• Time Required
• 5 to 6 hours, including reading time

Welcome to Technical Writing. Information on all assignments, weekly activities, and related resources for this course will be posted here on Canvas. Check this site regularly for the details on what to do for the course.

As noted in the Course Manual, this course is designed to acquaint you with the concepts and modes of writing that you will encounter in the workplace. In terms of what you will be writing about and the genres you will be learning, you should expect this course to be very different from first-year writing (composition) and other courses in which you have produced written work.

This first module is designed to introduce you to the structure and the expectations for this course and to make you aware of resources that are available to you as a student.

 

Objectives for this Module

After completing this introductory module, you will be able to

• Identify the course policies, schedule, and expectations.
• Describe the course grading policies and standards.
• Identify the technology requirements for the course.
• Understand what learner support services are available to you, as well as identify privacy and accessibility policies and resources.

 

Activities to Complete

📚 To Read This Week

These readings are designed to orient you to the course plan, expectations, and grading standards, as well as to provide you with information about technology requirements, learner support, and privacy.

1. A Short Guide to Technical Writing
   This guide explains how the course works. It provides details on the typical course schedule, the assessment and feedback system, and advice on how to do well in the course.
   
   
2. Course Manual
   This manual includes all the details, requirements, and policies for the course. The links below take you to the specific section of the manual. It may take a moment for the section to scroll into view:
   • • Course Syllabus
     • Course Teacher
     • How to Contact Me
     • Course Structure
     • Requirements & Course Expectations
     • Assessment Policies
     • Policies & Resources
       • Accessibility
       • Communication Guidelines
       • Honor Code
       • Late Policy (Grace Period)
       • Learner Support
       • Privacy
       • Religious Holidays & Events
       • Technology Requirements
3. Markel & Selber, Chapter 1, “Understanding the Technical Communication Environment”
   
   
4. Characteristics of a Technical Document & Measures of Excellence in Technical Documents

 

📝 To Write This Week

• Complete the Syllabus Review, after reading the material for the week.
• Respond to the Survey on Putting In Your Best Effort.
• Take the Chapter 01 Review. If you do not have the textbook, you can complete this activity later.

 

💬 To Discuss This Week

These Discussions are a way to begin getting to know one another while writing basic recommendations. Choose at least one of these Discussions and reply with your recommendation:

• Best Places to Work on Campus
• Best Places to Work Off Campus (in and around Blacksburg)
• Best Places to Destress (Anywhere)

 

📓 To Track This Week

• Track and reflect on the work you have done for the week in your Work Log for the Week of 08/23, reviewing the Weekly Work Log Guidelines if needed.

 

Photo Credit: Typer by Caleb Roenigk on Flickr, used under a CC-BY 2.0 license.