Fall 1997
Bruce Leland
Western Illinois University

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:

Technical Writing is the characterstic professional writing of any field or profession. It is written for a specific audience and usually involves conveying specific technical/professional information or arguments. For the first half of the course, we will work together on a series of projects. During the second half, I will work with each of you to design projects related to your discipline.

Prerequisites:

English 180 and 280

TEXTS:

• Houp, Pearsall, and Tebeaux. Reporting Technical Information (9th ed)
• Hacker. A Pocket Syle Manual
• Web sites

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Assigned readings from text and web
2. Writing projects, including:
   • Resume and letter of application
   • Unsolicited letter proposing change
   • Instructions for First Class
   • Proposal to adopt First Class at WIU
   • Technical report or proposal in your field (Including oral presentation)
   • Publication on the Web and/or Presentation software
3. Participation in First Class electronic conference
4. Faithful attendance
5. Full participation in class discussion and activities
6. Additional written or oral work as appropriate

COURSE OUTLINE:

Schedule page: Check regularly for updates. Writing assignments will be posted here.

CLASS MEETINGS

Class meets in the Simpkins Hall computer lab 321. We will take advantage of that by regularly taking time to work on projects in class. Please bring your disks to class, prepared to write. We will also use the lab for Internet research and work in First Class. On days when we don't need the computers, we will meet in 324.

If you want to know who we are: Class List

GRADING:

I don't usually grade with mathematical precision, but here is the relative weighting of the assignments:

Resume/letter: 10%
Unsolicitied letter: 10%
Instructions: 10%
Proposal: 10%
Major report/proposal/study in your discipline: 40%
Class and electronic participation: 20%

SPECIAL NEEDS:

If you have a condition which requires physical accommodation in the classroom, or which may interfere with your completion of any course requirements, please let me know at once. If illness or personal emergency prevents you from attending class at any time, please let me know by phone or email. If at any time you feel you are falling behind or failing to work up to your potential, come in to see me.

OFFICE:

DISCLAIMER:

Syllabus may be updated with written notice. All changes will be posted on the class web site.