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Section 1, Spring 2000 M W 10-11:30 http://web.mit.edu/21w732/www/index.htm 14N-332, x3-3062 617-253-6910 (Fax) Office hours: Tuesday 2-5 (By appt. only) Subject Description The ability to communicate effectively is essential for success in both professional and academic work. This is true regardless of the career or major that you choose to pursue. For example, if you are in the sciences this class will help you to convey the results of your research or convince donors to support it. If you go into business it will allow you to communicate your ideas to investors or to your co-workers. Today, communication skills consist not only of the ability to write effectively, but also to convey information orally and electronically. This course will give you the opportunity to practice your communication skills in all three formats. Both your classmates and the instructor will extensively critique all written and oral performances; with the goal of helping you to become a more skillful technical communicator through extensive guided practice and feedback. Typical assignments include application letters, a resume, memoranda, a position paper, a proposal, and a research paper as well as two brief oral presentations. Class Approach We will use all the instructional methods available to us. Lecture will be minimal, mainly touching on guidelines for audiences and documents. More emphasis will be placed on discussion, especially in small discussion groups of three or four, in which various projects and readings will be examined and critiqued. We will use in-class style exercises to review the elements of style. You will be asked to have two conferences with the instructor during the term, one just after you hand in your proposal, and the other toward the end of the term. Written work will make up the bulk of your assignments. You will also be asked to give two formal oral reports to the class. Class Participation, Attendance and Deadlines It is vital that everyone attend class. Not only does this class have "communication" in its title, but students will also be expected to offer feedback on their peer’s in- and outside class writing assignments as well as their oral presentations. Therefore, attendance will be part of your grade. If you miss more than two classes your grade will be negatively affected (for every additional unexcused absence your grade will be lowered one increment, e.g. A to A-, B- to C+, etc). If you miss more than five class meetings will receive a failing grade for the course. I understand that there are very rarely unavoidable and unforeseen events that may prevent your attendance. In these cases you need to contact me, preferable by email, at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled class. Please keep in mind that "I have a final to study for/I’m tired/It’s snowing" and other excuses of that ilk are not satisfactory excuses for missing class and will affect your grade. Learning to comfortably discuss ideas with your peers is also a vital part of learning to communicate in technological organizations. It is hoped that everyone will communicate freely and not sit quietly and leave the talking to others. Punctuality both in class attendance as well as in turning in written assignments is required and failure to due so will also affect your grade. Late work maybe turned in for partial credit, with the degree of penalty to be assessed according to how late and for what reason. Late work will also be graded late and cannot be revised for grade improvement. Portfolios: Submit final drafts in a two-pocket folder that also contains classmate critiques signed by the commentator, the original graded draft of the assignment and any audience analysis or other notes that were assigned. All final drafts should be virtually free of grammatical errors, please consult your grammar book, the instructor or The Writing Center if you have any questions. Required Texts 1.) Course handouts 2.) All students are required to purchase a grammar and/or technical writing handbook. Below are several choices, you may choose one of these or find an alternative. You must have a book by the 2nd class meeting – Feb. 7th.
Writing Assignments and Grading All papers can be revised to improve your grades. If you are interested in this option please arrange a time to come by and discuss particular revisions. Failure to turn in any of the scheduled assignments will result in a failing course grade. 10% Persuasive Memo Portfolio (1-2 pages) 15% Position Paper Portfolio (4-8) 20 % Proposal Portfolio, Resume and Cover Letter (3-10, 2-3) 20% Research Paper Portfolio (8-10) 20 % Graphics/Oral Presentation Portfolio, Critiques of oral reports (20 min.) 15% Class participation, in class exercises, critiques, conferences
Writing and Communication Center support: Free individual consultations and advice are available through this great assistance center, located at 14N-317. Phone 253-3090 Email writing-center@mit.edu Website http://web.mit.edu/writing Conferences with your Instructor You will have two 20 minute conferences with me when we can talk about your writing and any other topics of interest. I am mostly interested in giving you feedback on your work and making suggestions that could help you with the assignments in class. A meeting sheet will be circulated the week before the conferences, which will probably take place the two weeks of Feb. 14th and April 24th. In recognition of the time that we will all spend on these conferences I may end class earlier than scheduled. However, this time is still available to those students who wish to discuss assignments, readings or other areas of concern/interest. |
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