Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mailing Address
Mechanical Engineering Department, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Cleveland State University
1960 E. 24th St. FH232
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214

Campus Location
Fenn Hall Room 232
1960 East 24th Street
Phone: 216-687-2567
Fax: 216-687-5375
mce@csuohio.edu

ESC-102 Technical Writing & ProfessionalCommunication

Mechanical Engineering Department ]]> ESC-102 Technical Writing & Professional Communication Spring Semester, 2010

Course

Description: Technical Writing & Professional Communication teaches you how to plan, write, and revise different types of documents you will encounter in the business world. The course covers how to write documents that present technical information clearly and describes how to prepare and give oral presentations.

Prerequisite: ENG-101 English I

Instructor: Lauri Burkons

(330) 338-7064 (cell)

lburkons@neo.rr.com

Textbooks: A Guide to Writing as an Engineer, Third Edition

David Beer and David McMurrey

John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2009

The Everyday Writer, Third Edition

Andrea A. Lunsford

Beford/St. MartinÕs, 2004

Course The goals of this course are as follows:

Objectives: ► Provide an overview of technical writing

► Improve studentsÕ writing for readability, clarity, and development of logical argument

► Ensure students understand acceptable ethical standards in writing and appropriately document sources of information

► Introduce students to various media for information research

► Enable students to development effective communication skills through written and verbal means

Grading: The following lists the weight of each required activity during the semester:

Short writing assignments & in-class exercises Þ 20%

1 informal report (3-5 pages) Þ 10%

1 comprehensive project Þ 25%

(15 page group proposal/formal report + group presentation)

Mid-term Examination Þ 20%

Final Examination Þ 25%

á You must maintain an average performance level (ÒCÓ or better) in the application of the elements of standard written English to receive a passing grade.

á Class attendance is important. Some classes include in-class exercises, which relate to the graded assignments.

á Failure to attend class during group presentation sessions will affect your comprehensive project grade.

á Late assignments incur a half grade demerit.

Please turn off cell phones, pagers, and all other communication devices during class.

Course Outline

Week	Date	Main Topic(s)	In-Class Exercise(s)	Writing Assignments	Reading Assignments	Due Today
1	Tu., Jan. 19	á Course Overview á Class Expectations á Introduction to Technical Writing	á Student information forms	Exercise 1 – Write a one page explanation of your major and area of focus, as well as why you chose it as a major	Chapters 1 & 2	---
1	Th., Jan. 21	á Business and technical writing basics á Grammar review á Mechanics á Punctuation	á Parts of speech á Vocabulary	---	Chapter 3	---
2	Tu., Jan. 26	á Words, sentences, and paragraphs	á Paragraph rewrite	Exercise 2 – Rewrite exercise 1	Chapter 11	Exercise 1
2	Th., Jan. 28	á Plagiarism á Copyright, Trademarks á Documenting sources	á Citing sources á Vocabulary	---	---	---
3	Tu., Feb. 2	á How Do I Start? á Identifying Your Reader á Establishing Your Purpose á Brainstorming á Outlines	á Identify your reader á Establish your purpose á Create an outline	Exercise 3 – Identify a summer job for which you want to apply – bring contact and job information to next class	Chapters 4 & 10	Exercise 2
3	Th., Feb. 4	á Letters, memos á E-mail messages á Job search communication	á Choosing the medium á Vocabulary	Exercise 4 – Write the cover letter for your summer job application	Chapter 5	Exercise 3
4	Tu., Feb. 9	á Common engineering documents, Part 1: - Inspection & trip reports - Lab & field reports - Recommendations reports	á Formatting an informal report	Exercise 5 – Recommendation report	---	Exercise 4
4	Th., Feb 11	á Common engineering documents, Part 2: - Specifications - Progress reports	á Parts of a progress report á Vocabulary	---	Chapter 6	---
5	Tu., Feb. 16	á Engineering reports, Part 1	á Body content á Abstract versus executive summary	Exercise 6 – Write an abstract for the provided report	---	Exercise 5
5	Th., Feb. 18	á Engineering reports, Part 2	á Introductions á Conclusions á Vocabulary	---	---	---
6	Tu., Feb. 23	á Instructions	á Writing instructions	Exercise 7 – Instructions to complete a task	---	Exercise 6
6	Th., Feb. 25	á Proposals	á Parts of a proposal á Proposal formats á Vocabulary	---	---
7	Tu., Mar. 2	á Review for mid-term exam	---	---	---	Exercise 7
7	Tu., Mar. 4	MID-TERM EXAM			Chapter 7
8	Tu., Mar. 9	á Tables á Graphics - Illustrations - Charts á Photographs		Exercise 8 – Add tables and graphics to your exercise 7 assignment	Chapter 8	---
8	Th., Mar. 11	á Research á Gather information	á Internet research	---	---	---
9	March 8-12	SPRING BREAK
10	Tu., Mar. 23	á Working on teams á Individual contributions á Running effective meetings	á Teamwork exercises	á Comprehensive Project scenarios	Chapter 9	Exercise 8
10	Th., Mar. 25	á Preparing presentations	á Group meetings á Vocabulary	---	---	---
11	Tu., Mar. 30	á PowerPoint	á Create a 4-slide Powerpoint presentation (group activity)	Exercise 9 – Create a 10 slide Powerpoint presentation – include graphics	---	---
11	Th., Apr. 1	á Speaking skills	á Public speaking exercises á Vocabulary	---	---	---
12	Tu., Apr. 6	á New Internet media, Part 1 - Forums - Instant messaging - Blogs	á Selecting a blog subject á Group meetings	Exercise 10 – Write a blog post	---	Exercise 9
12	Th., Apr. 8	á New Internet media, Part 2 - Social media - Screen-sharing software	á LinkedIn accounts á Vocabulary	---	---	---
13	Tu., Apr. 13	á Group Meetings	á Final edit of report/ proposal	---	---	Exercise 10
13	Th., Apr. 15	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	Group report/proposal
14	Tu., Apr. 20	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	---
14	Th., Apr. 22	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	---
15	Tu., Apr. 27	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	---
15	Th., Apr. 29	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	---
16	Tu., May 4	á Group Presentations	á Presentation review form	---	---	---
16	Th., May 7	á Course Wrap-up	---	---	---	---
17	Th., May 13	Session 1 (T/Th 10-11:30) FINAL EXAM 8:30-10:30 am
	Tu., May 11	Session 2 (T/Th 1-2:30) FINAL EXAM 1-3 pm
	Tu., May 11	Session 3 (T/Th 4-5:30) FINAL EXAM 406 pm

Mailing Address
Mechanical Engineering Department, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Cleveland State University
1960 E. 24th St. FH232
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214

Campus Location
Fenn Hall Room 232
1960 East 24th Street
Phone: 216-687-2567
Fax: 216-687-5375
mce@csuohio.edu