Calendar
Follow the links at the bottom of this page for a schedule of assignments for each week this semester. Within each week, you will find daily listings of assignments. Each bullet point for the day is a different task for you to complete. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all assignments are to be completed before class on the day listed.
This course calendar may be updated throughout the semester. I'll notify you about any major changes, but you are still responsible for keeping up with the current schedule.
IMPORTANT: You must visit all of the links provided within the course calendar. There are many links to follow and read. Make sure you visit all of them. Some links provide easy access to other parts of the class site which will help you in your assignments. Some links are to required readings. Others provide you with detailed instructions on completing the assignments. Eventually, you may come to know the instructions which supplement assignments that are repeated throughout the course, but it's still a good idea to continue to revisit the instructions to make sure that you are satisfying all of the requirements.
Week 1
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 7
Course Introduction (website, major projects, ethical business writing, weekly work blogs, calendar, website)
Personal Introductions (Name, Major, Year, Interests in Field, Why is writing important for what you are doing?)
Purchase Professional Writing Online at the book's website or at Follett's or University Bookstore. It is cheapest to buy it online. Also, purchase the courspack at Copymat by Friday.
For WEDS, 9: Getting Started 1-3; How to Post Comments and Replies; How to Post to Your Individual Weblog; Learning to Navigate the Site; Principles for Comments and Replies; Principles for Posting to Your Weblog; Principles of Reading Responses. All found at: http://www.digitalparlor.org/sp08/buchanan1/guidelines
Wednesday 9
Using Professional Writing Website
Using PWonline...it's more confusing than you would think. Powerpoint Presentation.
What is a Memo and how to write an professional Email
For Friday, 11:
In PWOnline, read the following in the Rhetoric of Professional Writing Chapter (check the sidebar and REMEMBER you must be logged on to the book first!):
- Understanding Purpose
- The Complex Nature of Writing
- Evaluating Writing
- Technology and Writing/Work in the 21st Century
- Collaboration and Team Writing
- Types of Documents (Genres)
- Terminology: What Is Professional Writing?
- By end of today, must be logged on as a User for the Course Website
- Respond to Reading Blog #1 and discuss at least two of the sections you read (2 paragraphs)
- Complete and email the Student Information Sheet (attached below) before 1:00 P.M. next class
Friday 11
Reading Response Memo Due!!!
Rhetoric and Professional Writing (What is important, why do we write, how can you communicate)
How does current technology change the way we work. For example: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161
For MONDAY:
Job Searching Resources (Where to look, What to look for, and Performing additional research)
Using the textbook and Professional Writing at Purdue resources, begin to search for three jobs that are viable possibilities.
DON'T FORGET: FIRST WWL DUE THIS SATURDAY
Bring a current (printed) copy of your resume to class on Monday.
Week 2
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 14
Discuss Employment Choices & Job Search
Professional Ethos: Other Employment Considerations
Read all the material on resumes in PW Online—beginning in Section 1.6.3.1—for Weds.
Complete Rough Draft Step 1 of the Employment Project by Weds. Complete the Job Ad Analysis for all three jobs (1 definite and two back-ups.)
Wednesday 16
Discuss Resume Guidelines from PWonline
What makes an effective Resume? What are the goals of a Resume?
Discuss for Weds:
Week 3
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 21
No Class...Have Fun (Remember Personal Assessments are due Today) !
Friday 25
How to write with Concision (possible quiz over Williams' chapter)
Concision and Cover letter Worskhop
REMEMBER THAT ALL FIRST WORKSHOP COVERLETTERS AND RESUMES ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!!!!
Week 4 Remeber Workshop Papers Due Last Saturday!!!!
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 28
Resume & Cover letter Workshop 1. Edit comments are due, via email (jmbuchan@purdue.edu), to me by midnight tonight.
Resume & Coverletter Papers Workshop 2 Due Weds by midnight.
Wednesday 30
Second Day: Workshop 1. Edit comments for Workshop 2 are due, via email (jmbuchan@purdue.edu), to me by midnight tonight.
Friday 1
Workshop 2: Day 1. Remember all comments should've been emailed to me
Week 5
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 4
Second Workshop Day 2
Employment Portfolio Due Wed. 6
For Weds:
Read the following articles
- Read: The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers (Attached Below)
- Read: In PWOnline, White Papers
- Read White Paper Example (attached below)
Wednesday 6
Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
Discuss General White Paper Qualities
FOR FRIDAY
- In PW Online, read Documents: Proposals
Friday 8
Second Workshop Day 2
Employment Portfolio Due Monday 11
For Monday:
- Read White Papers
- Genre
- Conventions
- Design
- Topics
Readings and Items Due
- Read: The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers (Attached Below)
- Read: In PWOnline, White Papers
- Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
- Review Qualities of Technical Writing
- Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
- Discuss General White Paper Qualities
- In Coursepak: "Writing in High Tech Firms.”
Week 6 Employment Project Due Monday at Beginning of Class
Coursework and activities TBA.
Monday 11
IN-CLASS:
Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
Review Qualities of Technical & Tech Firm Writing
Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
Discuss General White Paper Qualities
FOR WEDS.
Read: "Becoming a Research Writer" for Weds.
