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Analysis of Writing Overview & Peer Review

Analysis of Writing Overview & Peer Review published on

This is the post for December 29, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Holiday weekend. I have designed the course so that you can catch up (or take a break) on the weekends. Since Monday is a holiday, you have a long weekend. The next new Module will be work for Tuesday, 1/2.
  • Posting on the blog. I have to approve your first comment on the blog before it appears. After I approve the first one, your comments will approve as soon as you post them. I use this strategy to keep spammers off the site.
  • Using examples wisely. The examples linked from the assignments show you what some students have done for the assignment. Don’t copy them exactly. Be original.
  • Lots of resources today. There are several additional posts today that you can comment on. Even if you decide not to comment, be sure to check out the content. It will help you with this second assignment.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Submit your Professional Bio in Canvas by 11:59PM today if you are taking advantage of the grace period.
  2. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Analysis of Writing in Your Field Overview & Peer Review Module in Canvas:
    1. Read the Analysis assignment. You will create a table of the kinds of writing in your field. The project is due on Tuesday, January 2. The grace period for the project ends on Wednesday, January 3.
    2. Read the relevant information that will help you with specific parts of your project:
      1. Find info to help with the Audience column in your project in Audience Analysis: Primary, Secondary, and Hidden Audiences (from Writing Commons). The missing image for Table 1 is available at http://writingcommons.org/images/Audience_Analysis.JPG. You can also read Chapter 2 of Technical Writing: Audience Analysis.
      2. Find info on ethics. If you are focusing on ethics in your table, check out Ethics in Technical Writing, Chapter 9 (9.1–9.6) of Technical Writing.
      3. Find info on intercultural and global issues. If you are focusing on intercultural and global issues in your table, check out Practicing Intercultural Communication from Writing Commons. The Worldwide Cellphone Etiquette Infographic (above on the right) demonstrates all the intercultural considerations that can go into something as simple as a business phone call.
        You can also read “Appreciating Different Cultures” from Wikibooks.
      4. Check any of the textbooks on the syllabus for information on the specific kinds of writing you will include in your table. The textbooks can especially help with describing the characteristics of kinds of writing.
    3. By 11:59PM, submit your 12/29 Labor Log in Canvas. Your log should cover all the work you have done for the course this week. The grace period for your log entry ends at 11:59 PM tomorrow (12/30).
  3. Compose your Analysis project in Microsoft Word. Google Docs and Excel will not allow you to format the contents within the table cells easily. Your research for this project can include looking at business writing and/or technical writing textbooks, thinking about things you have written during internships and other related jobs, and interviewing people in the field or professors who can tell you about writing in your field.
  4. Record the work you do during this long weekend in your Labor Log. I will only grade the work that you recorded through today (Friday) You’ll have another entry due next Friday, and of course, you will use the information you are tracking when you write your final exam.

 

Note: Today’s infographic needs a text-based transcript. See the Optional Accessibility Transcript Activity for more details.

 


 
Last updated on Friday, December 29, 2017

Professional Bio Submission

Professional Bio Submission published on

This is the post for December 28, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Let’s Go, Hokies! I plan to be distracted by the football game this evening. If you email or post in the Facebook Group during the game, I will probably respond after the game. Please don’t worry if you don’t receive an immediate response.
  • Like button on course website comments. I’ve added a plugin that places a Like button on each comment you make on this site. I think it’s a little small, and I would like to remove some of the extra space it has added to the comments. When I have time, I’ll try editing the plugin; so don’t worry if you notice the appearance changing. It will still work the same way.
  • Likes mean I read your post. If I like your comment here or your post in the Facebook Group, I have read what you wrote. I reply occasionally, but I try to let the class drive the conversation.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

  1. Complete the tasks and readings included in the Professional Bio Submission Module in Canvas:
    1. Learn how to improve the appearance of your documents, by reading the #Infographic, #Fact, and #Watch posts for today. Strengthen the first impression of your Professional Bio by applying these ideas before you turn in your project.
    2. Submit your Professional Bio in Canvas by 11:59PM. If you are taking advantage of the grace period, submit your bio by 11:59PM on Friday, 12/29.
  2. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log.
  3. (Optional) If you are working toward a grade higher than a B, you can add resources or advice that relate to abcdef in the Facebook Group and/or comment on the extra posts (#Infographic, #Fact, and #Watch).
  4. If you want to get ahead, you can read the assignment for the Analysis of Writing in Your Field assignment, which we will begin tomorrow.

 

Note: The infographic in today’s post needs a text-based transcript. See the Optional Accessibility Transcript Activity for more details. Infographic claimed by TC on 12/28.


