Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Studies in Technical Writing investigates the theories and principles of the technical communication field. It emphasizes the effective document design of technical information from the perspective of subject matter experts whose writing is a component of, but does not define, their job descriptions. Topics include rhetorical analysis, writing processes, and specific communicative purposes such as instruction and/or presentation.
What does this mean? Simply put, this course is for anyone who has technical writing as a part of his/her job; however, it is not the major task. Writing done on the job may not be called technical writing, but, in fact, it is.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and MyCourses, a computer conferencing program. MyCourses requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
none
Instructor
Linda Adkins, Instructor, English Language and Literature
Evaluation
11 assignments
Overview
Because this is a Guided Independent Study course, it will be impossible to do oral presentations. We will, however, read about oral presentations and have an assignment to go along with this chapter. In addition, we will read about writing collaboratively, but it cannot be accomplished easily in a GIS course.
The purpose of this course will be met through four major objectives:
1. Understand the importance of technical writing.
2. Plan successful documents.
3. Develop and evaluate verbal and visual information.
4. Learn and develop different applications of technical communication.
Each of these objectives is divided into specific areas; as you go through the textbook, you will understand what they are.
In your job, the technical documents you write are to be written for a specific audience and for a specific purpose. They represent you. If they are sloppily written, are not easily understood, and are not neat in appearance, people will transfer these characteristics to you. The saying “you don’t have a second chance to make a first impression” applies to your writing.
Course Organization
Written Assignments: Each of the eleven written assignments is composed of a series of activities from the Markel textbook. Type written assignments using a word processing program and save as a file. If you are using a word processing program other than Microsoft Word, then please save the file as Rich Text Format. Submit your assignments to the Assignments tool.
Time Allocation: Please allow plenty of time to read the material and do the assignment. For most of the chapters, you will need more than an hour to do the reading and complete the assignment. Set a regular schedule for doing the work for this class—don’t wait and try to get it done at one time. Also, submit one chapter assignment at a time.
Extra Credit Work: There are three extra credit assignments available in this course. You may choose one or two of them to do—do not submit all three. The extra credit assignments are from three different chapters and may be submitted after you have completed the required chapter assignment, submitted it, and received the graded assignment. The latest you may submit extra credit work is before submitting Assignment 11. Type extra credit assignments using a word processing program and save as files. If you are using a word processing program other than Microsoft Word, then please save the file as Rich Text Format. Submit your extra credit assignments to the Assignments tool. Each extra credit assignment is worth 100 points.
Grading
UNI Guided Independent Study requires students to complete all assignments to receive a grade in the course.
| Assignment 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) | 200 pts. |
| Assignment 2 (Chapters 3 & 4) | 175 pts. |
| Assignment 3 (Chapters 5, 6, &7) | 350 pts. |
| Assignment 4 (Chapters 8 & 9) | 250 pts. |
| Assignment 5 (Chapters 10 & 11) | 300 pts. |
| Assignment 6 (Chapters 12 & 13) | 200 pts. |
| Assignment 7 (Chapter 14) | 200 pts. |
| Assignment 8 (Chapter 16) | 400 pts. |
| Assignment 9 (Chapters 17 & 18) | 250 pts. |
| Assignment 10 (Chapters 19 & 20) | 475 pts. |
| Assignment 11 (Chapters 21 & 22) | 200 pts. |
| Total | 3000 pts. |
Each extra credit assignment submitted is worth up to 100 points. Remember: If you do extra credit work, submit one or two assignments only.
A = 2700 – 3000
B = 2400 – 2699
C = 2100 – 2399
D = 1800 – 2099
F = 1799 & below
A = Superior work that follows the instructions, is well written, and contains very few (if any) errors. This writing exceeds expectations.
B = Highly competent work that is above expectations, follows the instructions, is written well, and contains few errors.
C = While this is competent writing, it lacks quality in execution. There are enough errors in the work that it takes away from its purpose and distracts the reader. Just barely follows the instructions.
D = Somewhat competent writing that does not follow all the instructions. Too many errors occur. Unclear meaning causes the reader to be confused.
F = Unacceptable work that does not follow the instructions. The writing is unprofessional and contains numerous errors that show the writer did not revise and edit the work.
Academic Ethics
Students at the University of Northern Iowa are required to observe the commonly accepted standards of academic honesty and integrity. Except in those instances in which group work is specifically authorized by the instructor of the class, no work which is not solely the student’s is to be submitted to a professor in the form of an examination paper, a term paper, class project, research project, or thesis project.
Cheating of any kind on examinations and/or plagiarism of papers or projects is strictly prohibited. Also, unacceptable are the purchase of papers from commercial sources, using a single paper to meet the requirement of more than one class (except in instances authorized and considered appropriate by the professors of the two classes), and submission of a term paper or project completed by any individual other than the student submitting the work. Students are cautioned that plagiarism is defined as the process of stealing or passing off as one’s own the ideas or words of another, or presenting as one’s own an idea or product which is derived from an existing source.
The entire Academic Ethics Policy is on UNI’s web site. I recommend you read the complete policy.
Textbook(s)
Required Texts:
Markel, M. (2010). Technical communication. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Because this is the main textbook for this course, become familiar with it by looking through the front of the book, the table of contents, and the appendices at the back. Look at the chapters and see how they are organized.
Dictionary. You will need a good dictionary that provides you with more than a short definition of the words. I use a good paperback dictionary that has over 70,000 entries. If I can’t find the information in it, I go to a collegiate dictionary. The paperback dictionary is great for carrying around with me; however, the collegiate dictionary may be more appropriate for you. The choice of which dictionary to use is yours.
Recommended Text:
Hacker, D. (2007). A writer’s reference (6th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins. Because the appendices of your textbook offer information about taking notes, documenting sources, and editing and proofreading, I am not requiring that you purchase a handbook. If you would like a resource that contains more information than that offered in the appendices in the textbook, I recommend this handbook.
Texts are available from www.bookfinder.com
University Book and Supply carries most books used in guided independent study.
To search for textbooks by course, click on "Select a Campus Term" and select Univ.Northern Iowa - Guided Independent Study
Visit the store at 1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
Other Information:
DrGrammar.org is a good web site to go to for grammar, usage, mechanics, and documentation help.
The Purdue OWL (online writing lab) has an APA Formatting and Style Guide as well as help with grammar, usage, and mechanics. (http://owl.english.purdue.edu)
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu