- Time Required
- 6 to 8 hours, including reading time
Technical writing is any kind of writing you might be called upon to produce for an audience in your particular workplace. The term refers not only to complex, lengthy, heavily-illustrated documents like reports and user guides, but also to shorter pieces of writing like memos, letters, and progress reports.
But guess what? Technical writing can take place outside the workplace as well: Did you ever
- write down a recipe for someone?
- tell someone how to get somewhere?
- describe the exact tool to use for a project?
- persuade someone to buy a particular item?
- outline the rules for a particular D&D setting?
All of these kinds of communicating are technical writing—and I bet you have a lot of experience with that kind of technical writing.
This week’s activities introduce you to the process of technical writing in general as well as to the ethical and legal considerations that influence technical writing.
Objectives for this Module
After completing this week’s activities, you will be able to
- Choose and propose a topic for a recommendation report. (CLO 4)
- Evaluate the ethical implications of your communications. (CLO 1, 2)
- Explain and apply the principles of plain language to your written communications. (CLO 1)
Activities to Complete
Due Dates
- All work is due by 11:59 PM on Friday, September 3, 2021.
- Timely Feedback Date: Submit your Topic Proposal by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 8, so I can give you feedback before you begin work on the report.
- Grace Period:
- Ends at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 8 for your Work Log.
- Ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, December 3 for the rest of the week’s work.
📚 To Read This Week
- From Markel & Selber, Technical Communication:
- Ch. 2: “Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations”
- Principles for Ethical Communication (extra summary of list from Chapter 2)
- Ch. 3. “Writing Technical Documents”
- Course Webpages:
📝 To Write This Week
- Complete the Chapter 02 Review and the Chapter 03 Review.
- Submit your Recommendation Topic Proposal.
- Respond to the Survey on Putting In Your Best Effort if you haven’t already.
💬 To Discuss This Week
No Discussing work because we have FOOTBALL 🏈 this week!
This week we’ll discuss what it means to put in your best effort, using the responses to the survey from the first week. As a result, the Discussion for Week 2 will not be available until August 30. [Removed because I'm still analyzing the survey]
📓 To Track This Week
- Track and reflect on the work you have done for the week in your Work Log for the Week of 08/30, reviewing the Weekly Work Log Guidelines if needed.
Photo credit: null by Beryl Chan on Flickr, used under public domain.