WRT333—Scientific and Technical Writing, Fall 2007
Section 5
Dr. Patrick Logan
Department of Communications Studies, URI, Kingston RI 02881
Phone: 401-874-2970; Fax: 401-874-4722
Email: mayfly@uri.edu
http://www.uri.edu/artsci/com/Logan/teaching/html/wrt333/syllabus_fall_07.htm

COURSE GOALS

The primary goal of WRT 333 is to develop skill in the presentation of scientific and technical information in specific forms and for a variety of audiences and purposes. As a URI general education "English Communication" course, we will focus on reading, research, speaking, and composition as we write about science and technology. You will improve your competence to write, to speak, and to use data. Specific outcomes include

PREREQUISITES

None. Students are expected to have attained some exposure to a core discipline in the sciences or engineering, sufficient to be used as subject matter for class assignments. I note that only about 1/3rd of this fall's class lists a science or engineering as a major, and I will adjust accordingly, but we will nonetheless maintain a focus on "scientific" and "technical."

TEXT

Based on feedback from students last year, this semester I am going to forgo dependency on a text (the one we used last year was $82 and others are more expensive) with the exception of a required purchase of the 8th edition of the Little, Brown Handbook. Although the 9th edition is current, the 8th is perfect for our purposes. I was also able to pick up 25 copies used on Amazon for about $5 each (the 9th is $63 on Amazon), including shipping. I'll make these available for purchase in class. All other materials will be based on handouts or downloadable materials available through links from this syllabus. Some of these links are available at the beginning of the semester (see below) and others will be online later in the semester.

FORMAT

We will have three weekly classes, which involve lectures, discussions, and in-class workshops. We will discuss the content and form of scientific and technical writing, developing a professional style that is correct, simple, and lucid. You will write regularly, for practice and review. Performance standards and expectations will be very high.

ATTENDANCE

The following is a policy of the College Writing Program. Given experience with too many absences in classes last year, it is also my policy. Attendance will be noted and absenses will be reflected in final grading.

The small-class environment of WRT classes makes dedicated attendance and full participation the responsibility of each and every class member. Students who miss classes are responsible for 1) explaining the absence and/or verifying its necessity; 2) getting the assignments from a classmate or me; and 3) if I agree, making up the missed work. If you notify me in advance, absences for religious holidays, athletic participation, or other university-sanctioned events are excused. I may approve other absences (for illness, accident, or personal tragedy); however, it is your responsibility to contact me—via email or a phone message—to explain your absence within 1 day of the missed class, or to provide documentation at the following class meeting. Absences that are not university-sanctioned or approved by me in advance will mean a loss of points or a deduction to the final grade. While allowance can be made for an emergency, generally, students who miss a total of three weeks of classes will fail the course.

GRADES

Grades are based on writing assignments, participation, and attendance. If you do not contribute to class discussions in a meaningful way, this may be reflected in your grade. There will be a variety of in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, both formal and informal. (details).

PLAGIARISM (academic honesty)

The following is a policy of the College Writing Program

You need to understand plagiarism and its consequences. Please consult the URI Student Handbook about academic honesty and related issues. The penalty for plagiarism is a zero for the assignment and a report to your academic dean, who has the option to fail you for the course. In addition, the charge of academic dishonesty will go on your record in the Office of Student Life. Technical Communication offers help on matters of plagiarism and how to acknowledge source material. If you need more help understanding when to cite something or how to make clear your references, please ask!

SPECIAL NEEDS

Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact me as early in the semester as possible so that we may arrange reasonable accommodations. See also, Disability Services, Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union. Phone: 401-874-2098 (for TT access call R.I. Relay at 1-800-745-5555).

SCHEDULE (Fall, 2007)

Class: WMF 11:00—11:50, 108 Tyler (moved from 314 Davis on 9/07)
Office hours: MWF, 9-12, or any non-class time if we agree in advance. (see Fall 2007 Teaching and Office Hours).

You may also wish to use the Writing Center, part of the Academic Enhancement Center on the 4th floor of Roosevelt Hall. All writers, all disciplines, all levels, and all stages of writing are appropriate for help or drop-in tutorials. Call ahead if possible (874-4690) for and appointment. (more)

Week 1 (September 5-7)

The course: Goals, syllabus, grades, assignment schedule, procedures.

Scientific Writing: We relate science to scientific writing.

Technical Writing: Technical writing is defined and some examples given. (notes)

Assignment: Assignment 1—Scientific Journals in Your Field—due September 10

Week 2 (September 10—14)

The Journal Article: The Scientific Method and Science Writing

The Technical Writer's Audience: We categorize and visualize readers. (notes)

The Process: What to Think About Before and As You Write. (notes)

Reading:

Assignment: Assignment 2—Journal Article IMRAD Structure—due September 17

Week 3 (September 17—21)

Introduction to Style and Readability: 10 most common flaws and their corrections

Reading:

Assignment: Assignment 3—Style and Readability—Due October 10.

Week 4 (September 24—28)

Nominalizations: Recognizing and revising to liberate trapped verbs and adjectives

Job-Applications: Resume and application letter; what a search committee does.

Reading and Exercises:

Assignment: Assignment 4—Resume and Job Application—Due October 19: Note that this assignment is being given early to allow students who are actually applying for jobs, graduate school, internships, etc., to greatly refine their materials. Early drafts of resumes and letters may be reviewed with the instructor before the 19th.

Week 5 (October 1—5)

More style and readability: Keys to punctuation.

Reading and Exercises from The Little, Brown Handbook:

Exercise: "The Homework Machine" (MSWord Document) (Note: this will complete the portfolio of exercises on style and readability (assignment 3), which is due in class October 10)

Week 6 (October 10—12)

(Monday, October 8, is Columbus Day and there are no classes.)

Even more abuses:

Gender Issues: Problems and Solutions from The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing

Week 7 (October 15—19)

Research Strategy: Process for developing evidence. (notes)

Definitions: describing new developments or technologies in discrete fields (notes)

Reading:

Assignment: Assignment 5—Defining Your Philosophy—Due October 22

Week 8 (October 22—26)

(October 22 is mid-semester.)

Formal Reports: An overview

Feasibility Studies: What do we propose to do and what should we consider in doing it?

Reading: handouts.

Assignment: Assignment 6—Strategic Plan—Due November 16

Week 9 (October 29—November 2)

Strategic Planning: An Introduction.

Collaboration: Leadership skills for collaborative writing

Reading:

Week 10 (November 5—9)

Preparing Data: "...the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time with the least ink in the smallest space."

Readings:

Assignment: Assignment 7—Data Presentation—Due November 14 (date change)

Week 11 (November 14—16)

(Monday, November 12, is Veteran's Day and there are no classes.)

Proposals: Selling your best ideas to the people who want to help you

Reading:

Assignment: Assignment 8—Grant Proposal—Due November 26

Week 12 (November 19—21)

(Thanksgiving recess begins November 22)

Page Design: Helping the reader with effective page layout.

Web Sites: What it takes to publish in cyberspace.

Reading:

Week 13 (November 26—30)

Oral Presentations: The speaker as writer.

Powerpoint: Suggestions for effective presentations.

Reading:

Week 14 (December 3—7)

Short Communications: Letters, memos, and email

Informal Reports: Writing informal reports; progress reports.

Evaluations: SET's and in-class discussion of what worked and didn't this semester.

Reading:

Assignment: Assignment 9—Informal Communication—Due December 10

Week 15 (December 10)

(Monday, December 10, is the last day of classes.)

Wrap-up: SET's and final feedback