IMM 340 Technical Writing Fall 07

Assignments

Overview

This page includes a more in-depth look at the individual assignments. Here you will find samples and links that should help you complete the assignments. You are required to use this page to meet all the requirements for each assignment.

All assignments, including the final project, must be posted to the appropriate SOCS dropbox on time. I encourage you to be creative in the formatting of your assignments. While I do not want curly, silly fonts, you have the freedom to produce professional looking documents suitable for corporate use. However, you must use proper citations based on any current MLA style guide.

Wikipedia is generally not recommended for college level references. However, I do recognize that Wikipedia does have some good information. I encourage you to use Wikipedia as a starting point if you are having trouble researching your topic. Wikipedia entries may give you key words to enable you to search peer-reviewed journals. Wikipedia entries also include links to other sources. I will check citations regularly. Be sure to uphold the honor code of TCNJ.

The proofreading requirement that is included for every assignment is meant to give you practice asking others to look at your work. Every important piece of writing used in the workplace should have more than one set of eyes checking it. For the purposes of this class, when proofreading for your peers, you should not be reading the work for content. Your comments should be limited to grammar and typos. You must be cognizant of the time it will take to proofread your paper. Please be sure to give your partner time to proofread. As well, the proofreader needs to get the assignment back in a timely manner. Any problem related to proofreading will result in a five point deduction for both people involved, so choose your partner wisely. You do not need to use the same partner each week.

Week 1 · Profile Assignment

Due Date	September 10
Assignment	Write up a profile of your partner based on your in-class interview. The profile should be no more than two pages long. The following information about your subject must be included in your profile: Name What makes him or her stand out, that is, what special attributes does he or she have? What are his/her plans for the future? What is he/she currently studying? Include a quote. Be sure to have an intro and a conclusion Exchange profiles with your partner for proofreading. Hand in your profile (taking into account comments from your partner) as well as the document you critiqued, with your editing marks evident.
Examples	Go to http://www.njit.edu/ and look for "Student Profile" in the lower right corner. The resulting page has several student profile examples on the left menu.
Assessment	This assignment is meant to be an ice breaker - a chance for us all to get to know each other. It also serves to give me a sample of your writing so I can discern which areas you may need extra help with. Does the profile have an introduction and a conclusion? Does the profile include the information detailed above? Is the profile free from typographical and grammatical errors? Does the profile consider the audience? Is the assignment of a professional quality?

Week 2 · Rhetorical Situation Poster Assignment

Due Date	September 17
Assignment	Based on the classroom activity, individually design a poster for the topic your group decided on. Use the rhetorical situation "W" questions (found on page 22 of your text) to guide you. In addition, use chapter 9 as a guide for deciding on graphic use and placement. Find a partner to exchange posters with for proofreading. Submit a pdf of your poster as well as your comments on your partner's poster. The poster should be attractive and have the appropriate information to get your audience to take the intended action.
Examples	poster-event Why a Poster? Tips for Poster Design Poster Design Tutorials
Assessment	The poster assignment is an introduction to the rhetorical situation. The rhetorical situation is important to all writing assignments. Have the rhetorical "W" questions been answered? Do the graphic elements contribute to the event topic? Is the poster free from typographical and grammatical errors? Does the poster consider the audience? Is the assignment of a professional quality?

Week 3 · Reader Analysis Assignment

Due Date	September 24
Assignment	Based on the classroom activity, find a competitor of the website you chose for the in-class activity. Create a reader-analysis chart for the competitor and determine whether there is a different focus than the original in-class choice. Again, exchange your assignment with a peer for proofreading. Your reader analysis chart must include needs, values, and attitudes for primary, secondary and tertiary readers.
Examples	See page 50 in your text. Reader Analysis Chart Audience Analysis Text Companion worksheet
Assessment	If you do not understand your audience, your writing will not be understood by your audience. Does the Reader Analysis include primary, secondary, and tertiary readers? Does the Reader Analysis include needs, values, and attributes of the reader? Is the assignment of a professional quality? Is the Reader Analysis free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 4 · Ethics in Advertising Assignment

