. Complete Web Exercise with in-class report.

WK 5:
Correspond

10/18 Markel Ch. 14: Writing Correspondence. Bring a job opening + company information.
10/20 Markel Ch. 15: Writing Job Application Materials. Submit letter and resume online.

WK 6:
Reports

10/25 Markel Ch. 17: Writing Informational Reports. In-class group meetings.
10/27 Markel Ch. 18: Writing Recommendation Reports. In-class Q & A session.

WK 7:
Prep Tips

11/01 ON YOUR OWN: Schedule team meeting, review progress report elements.
11/03 Submit Progress Report online. Briefing by appointment with instructor.

WK 8:

11/15 Post report on informational interview. Bring your findings to class for sharing with
colleagues in an informal briefing. Next steps and lessons learned in-class discussion.
11/17 Markel Ch 21: Preparing an oral presentation. Checklists pp. 602-604. Ch. 10: Editing.

WK 9:

11/8 Teams 1 & 2. Group presentations due. Bring bound print copy and post your own
section(s) online. Peer evaluations completed in class.
11/10 Teams 3, 4 & 5. Group presentations due. Bring bound print copy and post your own
section(s) online. Peer evaluations completed in class.

Thanksgiving Week (11/22) ON YOUR OWN:

WK 10:

11/29 Workshop: Preparation of final essays

12/1 Final Essays due online with briefings in class. Dear Dr. Poe letters (extra credit).