 
Last updated on Thursday, December 28, 2017

Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review

Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review published on

This is the post for December 27, 2017.

Notes for Today

  • Assignments all loaded in Canvas. I’ve published the five major projects, final exam, labor logs, and group peer review sessions are in Canvas. If you are a planner who likes to map out due dates, you can now find the schedule in Canvas.
  • Writing Groups are set up. Everyone has been randomly assigned to a writing group in Canvas.
  • Error in the image on the right. The image urges you to keep up with the class on Slack; however, we are not using Slack this term. I just noticed the error. Since the rest of the information is pertinent, I decided to leave it on the post.
  • Modules in the works. I plan to have all the Modules for the term set up by the end of the week (sooner if possible). I’ve never used Modules in Canvas before, but I’ve done some research and I think that they may make it easier to follow the work that you need to do in the course. If they aren’t working or you have any suggestions for improving the setup, let me know by posting in the Facebook Group (so others can chime in).

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

Complete the tasks and readings included in the 2017-12-27: Professional Bio Overview & Peer Review Module in Canvas:

  1. Read the Online Discussion Guidelines.
  2. Collaborate to set ground rules for your writing group. The primary work of your writing group is explained in the Writing Groups Overview. To help make your work together go smoothly, your group should make a set of guidelines, or ground rules, for how you will collaborate.
  3. Draft your Professional Bio Statement assignment. Use the tips in the #Tutorial: Taking a Professional Photo to take or choose an appropriate image.
  4. Complete peer review in the Group Feedback on Professional Bios Discussion in Canvas:
    1. Share your draft with your writing group.
    2. Give feedback to the members of your writing group, following the suggestions in the #Watch: Peer Review Commenting Strategies post.
    3. Use the feedback from your group members to revise your Professional Bio (which is due Thursday, 12/28).
  5. Record the work you have done for the day in your Labor Log. You will submit your Log on Friday, 12/29, so be sure that you stay on top of your entries.
  6. (Optional) If you are working toward a grade higher than a B, you can add resources or advice that relate to professional bios in the Facebook Group and/or comment on the two extra posts (#Tutorial: Taking a Professional Photo and #Watch: Peer Review Commenting Strategies).

 

Image Credit: How to Succeed in This Online Class by Traci Gardner.

 


 
Last updated on Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Introduction to Technical Writing

Introduction to Technical Writing published on

This is the post for December 26, 2017.

This is the course website for English 3764 (Technical Writing), CRN #40296, taught by Traci Gardner at Virginia Tech during Winter Session 2017–2018.

Information on all assignments, weekly activities, and related resources for these courses will be posted here. Check this site regularly for the details on what to do for the course.

Notes for Today

  • Mandatory Syllabus Quiz due by 11:59PM Wednesday. Details are in the first bullet point under the “Tasks to Complete This Week” heading.
  • Time Commitment: Every day of the class during winter session is equivalent to a week of work during the Fall or Spring Semester. Virginia Tech classes require 36.25 hours of class time, so plan to spend about 2.5–3 hours on class work each weekday, plus time to complete your readings and compose your projects.
  • Work Hours: Normally, I am online from late afternoon through early morning hours. I’m a night owl rather than a morning person. Look for responses from me during those hours.

Readings for Today

Tasks for Today

Here’s what you need to do for this week:

  1. Complete the Course Overview Module in Canvas. You will read the various course documents and then take a syllabus verification quiz.
  2. Confirm that your notifications in Canvas are set the way you want them. Note that Canvas uses your notification preferences to determine whether to email you or text you (or not tell you at all) about information on the site. See the section "How do I adjust my notification preferences?" in the Student Getting Started with Canvas Guide for more information on setting up your notifications.
  3. Add a professional profile picture to your Canvas account. Follow the Canvas documentation to add a profile picture in your user account. Since this is an online course, your profile picture helps me see you as more than just a name on the course roll.
  4. (Optional) Join our Facebook Group and introduce yourself to everyone. Tell us a little about your career goals, your experience in your field, and any technical writing (or workplace writing) you have done. Add anything else that you like, as long as it’s appropriate for class discussion.
  5. Set up your Labor Log and record the work that you have done today. You must track the work and the time you spend doing it for this course, just as you might track the hours on a particular project in the workplace.
  6. Come back every week day for additional information about the course and the work that we will do together for that day. You can use the information on Keeping Up with the Website to set up notifications that will tell you when new information is available.

 

Image Credit: Why Good Writing Is Needed for Better Jobs from Grammarly.


 
Last updated on Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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