Technical and Scientific Writing (HU333)

Some objectives of this course:

• Learn methods of audience analysis.
• Learn methods of information gathering.
• Learn about specific information products and when to use them: reports, memos, resumes, instruction manuals, graphics, presentations, Web pages, tutorials, brochures, technical data sheets, and more.
• Learn how to apply all of the above to produce professional information products that address the needs of your audience and that accomplish your objectives.
• Learn how to test your information products to verify that they satisfy the needs of your audience in effective, efficient, eloquent, and ethical ways.

If possible, we will host guest speakers to join us to speak on a topic related to a particular weekly theme. We have many talented professionals on campus whose expertise can only enhance your understanding of a particular theme.

I will be placing additional required readings on reserve in the library. You can photocopy them, but this is not required. If you don't photocopy the articles, take lots of notes when you read them. You will be expected to discuss them in class. Here are the bibliographic citations. You'll read only a few chapters from each book.

Hoft, Nancy L. International Technical Communication. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.

King, Janice M. Writing High-Tech Copy that Sells. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.

Nielsen, Jakob. Usability Engineering. Boston: AP Professional Press, 1993.

Rubin, Jeffrey. Handbook of Usability Testing. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1994.

Spool, Jared M. Web Site Usability. North Andover: User Interface Engineering, 1997.

• It is likely that I will change the syllabus throughout the quarter, and I reserve the right to do so at any time. I will always give you reasonable notice. Announcements will be made in class and on our class listserver.
  
  
• I failed the mind reading test. If there's something you want to talk about, you need to let me know!
  
  
• If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at MTU, please call Dr. Gloria Melton, Associate Dean of Students, at 906.487.2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor or department chair. You can also contact the Affirmative Action Office at 906.487.3310.

• Readings, as listed in the table of assignments, are assigned on the day you are expected to discuss them in class.
  
  
• I expect you to strive for developing high-quality information products. Being able to define high-quality information product is something you should be able to do by the end of the quarter.
  
  
• I expect you to meet with me in conference to discuss most of your assignments. I'll be establishing a schedule for each of you to meet with me throughout the quarter. Feedback is very much a part of developing high-quality information products. I encourage you to solicit feedback on your assignments from others in the class.
  
  
• Email access and its daily reading is required. We will have a listserver for the class. I will use it to post changes to the syllabus, to make announcements, to clarify what you should do in case we have a snow day and school is cancelled, and so on.
  
  
• Any written hardcopy assignments must be developed using word processing software of some kind.

I will not assign individual grades to your assignments, but I will give you written feedback on everything you do. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of my office hours often by reviewing my written feedback with me in conference for all of your assignments, even if we agree that you've done a great job. If you wish to receive additional feedback on your writing by others, please just let me know! Professional writers solicit feedback from many, many people and your request wouldn't be unreasonable at all. I will do my very best to arrange for a peer review of your writing, a review by my peers, or even a review by faculty from the Humanities department.

Attendance, however, will definitely affect your grade. MTU has a policy about excused absences (see "Attendance Policy," Student Handbook. If have more than one unexcused absence, you can expect to see less of a grade than you expect.

I will meet with each of you individually during the fifth week of classes. Before our conference, you should assign yourself a grade and write a justification for that grade. Bring your justification with you to the conference and be prepared to negotiate. I may not agree with your grade and your justification, but I will tell you so and explain where we are in disagreement. You can ask me at any point in the quarter for my feedback on how you're doing in class. You should plan on developing another written justification of your final grade at the end of the quarter. It should reflect my feedback on your first justification and indicate how you've progressed.

You can revise and solicit my feedback on any assignment you do as often as you wish (within reason, please-I'm a student, too) until the end of the quarter. You can also consider using this class to combine your writing assignments from other classes, but you must get my permission and permission from the other instructor beforehand.

There are many factors that I will consider when assigning you a grade:

• Attendance.
• Class participation - your questions are just as important as your observations.
• Individual progress over the ten-week quarter.
• Demonstrated understanding of concepts presented in class and in readings.
• Successful application of these concepts to your assignments.
• Attention to quality and professional standards in your assignments, behavior, and class participation.
• Sensitivity to deadlines. Deadlines are adult baggage. We all have them and hate them.

1. Personal Profile
2. Teach Nancy Statistics
3. Memo to Dr. Stone
4. Personal Press Kit
5. The Wildcard