Discuss White Paper Examples & White Paper Research
Wednesday 13
Power Point (in-class): How to Research? Lexis/Nexis, Business Pro Elite, Google, and Beyond. See below.
Discuss Research Writer
FOR FRIDAY:
In Coursepak: Read "Longer Reports, Proposals." in VanAlstyne
START A RESEARCH PLAN
Friday 15
ACITVIES & READINGS:
Sign up for proposal conferences on Fri. 22
Begin preliminary research for research proposal and drafting
Discuss Proposals (check link in White Paper Project)
Discuss WP Proposal Examples
FOR MONDAY:
In Coursepak: "Guide to Report Writing."
Read Gareth's Guide to Writing http://www.streettech.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&...
Report Writing Qualities
Week 7 Proposals Due Fri. 22
Assignments and activities for Week 7
Monday 18
Report Writing Basics, Style, and Technique
Non-Suckyness Writing
In-Class Activity: Writing analysis of White Papers
FOR WEDS.
In Coursepak: Samuels "The Technical Writing Process"
Guidelines to Progress Reports (http://www.engl.niu.edu/wac/progrgd.html
Wednesday 20
Discuss the Progress Report.
In-Class Work time to Prepare for Proposal Meeting on Friday
FRIDAY:
Proposal Meetings. Must have: One final copy of proposal, research plan, and schedule of dates of completion
Friday 22 Proposal for White Paper Due!!
Individual Meetings, as per sign-up schedule. Remember, meetings are to be held in Heavilon 214.
MONDAY:
Robin William's Handout(s)
From PW Online, read the following sections on writing reports:
Week 8
Assignments and activities for Week 8
Monday 25
DISCUSS DESIGNS
Robin William's Handout(s)
From PW Online, discuss the following sections on writing reports in relation to WP examples:
Wednesday 27
IN-Class:
Interviewing Tactics & Practice
FRIDAY:
Style and Editing: Read Williams "Clarity" & Editing Handout
Friday 29
IN-Class:
ANNOTATED BIB DRAFT DUE TODAY
Editing Practice & Discussion
The Final Stages: Putting it together & Heading towards the end.
FOR MONDAY:
In-Class Work Day to Prepare for WP peer-review
Week 9 WP Peer Review Weds. 5
Assignments and activities for Week 9
Monday 2
In-Class Work Day (not being prepared can result in an absence)
FOR WEDS:
Email latest copy of White Paper to Class List by midnight today
Wednesday 5
IN-Class:
In-Class Work Day (not being prepared can result in an absence)
FRIDAY:
OPTIONAL Meetings with me. I am willing to read over any WP and answer any last minute questions
Friday 7
In-Class Work Day (not being prepared can result in an absence)
)
Week 11
Assignments and activities for Week 10
Monday 17
Writing Peer-Review Day
Weds:
Design Peer-Review
Wednesday 19
Design Peer-Review Day
Fri:
White Papers Due
How to deal with Complaints
Friday 21
Honest Writing Practices
In-Class Analysis of (un)honest Writing
In-Class Response to Honest Writing
MONDAY:
Reading: Designing & Writing Instructions
(PWonline 3.12)
Week 13: March 24, 26, 28
March 24
Quiz: Designing & Writing Instructions
Designing & Writing Instructions Discussion (PWonline 3.12)
Find Instruction Examples and bring them to class on the 26th Also Read 32-48 in Coursepack
March 26
Discussion of Final Group Project (and Groups)
In-Class Critique of Instruction Writing
Read General Brochure Tips (pdf below)for Friday
Assignment is in PowerPoint attachment
March 28
Turn-in Instruction Example
Brochure Powerpoint
Brochure Analysis
In-Class Work Time for Service Learning
Reading for Monday : Pwonline
Introduction to Policy Writing (1.5.1)
Why Policy Writing Requires Research (1.5.1.1)
Ethics in Policy Writing (1.5.1.2)
Week 14: Mar 31, Ap. 2, 4
Mar 31:
Read General Brochure Tips (pdf below)
Assignment is in PowerPoint attachment
Apr. 2:
Brochure Analysis Due. Remember to bring examples.
In-Class Work Time for Service Learning
100 Word Proposal Memo is Due
Reading for Monday : Pwonline
Introduction to Policy Writing (1.5.1)
Why Policy Writing Requires Research (1.5.1.1)
Apr. 4:
Manual & Handbooks Powerpoint
Policy Writing Questions
Handbook Analysis
Small Writing Assignment: What makes good Policy?
Reading for next class: PWonline
Proofreading (3.16.9)
Proofreading for Reports (3.16.10)
Style and Editing (3.16.eight)
Week 15: Ap 7, 9, 11
Ap 7
Small Writing Assignment Due
Reading Discussions Proofreading, Proofreading for Brochures, Instructions & Policies
In-Class Work
Ap 9
In-Class Discussion of Press Releases, Marketing material.
Analysis of Press Releases
Final Project Proposal Due Weds 9
Ap 11
Analysis of Marketing Materials
Proposal Memo Due
Clients Must be finalized at this point
Interviewing Clients
In-Class Work Day
Week 16: April 14, 16, 18
Ap 14
Discussion of Workforce & Future
International Tech Writing
Ap 16
In-Class Work Day
Meetings about Progress
Ap 18
Conferences for group in Heavilon 214