COM104 Course Syllabus {style="text-align:center"}
COM 104: Introduction to Technical Communication {style="text-align:center"}
Fall 2010, TuTh 1:30-3:10 p.m. {style="text-align:center"}
Siegel Hall, Rm 001 {style="text-align:center"}
Course overview
This course explores the---
There are no required textbooks for this course. All readings listed on the course calendar can be found on course reserve under Smith (COM104). All other announcements and resources can be found on the course website
Contact Instructor Jane Smith by e-mail or in person:
- jsmith@iit.edu
- Office: Siegel Hall, Rm 327
- Office hours: TuTh 10-11:30 a.m. or by appointment
Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Understand key technical communication genres and the stylistic and content-related considerations of each
- Conduct audience analyses for various document genres
- Write and edit technical documents of professional quality
- Work collaboratively to write and edit business reports and manage collaborative projects
Course calendar
Date
Readings for next class
Assignments and exercises
Sept. 7
Tues.
Konrath, K. (2003). "Writing in the workplace."
Course overview
Sept. 9
Thur.
Schroeder, K. (2005). "Document structure and organization."
Genre exercise
Sept. 14
Tues.
Gutbrod, N. (2006). "Style and word choice for business writing."
E-mail exercise
Sept. 16
Thur.
Stern, J.M. (2001). "Strategies for writing reports and technical documentation."
Read your choice of white paper from epa.gov for discussion
Sept. 21
Tues.
Kirsch, A.J. (2007). "Procedural knowledge and information age."
Introduction to Project 1
Sept. 23
Thur.
Hultman, J. (2009). "Procedural documentation in gaming communities."
Lab: Group analysis of user-generated content
Sept. 28
Tues.
Find user-generated gaming procedure and bring to class
Instructions for the Web exercise
Sept. 30
Thur.
Jahn, A. (2003). "An interview-based approach to peer editing."
Workshop Project 1 in class
Oct. 5
Tues.
Project 1 Due
Oct. 7
Thur.
NO CLASS: FALL BREAK
Oct. 12
Tues.
Kuhopt, S. (2010). "Principles and methods of audience analysis."
Introduction to Audience Analysis assignment
Oct. 14
Thur.
Oct. 19
Tues.
Oct. 21
Thur.
Oct. 26
Tues.
Oct. 28
Thur.
Nov. 2
Tues.
Nov. 4
Thur.
Project 2 Due
Nov. 9
Tues.
Nov. 11
Thur.
Nov. 16
Tues.
Nov. 18
Thur.
Nov. 23
Tues.
Morissy, M. (2006). "Emerging skills in technical communication."
Speaker: Joyce Rasmussen
Nov. 25
Thur.
NO CLASS: Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 30
Tues.
Haber, P. (2009). "Communicating across cultures: Considerations---"
Lab/discussion reviewing international communication
Dec. 2
Thur.
Mirel, B. (1998). "Applied Constructivism for User Documentation."
Documentation exercise
Dec. 7
Tues.
Nielsen, J. (2000). "Ten good deeds in Web design."
Usability exercise
Dec. 9
Thur.
Reviw editing and assessment techniques
Workshop papers in class
Dec. 14
Tues.
Paper Due: Siegel Hall, Rm 001, 1:30-3:10 p.m.
Grading & project requirements
Coursework
Items
Grading
Projects
Project 1
15%
Project 2
20%
Papers
Audience Analysis
25%
White Paper
25%
Participation
In-class discussion
5%
Labs and group work
10%
- Project 1: Write a 400-word procedural writing deliverable that instructs the audience on how to accomplish a given task. Deliverables will be judged on how effectively they make use of illustrations and how thoroghly they address audience needs given stated assumptions regarding knowledge and skill-level.
- Project 2: Select a published article and edit/rewrite it for an online magazine. Deliverables will be judged on how well the address stated audience needs, the constraints of the online medium, and the style of the website.
- Audience Analysis: In 1,000 words, analyze the manner and success with which the author(s) of an article tailor the writing to the intended audience. Papers will be judged by how well they make an argument and thoroughly address content, organization, layout and visuals.
- White Paper: A 800-1,000 word white paper on submitting walkthroughs/gaming tips to a wiki or community website. Papers will be judged on mechanics, style, formatting, and how well they address the audience needs per the audience analysis.
University policies
Grading Criteria
A - Student has turned in all required components of a project, the work is exceptional in quality, and reflects the student's dedication to adjusting the project to his or her own interests.
B - Student has turned in all required components of a project and submitted work that is acceptable as graduate level.
C - Student has turned in all required components of a project, but the work is below graduate level.
E - Student has not turned in all required components of a project.
Attendance and Participation
Your attendance and active participation are required both for your own success in the class, and for the success of the class as a whole. However, if you absolutely must miss, you must contact the instructor ahead of time via email.
Academic Honesty
As with any course at IIT, you are expected to uphold the Code of Academic Honesty in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. All work for this course should be your own original effort, including print and digital page design and computer code. Summarizations and quotations of text, as well as any use of open source code libraries and images not of your own making, should be clearly cited as legally and ethically warranted and rhetorically appropriate.
If you are at all uncertain as to whether you are submitting work that in whole or in part may violate the Code of Academic Honesty, please contact me immediately and before the work is due. The consequences of academic dishonesty are severe. Any student who violates the Code of Academic Honesty will be subject to expulsion from this course with a failing grade, and I will report the student to the Chair of the Department of Humanities and the Associate Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs, who may take additional disciplinary action.
Special Needs Statement
Students who have any difficulty (either permanent or temporary) that might affect their ability to perform in class should contact me privately, either in person or via email, at the start of the semester. Methods, materials, or deadlines will be adapted as required to ensure equitable participation.