Due Date	October 1
Assignment	Based on the classroom discussion, complete exercise 4 on page 91 of the text. The report should be at least 2 pages. Exchange your paper with a peer for proofreading. Turn in your final copy as well as the report you proofread.
Examples	Be sure to look at the companion website for chapter four, specifically Websites on Wired Ethics
Assessment	This assignment is important because the internet has made it very easy to borrow ideas and take credit for them. An understanding of ethics and consequences will serve you throughout your career. Does the chosen advertisement have an ethical problem? Is terminology from the chapter used? Has the ethical dilemma been researched and proven to be legal or illegal? Is the assignment of a professional quality? Is the assignment free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 5 · Collecting and Tabulating Data

Due Date	October 8
Assignment	Come up with a topic for your research paper and conduct the research. You must use empirical, print, and electronic sources and triangulate your data. Gather your data and share it with me in what amounts to a rough draft of your research paper. You do not need to have your introduction and conclusion perfected for this assignment. Be prepared to share your research results in the October 8th class. You do not have to prepare a formal presentation, but you may be asked to discuss your results with the rest of the class. The point of this assignment is to show you that research should be conducted before you actually write the introduction and conclusion of your paper. Remember to exchange papers for proofreading. Some tips to assist you in preparing this assignment: Use logical mapping to help you focus your topic Write down your narrowed topic Determine the best way to gather data - you should start with electronic sources, which may help you decide whether to use a survey, an interview, or another method, to conduct your empirical research Predict the results before you begin to conduct your empirical research Keep your data organized- remember to cite your sources with MLA style This assignment is the preliminary step towards writing your full research paper which will be due October 15th. This assignment should NOT include an introduction or a conclusion. You need to start with conducting the research. Next week we will talk about structuring your actual research paper. You need to conduct the research to be ready for the next step.
Assessment	An A for this assignment can only be obtained if you impress me with your submission of all of the following elements: your initial topic evidence of whether your topic changed or evolved over time your prediction of the results of your empirical research at least 5 print and electronic sources in MLA format notes you took from each of your print and electronic sources your empirical method and the data you collected a visual of how you triangulated your data

Week 6 · Research Paper Assignment

Due Date	October 15
Assignment	This is one of the 4 major assignments for class and is worth 15% of your grade. Using Chapter 6 as a guide to the layout of a paper, use the topic you collected data on in week 5 to write your research paper. Use visuals in the form of tables or charts to depict your analysis of your data. Your paper should be at least 8 pages and it must include a "Works Cited" page. Be sure to exchange papers with a peer for proofreading. The paper is due October 15th. You may email me with any questions as well as drafts.
Assessment	The research paper is a major assignment in this class. An A on for this assignment can only be obtained by impressing me with successfully including the following criteria: Does the introduction use the six opening moves: Define the subject State your purpose State your main point Stress the importance of the subject Provide background information Forecast the content Does each section of the paper include an opening, body, and closing? Are patterns of arrangement used throughout? Are the five closing moves used in the conclusion: Make an obvious transition Restate your main point Restress the importance Look to the future Say thank you and offer contact information Is the paper free from typographical and grammatical errors? Is the paper professional in appearance?

Week 7 · Web Site Design Assignment

Due Date	October 29
Assignment	Review Chapter 8, 11 and 14. This is the second of the four large assignments and is worth 15% of your grade. You will design a website using the five principles of design. Your topic can be real or fictitious. The site should be at least 3, and no more than 5 pages. You will be graded more on layout and design than on content, but you do need to be aware of your audience and write good content. As always, ask a peer to review your work. Be prepared to present your website to the class on October 29. Your presentation should be no more than 10 minutes. You need to include your topic, a reader analysis, and remember to define the rhetorical situation.
Assessment	Web content and design is becoming a common medium for dissemination of technical communication. This assignment allows you to practice layout on a web page. Are the five principles of design followed? Is the content appropriate for the target audience? Does the design complement the content? Is the assignment professional in appearance? Is the Reader Analysis free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 8 · Continue Web Assignment

Due Date	October 29

Assignment	Review chapter 8 to aid you in designing your website. Chapter 11 will help you in preparing your presentation. Continue to work on your website for next week's class. Email me frequently for input. I am always available to answer questions.

