Description

Overview

Welcome to Document Design Inc. In this workplace, we will be producing resumes, memos, business letters, policies, reports, and presentations. We will hold our meetings in a computer lab which will allow us to work, present, and collaborate all within one location. Here at Document Design, Inc., we expect professional and ethical writers who are prepared to address multiple audiences and contexts.

Required Texts

Professional Writing Online 2nd Edition, by Johndan Johnson-Eilola, Patricia Sullivan, and James Porter. Boston: Allyn & Bacon/Longman, 2004 will be our company manual. It is available at University Book Store and Follet's or online. Be sure to purchase unopened copies of the guide because used password codes are not transferable. Keep your receipt in case your password fails to work and see me immediately. Passwords cannot be shared.

Goals

Writing in Context
Analyze professional cultures, social contexts, and audiences to determine how they shape the various purposes and forms of workplace writing, such as persuasion, organizational communication, and public discourse, with an emphasis on

• writing for general audiences and decision makers
• understanding the ethical dimensions of workplace communication

Writing Process
Develop and understand various strategies for planning, researching, drafting, revising, and editing documents that respond effectively and ethically to professional situations and audiences.

Collaboration
Learn and apply strategies for successful collaboration, such as

• working and communicating online with colleagues
• setting and achieving project goals
• responding constructively to peers' work
• working as part of a writing team and/or with a client organization

Research
Understand and use various research methods to produce professional documents

• analyzing professional contexts
• assessing and using information resources
• using primary research methods such as interviews, observations, focus groups, and surveys to collect data
• working ethically with research participants

Technology
Select technologies appropriate to the generic conventions of various types of workplace communication, including email, memos, letters, reports, online documents, and white papers.

Document Design
Learning the generic conventions of the design of workplace documents including

• understanding and implementing various principles of format and layout
• interpreting and arguing with visual information.

Projects and Activities

1. Application Project 

You will be asked to respond to job announcements that I will provide you with a cover letter and resume. In addition to this, I would like you to provide me with a general resume designed for multiple contexts and audiences.

2. Policy Project

Your team will handle complaints, which I will provide for you. You will first decide upon a course of action that you will summarize for me in a memo. Then, you must draft a policy that will prevent future complaints in this area. Finally, you will write a business letter that informs the complainant of your actions.

3. Open Source Project

Your team must select an open source program to research for this project. You will begin by doing background research and testing the usability of the program. You will report this information to me in a usability report. After this step, you must combine your research with a recommendation that you will formulate and explain in a recommendation report. Finally, you must present your findings to the rest of the class.

Assessment

Technology Requirements

In order to work efficiently, you should already be able to use the technology platform and applications listed below. 

• Mac OS System or Windows XP
• Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint) or Mac Office (Word) and Keynote
• Web Browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Netscape Communicator, or Internet Explorer)
• Email Program (e.g., Purdue Webmail, Netscape Mail, Outlook, Eudora, Thunderbird, etc.)

Collaborative Work

Collaborative work is required in our business. You and your team members are responsible for updating one another and me about project development and progress. In addition, you also are responsible for negotiating together all aspects of your work, including planning, drafting, revising, file managing, and scheduling of assignments. Every team member in the group will receive the same grade unless there is an extenuating circumstance. If there are any problems in your group, I expect the team to handle it internally. If this does not correct the situation, contact me, and I will intervene.

Attendance

Attendance is required at all scheduled meetings. Since you will be working in teams for much of the semester, it is important that you are present and contributing to your group projects. Excused absences may be granted for religious holidays or university-sponsored events, provided you make a written request to me no less than two weeks in advance and that you complete any required work before the due date. Absences and excessive tardiness will lower your participation grade.

Integrity

DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! Plagiarism includes any quote, paraphrase, or duplication from a source that is not referenced. This is a major offense that Purdue University and the professional writing program take very seriously. It will result in your failure of the course, and you will be referred to the dean's office.

Late Work

Late work will not be accepted unless arrangements have been made prior to its being due.