• 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 website 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

📚 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:
  • Recommendation Report Criteria
  •  Recommendation Report Website Requirements
  • Recommendation Report Website Examples

 

📝 To Write This Week

• Complete the Chapter 02 Review and the Chapter 03 Review.
• Submit your Recommendation Website Proposal.

 

💬 To Discuss This Week

• Check in with your Accountability Group, according to the agreement that you have made. You do not need to post in Canvas. Use whatever tool your group has agreed to.
  • Encourage members of your Accountability Group to stay on track by submitting the Recommendation Website Proposal this week if possible.
  • Remind your group that Work Logs have a 5-day grace period and must be submitted by February 2.

 

📓 To Track This Week

• Track and reflect on the work you have done for the week in your Work Log for the Week of 01/24, reviewing the Weekly Work Log Guidelines if needed.

 

Photo credit: null by Beryl Chan on Flickr, used under public domain.