WRT333-Section 1: Scientific and Technical Writing
Grades
Fall 2008
Class attendance and participation (10%)
- 1-2 misses—10%
- 3-4 misses—5%
- 5+ misses—0%
My expectations: You attend and you are up-to-date on your assignments and readings. You are prepared and you respond and contribute meaningfully to class discussions from your own initiative. Failure to be prepared or to participate enthusiastically will be regarded as being absent! It's all about communicating, folks!!
Assignments (90%)
- Scientific Journals in Your Field—10%
- Journal Article IMRAD Structure—10%
- Style and Readability—15%
- Resume and Job Application—15%
- Strategic Plan—20%
- Popular Press—10%
- Grantsmanship—5%
- Informal Communication—5%
Final Exam (optional)(10%)
The final exam will be based on class notes, discussions, and assignments. It is scheduled for May 6, 11:30-2:30. It will consist of approximately 20 questions with short (single word or sentence) answers. If you have attended class and done well on all assignments, you may elect to forgo the final. You will know your point total and grade by the last day of class. If you are going to take the final, please notify me beforehand.
Deadlines / Due Dates
You must complete all of the assigned writing projects in order to pass the course. All work produced out of class is due at the beginning of the class meeting on the date specified. Unless special arrangements have been made with me, penalties may be applied to late papers. I reserve the right to deduct 1 point from your project score for each day your assignment is late (i.e., a project worth 10% of your grade is worth 9% a day late and nothing 10 days late).
Final Exam
Tuesday, May 6, 11:30-2:30
Grading Scale
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | F |
| 93 | 90 | 87 | 83 | 80 | 77 | 73 | 70 | 67 | 63 | 59 |
Class attendance and participation
Regular attendance is expected. Much of the classroom work is mandatory for understanding and executing specific techniques and assignments. If a problem keeps you from attending class, it's important for you to remember that you are responsible for all assignments given and material presented on the days that you are absent. Also, arrive on time and plan to stay for the entire session. If you are absent, inform me beforehand if possible, or as soon afterward as your emergency situation permits. Above all, don't skip class merely because you haven't got the assignment that is due that day; come to class, plead your case, and the instructor is likely to be respectful and lenient.
Class participation means you attend and that you are up-to-date on your assignments and readings. You are expected to be prepared to respond to instructor questions and to contribute meaningfully to class discussions.
Assignments
There will be a variety of in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, both formal and informal. All assignments are due on the date scheduled. A missed class is no excuse for a late paper!!
Because this course focuses on preparing papers for varied audiences, it's important to concentrate on presentation as well. We pay special attention to document design and technical editing. Papers with obvious typos and simple bad writing reflect poor preparation. Make and take the time to proofread. You are, remember, professionals!