WR 327 Technical Writing Ecampus

Instructor: Vicki deTal Moreland 240A Office Hours: online and by appt.
vicki.detal@oregonstate.edu
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465


WR 327 SYLLABUS

LEARNING RESOURCES: No required textbook. Readings and audio files will be available on Blackboard
or via Internet.
Suggested Reference: Purdue Online Writing Lab http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
Technical Writing (WR 327) will prepare you to produce instructive, informative, and persuasive
documents aimed at well-defined and achievable outcomes. Technical documents are precise, concise,
logically organized, and based on factual information. The purpose and target audience of each
document determine the style that an author chooses, including document layout, vocabulary, sentence
and paragraph structure, and visuals. To this end, this course will teach processes for analyzing writing
contexts and producing effective, clean, and reader-centered documents in an efficient manner. You can
expect to gather, read, and present the technical content of your field to various audiences in attractive,
error-free copy, as well as to learn strategies for presenting that content orally.

Writing II Outcomes
WR 327 counts as a Writing II baccalaureate core course. Successful students completing a Writing II
course will demonstrate their ability to:
1. Apply multiple theories, concepts, and techniques for creating and evaluating written
communication.
2. Write effectively for diverse audiences within a specific area or discipline using appropriate
standards and conventions.
3. Apply critical thinking to writing and writing process, including revision.

Writing 327 Outcomes
Successful students in WR 327 demonstrate their ability in technical writing in the following areas:
Rhetorical Knowledge: Awareness of the importance of audience and purpose to the production of
effective documents, as demonstrated by reading, analyzing, and composing written and visual
texts.
Conventions: Understanding of technical and workplace conventions, as demonstrated through the
clean and clear design, style, and layout of written and oral materials.
Information Literacy: Ability to gather and apply researched information that is appropriate to your
field, as demonstrated by using technological tools to find information, reading and analyzing
documents, and citing sources correctly.

WR 327 Assignments
1. Informational Writing: Assignment(s) in this course will require students to gather information
via primary and/or secondary research and to apply that information in a common technical
writing genre so as to inform readers about a given topic. Examples include concept definition,
procedural description, summary of results, reports, etc. These assignments will reinforce
students information literacy skills and application of technical writing conventions.
WR 327 Syllabus 2
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465

2. Persuasive Writing: Assignment(s) in this course will require students to create and support an
argument or recommendation related to a technical or workplace context. Examples include
researched proposals, responses to RFPs, paper topic proposals, usability report
recommendations, etc. These assignments will deepen students rhetorical awareness and
savvy, as well as giving them further practice with technical writing conventions.
3. Oral Communication: Assignment(s) in this course will require students to create and present
documents and/or visual presentations orally in class. The oral communication portion of this
course may relate directly to another assignment or may be a distinct assignment. This
assignment will give students practice with the conventions of oral presentations.

EVALUATION/GRADES
Course Components (1000 pts):
Formal Assignments = 65% (650):
o Extended Definition = 10% (100 points)
o Process Description and Instructions = 15% (150 points)
o Narrated Presentation = 10% (100 points)
o Final Report = 30% (300 points)
Document analysis = 10% (100 points)
Informal assignments: Reading quizzes, writing exercises, mechanics exercises, and discussion
board posts = 10% (100 points)
Exam: Writing Principles = 10% (100 points)
Professionalism*: Active and positive workplace communication = 5% (50 points)

Notes:
*Professionalism includes: 1) demonstrating active interest in and commitment to discussions,
readings, and writing assignments, and 2) communicating professionally and respectfully in
class, via email, and on Blackboard.
You must receive passing grades on all four formal assignments to pass the course.
C work is complete and meets all requirements of the assignment. A work is complete and
demonstrates exceptional focus, understanding, critical thinking, effort, clarity, accuracy, and
organization.

OSU Grade Values:
WR 327 uses the grading guidelines established by Oregon State University
(http://catalog.oregonstate.edu/ChapterDetail.aspx?key=9)

Points/letter grade equivalents: A=940-1000; A- = 900-939; B+ = 870-899; B=840-869; B- = 800-839; C+ =
770-799; C=740-769; C- = 700-739.

A= exceptional
B= superior
C= average (assignment meets requirements)
D= does not meet C standards (likely incomplete/partial work)
F= fail

Mechanics:
In the workplace, your credibility is diminished when you submit a technical document containing errors
in punctuation, grammar, paragraphing, formatting, spelling, etc. Therefore, in WR 327, you must learn
to produce error-free documents. In other words, mechanics count! A formal assignment with more
WR 327 Syllabus 3
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465

than 3 errors per page cannot receive an A grade. So use the Writing Center, study rules for style and
mechanics, visit me in my office or online, and leave plenty of time for revision and proofreading.

Late Work:
Late assignments may occasionally be accepted for reduced credit, with prior instructor approval, and if
student is in good standing in the course. Approved late submission will reduce the assignment grade 1
letter grade per 24 hours. (Example: a B+ paper due at 2:00 p.m. on Monday will receive a C+ if
submitted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.)

Blackboard Announcements and Email:
Check email and announcements often for possible updates to schedules and assignments. The most
current course information will always be posted in Blackboard announcements.

To email:
Send all email from your ONID account.
Use professional email subject line and content:
o Subject line should indicate class name and topic (WR 327 IEEE Question)
o Body should include salutation, complete sentences, and signature.
o Standard practice is to address women in the workplace (and university) by the
appropriate professional title. When in doubt, always use Ms. or a first and last name
NOT Mrs. or Miss.

POLICIES
Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty is not tolerated at Oregon State University. Any plagiarismuse of
someone elses writing (including sentences, sentence structure, and phrases), information, or ideas
without proper paraphrasing, attribution, and citationswill result in an F on the paper or for the term.
A written report of Academic Dishonesty will be filed with the Deans office for further disciplinary
action. Recycling your own work from other classes is also not allowed.

Note: The phrase intentional plagiarism was recently omitted from OSUs definition of plagiarism. This
means that all plagiarism (even accidental) is treated as intentional. Therefore: If youre not sure, ask!

Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access
Services (DAS) with accommodations approved through DAS. Students are responsible for contacting the
faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss
accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet
obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.