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Course Description

WRT 2088: Technical Writing provides an introduction to writing within technical and professional contexts. It focuses on the writing process, research methods, genres of technical writing, and professional ethics.

Satisfies the university general education requirement in the knowledge applications integration area. Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in general education or the major, not both. Prerequisite: completion of the university writing foundations requirement. 4 credits.

Course Objectives

Students in WRT 2088 will:

• become familiar with various genres of technical writing;
• come to understand the writing process by engaging in an iterative process of drafting, review, revision, and editing;
• learn methods for effective research and citation;
• understand the principles of effective visual design in technical writing, including type, layout, and color;
• gain familiarity with the digital “tools of the trade” in technical writing;
• understand the professional and ethical responsibilities of practicing technical writers; and
• learn strategies and technologies for collaborative writing.

General Education Outcomes

• Knowledge Applications. The student will demonstrate:
  • how knowledge in a field outside of the student’s major can be evaluated and applied to solve problems across a range of applications
    
  • knowledge of the personal, professional, ethical, and societal implications of these applications
• University Learning Outcomes:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Information Literacy
• Writing Intensive in General Education and in the Major. These are the eight elements of a writing intensive course:
  • Prerequisite and Cross-Cutting Capacity. Completion of the university writing foundation requirement must be a prerequisite of the course. Effective Communication must be noted on the syllabus as a crosscutting capacity for the course.
  • Percentage of Writing in Student’s Grade. One-third of a student’s grade must be based on assignments requiring substantive writing (papers, projects, reports, etc.).
  • More than One Writing Format. Writing should be integrated into the course requirements through more than one means. Some examples are written papers, laboratory reports, abstracts, quizzes, examinations, journals, ungraded writing assignments, writing during class, and writing in small groups. Examinations alone are not enough, even though they may include essay questions.
  • Critical Inquiry. The writing process and the writing assignments should emphasize critical inquiry, including gathering, interpreting, and evaluating information appropriate to the area of study.
  • Evaluation for Both Form and Content. Written work should be evaluated for format, organization, style, grammar, and punctuation as well as content.
  • Draft/Feedback/Revision. At least one writing assignment should involve revision after the instructor has provided feedback on a first draft.
  • Assignment of 500 or More Words. At least one writing assignment should be an out-of-class or lab assignment of at least 500 words.
  • Total Amount of Writing. Writing assignments may vary in number and length, but should add up to a minimum of 10 pages or 2,500 words over the semester.

Required Textbook and Readings

• Markel, Mike. Technical Communication. 11th edition. ISBN: 978-1457673375.
• Additional readings will be provided.

Course Policies

• Absences. For absences not covered by the university excused absences policy, you are allowed two absences without penalty. This includes absences due to illness, car trouble, or schedule conflict. For each absence beyond two, the student's final course grade will be lowered by 0.15. Students who miss more than six sessions of class will receuve a grade of 0.0.
• Technology. Technology excuses are generally not viable in this class. You are responsible for practicing sound data management, thoroughly testing your work before and after submission, and taking all other reasonable precautions for putting up with technology.
• Communication. You are responsible for keeping up with your oakland.edu email account and regularly checking the class Moodle site for updates to the announcements forum.
• Public use of your work. The grades you earn in WRT 2088 are confidential. However, the texts you produce in this class may be shared with your classmates as a part of our regular peer review process. You should always assume that the work you compose in this class is public, not private.
• Preferred names and pronouns. If you do not identify with the name that is listed with the registrar or prefer a certain pronoun, please notify us.
• Email queries. I am always happy to answer your questions by email, but I reserve the right not respond to questions whose answers are readily available from the course webpage, on the Moodle site, in assignment descriptions, etc.
• The writing center. The Oakland University writing center is open to OU students, faculty, and staff in all disciplines. The center offers consultants to help you develop your drafts during any stage of the writing process. Appointments may be scheduled online.
• Plagiarism. All work in this class must meet the standards of Oakland University's Academic Conduct Regulations.

Special Considerations

Students with documented disabilities should inform the professor of special needs during the first week of classes. Please contact Oakland University’s Disability Support Services office for assistance:

• Phone: (248) 370-3266
• TTY: (248) 370-3268
• Fax: (248) 370-4989
• Email: dss@oakland.edu