Tentative Schedule for English 3900      Spring 2012

Activities for the day are shown at the top of each block in standard Arial font.  Homework for the following class period is shown in Arial italics and can be found at the bottom of each block.  Computers will be needed on workshop and peer review days.  Other times will be announced in class or will be added to this schedule.

References to “General Projects” or “Digital Projects” apply to the chapter assigned just prior to the project.  Project assignments and other homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period following the assignment.  Students are permitted only 1 late class assignment during the semester.  The late assignment is due the class period following the original due date.  Additional late assignments will receive no credit.

Week

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Jan 9-13

Intro to class

Syllabus

Cards 

HWK:  Bring examples of technical writing to class on Wed

Share examples

 

 

HWK:  Read George Orwell's essay.  Link on website.  Read  Chapter 11.

Discuss Orwell’s essay

 

HWK:  Write a one-paragraph description of a physical object without naming the object or referring to its function.

Jan 16-20

MLK Holiday

No classes

 HWK:  Read Chapter 1  Do General Project 2. However,  ignore the class activity sentence and write the memo.  

Discuss elements of technical writing

 HWK:  Read Chapter 6 and do the Digital Project

Share projects from Chapters 1 and 6 in class

HWK:   Read Chapter 2 and do Gen.  Project 1.  Bring a copy of the original document and your "translation" to class.

Jan 23-27

Complete Gen Project 1 with partner.  Then turn in all three pieces of Project 1 in a paper folder.

HWK:  Read Chapter 3.  Do either Gen. Projects 2 or 3

Team and digital activity in class.  Bring computers

 

HWK:  Reread Chapter 11 and read Chapter 17

Discuss elements of a complaint letter and Chapter 11

 HWK:  Write a draft of a complaint letter.  Bring computers on Monday

Jan 30-Feb 3

Peer review complaint letter

 

 HWK:  Read Chapter 4. Submit letter to turnitin

Complaint letter due

The Just Memo

HWK:  Read Chapter 5.  Bring computers on Monday.

 

 

 HWK:  Begin individual research on assigned country.

Feb 6-10

Global Project TBA

Present  Projects

 

HWK:  Read Chapter 18 and begin Resume/Letter Project

Present  Projects

Team evaluations

 

HWK:  Draft of resume due Monday

Feb 13-17

Team evaluations due

Workshop on resumes

   

HWK:  Polish resume and work on letter of application and follow-up/thank you letter.

Workshop on letters: 

Cover letter and follow-up/thank you letter

HWK:   Polish resume and letters.  Submit both to turnitin.  Read Chapter 19

Resume and letters due. Instructions activity in class 

 

HWK:  Read Chapter 21. Bring a set of instructions to class

Feb 20-24

Share instructions; discuss positive/negative points based on chapter info.

 

HWK:  Draft a set of instructions for a common household task or common repair problem

 Test instructions in class with partners.  Discuss format and design improvements

 

HWK:  Work on final draft of instructions.

 

Instructions Due

Mid-term test

 

HWK:  Read Chapter 12. 

Create 1 visual from Gen Project 7 choices. 

Feb 28-March 2

Work with partner to assess visual and make suggestions for improvements.

 

HWK:  Finalize visual for Wed.

Present visuals to class.  Turn in early draft and final version.

 

 HWK:  Read Chapter 13

Introduce Final Project

 

 

Spring Break March 3-11

March 12-16

Brainstorm about Final Project.  Discuss project format.

 

HWK:  Review Chapter 10

Workshop on project

 

 HWK:  Review Chapter 15; write memo regarding project.

Initial Memo Due with Project Idea

 

HWK:  Begin work on project.  Read Chapter 24.

March 19-23

Discuss proposal format. Work on proposals.

 

HWK:  Review Chapter 13

Peer Review Proposal

 

 HWK:  Review Chapter 11

Project Proposal Due

Discuss page design

 

March 26-30

Discuss Press Release format

 

 

HWK:  Review Chapter 12

Peer Review Press Release

Press Release Due

Draw for Presentation Dates

HWK:  Read Chapter 22 pages  515-520

April 2-6

Discuss format for progress reports

 HWK:  Read Chapter 25

Discuss Oral Presentations

Peer Review Progress Report

Progress Report Due

April 9-13

Final Workshop on Project or Presentations

Presentations

Presentations

April 23-27

Presentations

 

Presentations

 

Presentations

 

April 30

Presentations

Portfolio Due with Reflection

 

 

Finals Week --  May include more presentations at our assigned time