During Week Three we'll complete Project 1 and begin work on Project 2, an exercise in writing writing technical definitions. The revised draft of Project 2 will be due toward the beginning of Week Four, on 22 September to be exact.

During Week Three, there are four assignments due:

1. Project 1 Revised Draft (6 pts.): Saturday, 15 Sep
2. Writing/Online Exercise 4: Saturday, 15 Sep
3. Project 2 APS (2 pts.): Wednesday, 19 Sep
4. Project 2 Rough Draft (1 pts.): Wednesday, 19 Sep
5. Project 2 Revised Draft (8 pts.): Saturday, 22 Sep (Week Four)

• For 15 Sep
  Three Assignments:
  • Revised draft of Project 1
  • Reading in Technical Communication: Technical Definitions
  • Writing/Online Exercise 4
    1. Revised Draft of Article Response/Technical Writing Definition Project (6 pts.)
       Use regular e-mail to submit your revised draft of Project 1. Again, be sure that your report is in the form of a memo to me (no one need be on copy) and that you have saved your file in Rich Text Format. Attach your revised project to an e-mail message to me. Again, be sure to fill in the "Subject" line of your e-mail message. In the body of the e-mail, be sure to put your name and to notify me that your revised draft of Project 1 is attached to the message. Make sure that the attached file is in Rich Text Format. Last, be sure that I receive your revised draft by 15 September.
    2. In Technical Communication (Markel) read pp. 177-85 on types of technical definitions
    3. Writing/Online Exercise 4: Discussion Conference on Writing Technical Definitions (2 pts.)

       To start with, take a look at the web site named "Whatis.com," which is a good resource for technical communicators. Among other things, the site contains a searchable database of definitions for technology-related terms.

       Next, review Exercises 1 and 2 on page 199 of Technical Communication. Please complete sentences "a," "c," and "e" in Exercise 1, and sentences "a," "e," and "g" in Exercise 2. There's no reason why we shouldn't help each other with the exercise; at the same time, your work should be your own. Complete this exercise by 15 September.

  • For 19 Sep
    Two Assignments:
    • Audience Profile Sheet for Project 2 (2 pts.)
    • Rough Draft of Project 2 (1 pt.)
    1. Audience Profile Sheet for Project 2 (2 pts.)
       The audience for Project 2 is our class. So, consider the level of experience that our class members have with technology.

       Use the Audience Profile Sheet fill-in form to submit an APS for Project 2. Your APS will be evaluated according to completeness, so give thought to all of the categories, even if one (or more) seems obvious.

    2. Rough Draft of Project 2 (1 pt.)
       Read the description of Project 2 and write a rough draft of the memo that contains your technical definition. Save your file in Rich Text Format. Use regular e-mail to submit your draft to me, and submit the draft as an attachment to your e-mail message. Be sure to fill in the "Subject" line of your e-mail message. In the body of the e-mail, be sure to put your name and to notify me that your rough draft of Project 2 is attached to the message. Then, make sure that the attached file is in Rich Text Format. Last, be sure that I receive your draft by 19 September.

       I will look at the drafts and send my comments to the class via e-mail. In general, I will make comments that pertain to the drafts of the class as a whole. I will respond to individual drafts when it seems necessary. Of course, if in my general comments I do not address something in your draft that you would like addressed, by all means let me know. Please raise your questions before the revised draft is due.

  • For 22 Sep
    One Assignment:
    • Revised Draft of Project 2 (8 pts.)
    1. Revised Draft of Technical Definition Project (8 pts.)
       Use regular e-mail to submit your revised draft of Project 2. Again, be sure that your definition appears in a memo to me (no one need be on copy) and that you have saved your file in Rich Text Format. Attach your revised project to an e-mail message to me. Again, be sure to fill in the "Subject" line of your e-mail message. In the body of the e-mail, be sure to put your name and to notify me that your revised draft of Project 2 is attached to the message. Make sure that the attached file is in Rich Text Format. Last, be sure that I receive your revised draft by 22 September.