Technical Writing – WRIT 403
CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This introductory course helps students develop skill sets for writing for diverse audiences in various technical fields.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
Global employers need competent writers who can communicate organizational mission and processes to a variety of audiences internal and external to the organization. By developing the student’s understanding of document types, formatting, editing, audience, purpose, writing ethics, and effective argumentation, this course will provide students with technical writing fundamentals to enable them to communicate effectively in a range of workplaces.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions (3)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in three discussions, each requiring the student to provide an original post of approximately 300 words, which must demonstrate comprehension of and engagement in course content. Original posts must be well-reasoned responses to instructor questions posed, with supporting documentation from course readings, presentations, and other carefully evaluated sources. Students must cite and reference all borrowed words and ideas in original- and follow-up evaluations of other students’ postings using APA formatting. Student's must also write one 300-word evaluation to a classmate’s thread. Evaluations to other students’ postings must demonstrate critical engagement with the ideas and writing of others -- not merely nods of approval such as "good job!" (CLOs A, B, C).
Inquiry and Response Letter Assignment
The student will write a practice query to a reservation manager at a hotel for a quarterly meeting for research managers. The student will then respond to his/her own query as if he/she were the reservation manager at the hotel. (CLOs A, C, D).
Recommendation Report Assignment
The student will write a recommendation report about an upcoming research project. The report must be 10 pages long, creative, with at least 3 authoritative sources cited and referenced in current APA format. (CLOs A, B, C, D).
Memorandum Assignment
The student will write a professional memo containing negative information to the employees of a company. The memo but be professional, with all required headings, and in the "bad news format." (CLOs A, C, D).
Oral Presentation and Powerpoint Assignment
The student will create a 15-minute PowerPoint extemporaneous presentation on his/her formal recommendation report. The PowerPoint must have at least 5 slides. The student will also prepare a full outline for the presentation. (CLOs A, D, E).
Cover Letter and Resumé Assignment
The student will write a one-page Word document job application (or cover) letter for a position after graduation. The student will also include a 1–2 page resume in the same Word document. (CLOs A, C, D).
Quiz: Midterm Exam
The student will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to choose the correct answers to 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Quiz: Final Exam
The student will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to choose the correct answers to 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions.