Week 9 · Persuasion Assignment

Due Date	November 5
Assignment	Make up a "too good to be true" product and write a persuasive "business letter" following the format of the examples. Your goal is to control the pace of your reader. Remember to exchange papers with a peer.
Examples	Lose Weight Fast Sales Letters The Online Business More Sales Letters How to be a Master Persuader
Assessment	Learning to make your audience care about your topic takes practice. Controllig the pace of reading is an art. This assignment allows you to practice both. Does the business letter hold the audience? Is there a sense of elevated tone? Is there a sense of a fast pace when reading? Is the assignment of a professional quality? Is the assignment free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 10 · Instructions Assignment

Due Date	November 19
Assignment	This is the third of the four large assignments and is worth 15% of your grade. You will create professional instructions allowing another group in class to recreate your Lincoln Log structure, without the benefit of an illustration. Each member of your group will independently make their own instructions. As a group you will decide which set of instructions to give to another group. I will be grading each set of instructions individually. Consider your audience when you write your instructions. As always, ask a peer in your group to proof your instructions for typos. In the November 19th class we will be assembling structures based on your instructions.
Examples	Instructions
Assessment	Every gadget, every toy, every computer game, every job includes some sort of instructions - whether it be a help menu, or a Standard Operating Procedure, all instructions have commonalities necessary for them to be understood. Do the instructions make sense for the intended audience? Is there a list of parts, tools, and conditions required? Are the steps sequentially ordered and clear and concise? Are clear diagrams included? Do the instructions result in the proper completion of the task? Are usability factors taken into account regarding the layout of the document? Are the instructions free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 11 · Continue Instructions Assignment

Due Date	November 19
Assignment	Review chapter 19 to aid you in formulating your instructions. Continue to work on your instructions for next week's class. Email me frequently for input. Remember to get a peer to proofread for you.

Week 12 · Proposal Topic and Audience Analysis Assignment

Due Date	November 26
Assignment	This is the beginning of our proposal assignment. You will need to start by planning your proposal - what is it you want to do? What change are you trying to effect? Find a source of money or resources to target as your audience. Complete an audience analysis. For next class have your topic and an audience analysis completed. Exchange the audience analysis with a peer for review.
Assessment	A proposal is a common document in the business world. A well written proposal will include all the necessary information for the decision makers in your company. This assignment is a necessary component of the proposal assignment for next week but will not be graded. However, failure to complete this part of the proposal assignment by November 26 will result in a ten point deduction on the proposal assignment.

Week 13 · Proposal Assignment

Due Date	December 3
Assignment	Continue with your proposal. Your final draft will be due December 3. It should contain all the basic features of proposals as listed on page 582 of your text. Again, exchange papers with a peer.
Assessment	Does the proposal include the following basic features: Introduction Description of the current situation Description of the project plan Review of qualifications Discussion of costs and benefits Graphics Budget Is there evidence of proper planning? Does the propsal show evidence of research? Is the proposal of a professional quality? Is the proposal free from typographical and grammatical errors?

Week 14 · Activity Report Assignment

Due Date	December 7
Assignment	Write an incident report about a current event. Research your topic. Even the Virginia Tech shooting already has an extensive Wikipedia entry, complete with a vast amount of references and resources. Include what happened, the specualtions or facts, if available, as to why it happened, and conclude with what steps are being taken, or should be taken, to avoid similar disasters. Your report should be 3 to 5 pages long.
Examples	Guidelines for writing an incident report
Assessment	Analysis reports are another common job for technical communicators. Is there evidence of research? Are personal opinions evident (they should not be)? Does the report include a summary as well as results and an explanation of future activities? Is the assignment of a professional quality? Is the report free from typographical and grammatical errors?

FINAL PROJECT

Due Date	Tentative due date is December 18.
Assignment	Your final should be a culmination of ideas found throughout the text and the lectures. We all came here with different aspirations, so I want your final to reflect the direction you intend to take your writing. If you are interested in web design and usability, your final should be a website. If you want to write instructions for a living, your final should be instructions. The choice is yours. As soon as you have chosen the topic and format of your final, have it approved by me (by December 10). You will need to submit a reader analysis and a statement of the rhetorical situation by December 13. Your final report should be the equivalent of at least 8 and no more than 12 pages. You must use MLA style for references and works cited.
Assessment	If you do not understand your audience, your writing will not be understood by your audience. Has an audience analysis been conducted? Have the rhetorical "W" questions been answered? Are there ethical considerations involved? Is there evidence of proper research? Are there appropriate and professional graphics? Is the tone and pace appropriate for the audience? Have usability standards been considered in the design? Is the Final of a professional quality? Is the Final free from typographical and grammatical errors?