ENGL-2311 Technical and Business Writing

Mark Steinbach

Credit Spring 2024

Section(s)

ENGL-2311-017 (75375)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

Course Requirements

Writing Projects

Points

Homework

Points2

Explanation Memo

10

Document Organization

2

Plain Language Revision

6

Explanation Critique

2

Complaint Letter

10

Business Letter Critique

3

Summary Document

10

Engagement Report Critique

3

Oral Presentation

13

Oral Presentation Review

2

Policy and Procedure Document

20

Policy and Procedure Memo

2

 

 

Plain Language Exercise 1

2

 

 

Plain Language Exercise 2

2

 

 

Plain Language Exercise 3

2

 

 

Policy Writing Exercise

2

 

 

H, D, C, and S Quiz

1

 

 

Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz

1

 

 

Comma Quiz

1

 

 

Problem Modifier Quiz

1

 

 

Parallelism Quiz

1

 

 

Discussion Board Posts 

4

 

 

 

 

Total

69

Total

31
       
   

Course Total

100

Readings

The texbook for this course is a free, online text

Online Technical Writing by David McMurrey

 

Course Subjects

Module 1: Audience Analysis and Writing Process

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Analyze an audience, and write effective technical and business documents for that audience

 

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

 

 

Revise a document for appropriate organization and audience needs.

Apply document formatting conventions. 

Apply correct comma usage.

Online Technical Writing: About Technical Writing; Audience Analysis; Introductions

 

Writing Process and Audience Analysis; Comma Usage; Document Formatting

Document Organization Exercise

Self-Introduction Post

Comma Quiz

 

(One week)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 2: Description and Definition

 

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Write a technical report that focuses on a specific real or real-life situation requiring a report, that addresses a real or realistic audience's needs and background.

 

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

 

 

 

Evaluate and critique of an expository document.

 

Compose an explanatory memo on a technical subject.

 

Apply correct hyphen, dash, colon, and semicolon usage

 

 

 

 

Online Technical Writing: Definition; Description; Translating Technical Discussions

 

Definition; Description; Explanation Techniques;

Hyphens, Dashes, Colons, and Semicolons;

 

Explanation Document Critique

Explanation Memo

Hyphen, Dash, Colon, and Semicolon Quiz

 

 

(Two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 3: Plain Language

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

Revise documents for readability and plain language.

 

Online Technical Writing: Power Revision;

Federal Plain Language Guidelines, Section III

 

Plain Language I;

Plain Language II;

Plain Language III

Plain Language Exercise I

Plain Language Exercise II

Plain Language Exercise III

Plain Language Revision Project

Plain Language Discussion Board Post

 

(two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 4: Business Letters

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Write a complaint letter that calmly and professionally requests compensation for a bad product or service and that is well-designed as a business letter.

 

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

 

Critique a business letter for appropriate tone and content.

 

Compose a business letter making a complaint about a product or service.

 

Apply correct modifier placement.

Online Technical Writing: Business Letters

 

Business Letters and Tone; Problem Modifiers;

 

Business Letter Critique

Complaint Letter

Problem Modifier Quiz

Complaint Letter Discussion Board Post

 

(Two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 5: Technical Reports and Summaries

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

Write a satisfactory formal technical report that focuses on a specific real or real-life situation

 

 

Apply principles of parallel construction

 

Compose an abstract or summary document for a technical report

Online Technical Writing: Technical Reports

Austin Light Rail Community Engagement Report

Technical Reports and Summaries; Parallelism

Summary Document

Community Engagement Report Critique

Parallelism Quiz

Community Engagement Report Discussion Board Post

(two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 6: Oral Presentations

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

Create an oral report

 

 

Write and deliver a Powerpoint on a technical topic.

 

Apply principles of subject-verb agreement.

 

Critique an oral presentation.

Online Technical Writing: Oral Presentations

Oral Presentations;

 

Oral Presentation Review

Oral Presentation

Oral Presentation Discussion Board Post

 

(two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 7: Policy and Procedure Documents

Course Level Outcomes

Module Level Objectives

Read

Watch

Do

 

Employ the appropriate aims of discourse in technical and business contexts.

 

Write a satisfactory set of instructions that use headings, lists, illustrations, and notices competently

 

 

Write a policy and procedure document for a business setting

 

Revise policy and instructions for precision and plain language

 

Write a memo proposing a policy and procedure topic.

Online Technical Writing: Standard Operating Policies and Procedures

Online Technical Writing: Headings

 

Policy and Procedure Documents I;

Policy and Procedure Documents II;

Policy and Procedure Documents III;

Document Design, Headings

Policy Writing Exercise

Policy and Procedure Document Proposal Memo

Policy and Procedure Document Project

(two, three weeks)

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

This course is an introduction to technical writing. It is intended primarily for people entering the Technical Communications Program at Austin Community College and for people in other majors in which writing- and oral-presentation skills are essential. This course challenges students

  • to demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation;
  • to define audience and purpose; to employ descriptive, expository, narrative, scientific modes of expression in technical communications (written, visual, and oral);
  • to employ descriptive, expository, narrative, scientific modes of expression in technical communications (written, visual, and oral);
  • to participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening and responding as well as critical thinking;
  • to apply principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development of technical documents;
  • to research and write technical documents and to give oral presentations on technical subject matters.

Office Hours

S 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Online or by appointment

NOTE

Office Hours

S 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Online or by appointment

NOTE

Published: 01/06/2024 13:11:46