W 5

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); notecards and introductions.

M 10

prep: familiarize yourself with class website and bookmark it:
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~pwtc/tw/

class: correspondence (memos,email and formal letters); cover letters

W 12

prep: look at resumes of last year's class at:
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~pwtc/software/

Print out two resumes on which you might model your own.

class: resumes.

M 17

prep: none
recommended reading: Interview Blunders Often Culprit For Missed Opportunities (Wall Street Journal)

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

W 19

prep: draft of cover letter and resume due

class: in-class workshop of cover letter and resume; introduction to functional description and physical description

M 24

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

class: introduction to scientific articles and abstracts, scientific journalism; book and article reviews

W 26

prep: none

class: abstracts; book reviews

note: class meets in 1620 Du Bois library today
prep: none

class: read or at least glance through Chapter 4: "Conducting Research" in the online textbook.

W 3

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

M 8 -- COLUMBUS DAY -- no class -- we meet on Tuesday instead: SEE BELOW.

T 9 -- class: research exercise; class meets in Du Bois Library in main lobby on first floor

W 10

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

M 15

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

W 17

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

class: 1) review and discussion of research answers; 2) introduction to FEASIBILITY STUDY and FORMAL GRANT PROPOSAL assignments and relevant information/principles

M 22

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. Come to class prepared to present three ideas.

class: reports; in-class presentation and discussion of ideas for proposals.

prep: read Chapter One (pp. 1-57) of Rabiner and Fortunato’s Thinking Like Your Editor.

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

W 24

prep: TBA

class: TBA

M 29

prep: none

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

W 31

prep: none

class: research day for controversy presentation teams

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

class: research day for controversy negotiation teams

W 7

prep: be prepared to discuss your strategy for the presentation
class: a crash course in public speaking; using Microsoft PowerPoint

M 12

[no class - Veteran's Day]

W 14

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

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

W 21

class cancelled; on your own: read the online proposal guidelines and examples on the course website.   

M 26

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

W 28

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

M 3

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

W 5

prep: (short assignment #5: PROGRESS REPORT due)

class: TBA

M 10

prep: none

class: workshop proposals

W 12

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

class: conclusions; evaluations.

F 14

I will examine and comment upon the first drafts of your FORMAL PROPOSAL and leave them (for you) in my mailbox by 5 PM.

(reading period: Dec 14; exams: Dec 15-22)

W 19

Final draft of FORMAL PROPOSAL due in my mailbox in Bartlett (corridor outside the main offices on the first floor) before 4 PM.