W 3

introduction to the Professional Writing and Technical Communication program, the Nonfiction Writing specialization; brief definitions of types of writing within the purview of the course (technical writing, science writing, medical writing, general non-fiction writing), and writing outside the purview of the course (business writing, journalism and memoir).

F 5

prep: familiarize yourself with the course website for engl 379: introduction to professional writing and bookmark it.

class: correspondence (memos, email and formal letters); cover letters; how to read a job ad

M 8

prep: look at resumes of last year's class at:
engl 391c: advanced software. Print out two resumes on which you might model your own.

class: resumes

W 10

prep: none

class: resumes

F 12

prep: none

class: the job application process: references, portfolios and interviews

M 15

prep: draft of cover letter and resume due

class: in-class workshop of cover letter and resume

W 17

prep: (short assignment #1: COVER LETTER and RESUME due)

class: introduction to physical description

F 19

prep: none

class: introduction to functional description

M 22

prep: read Williams, Part One: Style as Choice (pp. 3-30); review Appendix (on punctuation) and Glossary (pp. 236-268)

class: review and discussion of reading; punctuation; passive and active voice; misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Please bring the Williams text to class.

W 24

prep: read Williams, Part Two: Clarity. Give special attention to the “Here’s the point” boxes.

class: review of reading; introduction to scientific research and review articles; overview of scientific journalism. Please bring the Williams text to class.

F 26

prep: none

class: abstracts; book reviews

M 29

prep: see class research resources website; glance through Chapter 4: "Conducting Research" in the online textbook.

class: introduction to research strategies and materials

W 1

prep: none

class: research exercise; class meets in DuBois Library in main lobby on first floor

F 3

prep: none

class: research exercise; class meets in DuBois Library in main lobby on first floor

M 6

class: research exercise; class meets in DuBois Library in main lobby on first floor

W 8

class: research exercise; class meets in DuBois Library in main lobby on first floor

F 10

class: research exercise; class meets in DuBois Library in main lobby on first floor

M 13 (no class)

T 14

(Monday class schedule)

prep: (short assignment #2 -- LIBRARY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT due)

class: 1) review and discussion of research answers; 2) introduction to FORMAL GRANT PROPOSAL assignment, which will necessitate introductions to foundations, nonprofits, formal grant proposals and the grant-seeking process. Please bring Johnson-Sheehan to class, as we will be referring to the text.

W 15

prep: read Chapters One and Two in Johnson-Sheehan's Writing Proposals (pp. 1-33). Skim the rest of the book to familiarize yourself with its range and subject coverage. Note especially the "example proposals" that begin on page 235.

class: video “Spider.”

F 17

prep: be prepared to present three ideas for grant proposals.

class: presentation and discussion of ideas for grant proposals

M 20

prep: be prepared to present three ideas for grant proposals.

class: presentation and discussion of ideas for grant proposals

W 22

prep: none

class: nonfiction books; the publishing process; careers in publishing

F 24

prep: read Williams, Part Three: Grace / Lesson Seven: Concision (pp. 111-30)

class: practice with concision; feasibility studies and progress reports. Please bring the Williams text to class.

M 27 (mid-semester – last day to drop with a “W.”)

prep: read Williams, Part Three: Grace / Lesson Eight: Shape / Lesson Nine: Elegance (pp. 131-182)

class: practice with shape and elegance. Please bring the Williams text to class.

W 29

prep: none

class: group brainstorming of scientific, medical and/or technical controversies

F 31

prep: none

class: group brainstorming of scientific, medical and/or technical controversies; controversy topics and teams are chosen.

M 3

prep: none

class: research day for controversy presentation teams

W 5

prep: (short assignment #3: FEASIBILITY STUDY due)

F 7

prep: none.

class: research day for controversy presentation teams

M 10

class: a crash course in public speaking; using Microsoft PowerPoint

W 12

(Tuesday schedule – no class meeting)

F 14

class: rehearsal day or research day (as necessary) for controversy presentation teams

M 17

class: PRESENTATION ON A SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND/OR
TECHNICAL CONTROVERSY #1

W 19

class: PRESENTATION ON A SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND/OR
TECHNICAL CONTROVERSY #2

F 21
class: PRESENTATION ON A SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND/OR
TECHNICAL CONTROVERSY #3

M 24

class: PRESENTATION ON A SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND/OR
TECHNICAL CONTROVERSY #4

W 26

class: PRESENTATION ON A SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND/OR
TECHNICAL CONTROVERSY #5

THANKSGIVING RECESS

class: intellectual property: patents.

W 3

prep: (short assignment #4: PROGRESS REPORT due)

class: more intellectual property: copyright and trademarks.

F 5

prep: read Williams, Part Four: Clarity of Form (pp. 183-210)

class: workshop proposals. Please bring the Williams text to class.

M 8

prep: (First draft of FORMAL GRANT PROPOSAL due). This draft will
not count toward your final grade.

class: workshop proposals

W 10

prep: none

class: workshop proposals

F 12

class: conclusions; evaluations.

reading period: Dec 13-14; exams: Dec 15-20)

M 15 I will examine and comment upon your FORMAL GRANT PROPOSAL first drafts and leave them (for you) in my mailbox by 4 PM.

W 17 Final draft of Formal Grant Proposal due in my mailbox in Bartlett (corridor outside the main offices on the first floor) before 4 PM.