...Course Syllabus SCBSIT0810 Technical Writing Fundamentals: ENG 221 Course Start Date: 03/08/2011 Course End Date: 04/05/2011 Campus/Learning Center: Schaumburg Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy reference. Whenever there is a question about what assignments are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling document. Copyright Copyright ©2009 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. University of Phoenix© is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft©, Windows©, and Windows NT© are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix© editorial standards and practices. Facilitator Information Susan Smillie smillies@email.phoenix.edu (University of Phoenix) srsmillie@yahoo.com (Personal) 630-833-5758 (CST) Facilitator Availability I will be available in...
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...Technical Writing and Writing a Technical Report [pic]Understand the type of technical report you are writing. Technical reports come in all shapes and sizes, but they all share the same goal of communicating information clearly. Deciding what type of document you need to write is an important first step as it influences your approach. For example, the following demand different approaches. Reporting Research Findings These documents describe the work done to gather information in the laboratory or field. They can be simple recording or data or more thorough and include: the problem or issue examined, the method or equipment used, the data collected and the implications. Simple Technical Information Report This document explains a technical subject. It has no aim other than to make sure readers understand the topic clearly. For example, a technical report on a investing in the futures market would probably explain how the market evolved, how it works, the specialist terms used and so on. A simple technical report for information does not put forward a view on the merits of investing in the market or have recommendations. Technical Specifications Specifications typically consist of descriptions of the features, materials, uses and workings of new product. Good specifications concentrate on graphics, data and illustrations rather than written descriptions. Think of a patent application as a good example. Technical Evaluation Reports Evaluation reports, sometimes called...
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...Technical Writing and Writing a Technical Report [pic]Understand the type of technical report you are writing. Technical reports come in all shapes and sizes, but they all share the same goal of communicating information clearly. Deciding what type of document you need to write is an important first step as it influences your approach. For example, the following demand different approaches. Reporting Research Findings These documents describe the work done to gather information in the laboratory or field. They can be simple recording or data or more thorough and include: the problem or issue examined, the method or equipment used, the data collected and the implications. Simple Technical Information Report This document explains a technical subject. It has no aim other than to make sure readers understand the topic clearly. For example, a technical report on a investing in the futures market would probably explain how the market evolved, how it works, the specialist terms used and so on. A simple technical report for information does not put forward a view on the merits of investing in the market or have recommendations. Technical Specifications Specifications typically consist of descriptions of the features, materials, uses and workings of new product. Good specifications concentrate on graphics, data and illustrations rather than written descriptions. Think of a patent application as a good example. Technical Evaluation Reports Evaluation reports, sometimes called...
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...This article is a guide to careers in technical writing. If you are interested in technical writing, here is a guide to the profession, and it include six parts. First, you need to know if technical writing is for you. Saul Carliner think that write a novel is not the job. Although the finished product is something you wrote, there's a lot of collaboration. Contrary to what many assume, this job requires plenty of contact with technical professionals, from programmers and project managers to machine operators and medical technicians. If you're considering a job as a technical writer, and you always spend several hours reading and reviewing computer manuals and online help systems. You need to know no one in the outside world will ever see it. But the field has broadened to include a variety of job roles and responsibilities. Second, you need background. As a group, technical communicators come from varied backgrounds. The five most common academic backgrounds are English, technical communication, science or engineering, computer science and journalism. Third, you need to know specific programs. You should know Microsoft word, FrameMaker, and RoboHelp. Forth, you can move into other IT jobs. Technical communicators often move into jobs as programmers, systems analysts, information architects and project leaders. Others shift into sales or management roles. Fifth, you need to get experience. Budding technical communicators should seek out internships, volunteer work and other...
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... let me give you simple facts about my name. Based on my research, the name Allen means noble and fair while my last name de los Reyes means royal. So what are we waiting for? Let’s now play TEXT TWIST. Technical writing, a form of technical communication, is a style of writing used in fields as diverse as computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, the aerospace industry, robotics, finance, consumer electronics, and biotechnology. [ Technical writers begin by forming a clear understanding of the purpose of the document they will create. If payment for production comes from a second party, this includes a detailed interview with the party that pays for the document's production. Technical writers then typically go on to gather information from existing documentation and from subject matter experts. A subject matter expert (SME) is any expert on the topic that the writer is working on. Technical writers are often not SMEs themselves (unless they are writing about creating good technical documentation). Workers at many levels, and in many different fields, have a role in producing technical communications. A good technical writer needs strong language and teaching skills and must understand the many conventions of modern technical communications. Technical writing teams or departments are often...
