Technical Communication I: Reports

Winter 2010

Section Number: 002       

Time: Tu/Th 11:45-1:10   

Location: 216 State Hall    

Instructor Information

Kim Lacey

5057 Woodward, Ste. 10404.2                        

Office Phone: 313-577-2716

E-mail: krlacey@wayne.edu

Office hours: Tu/Th 9:30-11:00 or by appointment

Department of English Course Description

ENG 3050 prepares students for reading, researching, writing, and designing technical documents.  While some technical writing addresses a lay audience (e.g., instructions), technical documents are often written for specialized audiences with multiple purposes (e.g., technical reports with executive summaries).  Technical documents incorporate both textual (writing) and visual (graphics, pictures, etc.) elements of design.  The main goals of the course are (1) to teach students to consider the audience(s) and purpose(s) in reading and writing technical documents; (2) to integrate reading, researching, writing, and designing in the standard genres of technical writing; (3) to design effective technical documents with attention to text, visuals, format, usability, documentation, and mechanics, using a flexible writing process incorporating drafts and revision; and (4) to work with current technologies for technical document design. 

Catalog Description

Instruction in basic technical writing skills.  Requirements include writing letters, memos, summaries,

instructions proposals, and technical reports.  Topics include audience and purpose analysis, textual

and visual aspects of technical document design, and formatting.

[Image credit: Modern Mechanix blog]