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...According to the Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing (2001), there are five characteristics that define effective technical communication; accuracy, clarity, conciseness, coherence, and appropriateness. For material that emphasizes clarity and conciseness, I find that section 1.1 of the Mayfield Handbook website falls short of delivering the material in such manners. These five characteristics will be used to provide an evaluative summation of the material. Accuracy in technical writing is comprised of three components; document accuracy, stylistic accuracy, and technical accuracy. Document accuracy refers to “proper coverage of your topics in appropriate detail” (Perelman, Barrett, & Paradis, 2001, p. section 1.1.1.). There must be a clearly defined problem statement, which is addressed with relevant data. Next, there is stylistic accuracy, which concerns appropriate use of language. This refers to the use of proper paragraph and sentence structure, as well as word choice that is effective in describing the topics. Finally, there is technical accuracy, which is shaped by the writer’s knowledge of the subject and the ability to analyze data without distorting the facts. The Mayfield Handbook does have proper document accuracy. The subject matter is relevant to technical writing. Stylistic accuracy is where the material is lacking. There is poor sentence structure and wording throughout the material. Simple proofreading would...
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...categoryId=-1 IF You Face Any Problem Then E Mail Us At JOHNMATE1122@GMAIL.COM Question week 1 Technical Communication at Work (graded) As you read Chapter 1, you will learn that communication skills are critical in the workplace and that technical writing is used in virtually every work environment. For this discussion, locate a technical document from your workplace or from home or the Internet, preferably one that might be found in your career field. Note that Figure 1-1 (page 4) provides a list of technical communication examples. Using the five goals and features of technical communication listed in the textbook (page 4), describe how the document addresses these characteristics. Then, discuss whether or not you feel the document is successful in its overall goal. Provide examples from the document to illustrate. If possible, share the document by posting a link or a PDF of the sample used. Audience Culture and Analysis (graded) As our text states, “one cardinal rule governs all on-the-job writing: Write for your reader, not for yourself” (page 41). This requires a solid audience analysis. As part of this analysis, you must also consider the audience's cultural background, particularly in light of today's global society. For this discussion 1. discuss some general reader characteristics and methods for analyzing the readers of various technical and workplace documents; and 2. describe additional considerations you need to make when dealing with a...
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...Course Design Guide College of Information Systems & Technology ENG/221 Version 5 Technical Writing Fundamentals Copyright © 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course covers the fundamentals and best practices of using written communication in business and in the information technologies. Topics include strategies, techniques, and nuances for producing e-mails, memos, reports, proposals, project specifications, and user manuals, as well as other technical documents. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Dobrin, S. I., Keller, C. J., & Weisser, C. R. (2010). Technical communication in the twenty-first century (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Gerson, S. J., & Gerson, S. M. (2012). Technical communication: Process and product (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. All electronic...
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... Technical Writing Fundamentals Copyright Copyright © 2010, 2009, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. University of Phoenix® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices. Course Description This course covers the fundamentals and best practices of using written communication in business and in the information technologies. Topics include strategies, techniques for producing emails, memos, reports, proposals, project specifications, and user manuals, as well as other technical documents. Course Topics & Objectives Week One: The Technical Writing Process • Identify how writing methods are used in the corporate environment. • Discuss collaboration in the modern enterprise. • Identify collaborative technologies. Week Two: Technical Writing in the Corporate Environment • Identify intellectual property issues in the corporate environment. • Discuss the role that audience plays in technical writing...
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...Course COM 135 Week 1 CheckPoint Importance Of Technical Writing COM 135 Week 1 Individual Assignment The Technical Writing Process COM 135 Week 2 CheckPoint Audience Analysis COM 135 Week 2 DQ 1 COM 135 Week 2 DQ 2 COM 135 Week 3 CheckPoint Communication Techniques COM 135 Week 3 CheckPoint Letter Writing Techniques COM 135 Week 3 Individual Assignment Written Communication In The Corporate Environment COM 135 Week 4 CheckPoint Article Summary COM 135 Week 4 DQ 1 And DQ 2 COM 135 Week 5 CheckPoint User Manual Criteria COM 135 Week 5 Individual Assignment Clear And Concise Technical Instructions COM 135 Week 6 CheckPoint Reports COM 135 Week 6 DQ 1 And DQ 2 COM 135 Week 7 CheckPoint RFP Analysis COM 135 Week 7 CheckPoint Rough Draft Of Final Project COM 135 Week 7 Individual Assignment Proposals COM 135 Week 8 CheckPoint Image Integration COM 135 Week 8 DQ 1 And DQ 2 COM 135 Week 9 Capstone Checkpoint COM 135 Week 9 Final Project User Manual For More Homework Goto http://www.homeworkbasket.com COM 135 Week 1 Individual Assignment The Technical Writing Process Click Below URL to Purchase Homework http://www.homeworkbasket.com/COM-135/COM-135-Week-1-Individual-Assignment-The-Technical-Writing-Process Resources: Pages 25-38 in Technical Writing: Process and Product (5th ed.) Read the following scenario: As a customer service manager for a local software development company, you want to create a user manual for one of the software applications your...
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...ENGLISH 221: Technical Writing Fundamentals PRINT OUT—PRINT OUT-- PRINT OUT—PRINT OUT-- PRINT OUT If you have any questions about the syllabus, please post them in the Main Classroom. Susan Colebank scolebank@email.phoenix.edu (University of Phoenix) susancolebank@gmail.com (back-up; do not CC this address when you e-mail me at my UOP address) COURSE NUMBER: ENG221 COURSE TITLE: Technical Writing Fundamentals COURSE START DATE: 1/17/12 COURSE END DATE: 2/20/2012 FACILITATOR AVAILABILITY I am in the Classroom five days of the week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I am on in the morning and then again at night, with the afternoon set aside for telecommuting and taking care of my daughter. I provide you with these times to make it easier to communicate with me, and not to limit our contact. I want you to know that, should you need to contact me outside this timeframe, you should not hesitate to do so via my University of Phoenix e-mail. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND e-mailing me with your questions or concerns, since it is best to document our conversations with a paper trail. I have yet, in nine years of being a UOP instructor, found a student who has a question or concern that couldn’t best be discussed via e-mail. If you need to call me, then please e-mail me first to schedule a time and to leave your phone number. For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a message to...
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...workplace, whether it is a technical or expository form of written communication, and why you classified it as such. Written communication method | Purpose in the workplace | Technical or expository writing | Why the classification was chosen | E-mail | For both external and internal use. This form of communication can be used for writing close friends, and family. This may also be used within a company via co-workers as well as communicating with customers and other business contacts. | Expository Writing. | I chose E-mail as an expository form of writing because the purpose is used for the purpose of explaining and describing the writers point to the reader. This can also be classified as technical, but only if the sender was giving information on services. | Memo | This is meant for internal use, this is largely used to communicate with fellow employees. | Expository Writing | Again, this form of communication is utilized to provide information on what is being conversed. | Letter | Outside use, meant to reach a contact outside of the corporation. | Expository Writing | This form of communication gives relays information of another individual. | Manual | This can be used for training as well as a company guide book. | Technical Writing | This form of communication is designed to explain a task and how to complete it. | Website | Various uses. E-commerce, intranet, training. | Expository Writing/ Technical Writing | This form of communication...
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...Photosmart 5510 Series User Manual M. Raquel Medina ENG/221 August 14, 2012 Gregory Bontz Recently purchased, by the writer, was an HP All-in-One printer, scanner, and copier, the HP Photosmart 5510 series. A manual was provided in the boxed package but can also be viewed online at http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02983578.pdf. The manual provides simplicity, clarity, attractiveness, organization and graphical illustrations. It is a well written instructional manual for users of any technical level, although the length of the document is a little too long. According to Don Norman, “People do not want to read manuals — they want to do their activity. Help them get right to work, with minimum reading” (Norman, 2012). At times a reader can become confused and frustrated with a user manual that is too big. Keeping the manual clear and simple is important. Simplicity • Positive: The HP Photosmart 5510 series user manual is made simple because of the shortness in its index. There are only nine major topics that are covered in the manual but these nine are the key points to operating the device. The manual has each topic linked to the page so a simple point and click gets you to the information needed. • Negative: The Technical Information portion of this manual was not easy to follow. Although, technical information is not the easiest to make simple. Clarity • Positive: Clarity is important when reading a user manual because your message must...
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...Workplace Communication Comparison Complete the following matrix. For each communication method, list its purpose in the workplace, whether it is a technical or expository form of written communication, and why you classified it as such. |Written communication method |Purpose in the workplace|Technical or expository|Why classification was chosen | | | |writing | | |E-mail |Majority used to give |Expository |Most emails are used as descriptive. They | | |brief description of | |are used to inform the company of new | | |what someone wants | |employees, promotions, introductions, | | |someone else to do. | |meeting requests that have descriptive | | | | |agendas. | |Memos |Most memos I have seen |Technical |Memos in my work place are very rare. The | | |used to inform the | |memos I have seen inform the readers of | | |reader...
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...University of Phoenix Material Workplace Communication Comparison Complete the following matrix. For each communication method, list its purpose in the workplace, whether it is a technical or expository form of written communication, and why you classified it as such. |Written communication |Purpose in the workplace |Technical or expository |Why the classification was chosen | |method | |writing | | |E-mail |In contrast, much of today’s written communication in|Expository |Expository writing is to explain describe or to| | |the workplace is accomplished through e-mail | |inform | | |messages. Therefore, a good e-mail message should fit| | | | |in the box, letting the reader see the entire content| | | | |at one glance. It should be limited to about 20 lines| | | | |of text. | ...
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