ENGL 379: introduction to professional writing
fall 2008
syllabus

Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace (9th Edition) 2006. # ISBN-10: 0321479351; # ISBN-13: 978-0321479358

Toomey David and Christian Pulver. ENGL 379: Introduction to Professional Writing Course Packet. 2007.

The main page of ENGL 379: Introduction to Professional Writing features links to the course calendar and course requirements. It also features sample documents, an online textbook, and links to professional societies associated with professional writing and technical communication. You should find it useful for locating samples of all assignments in the course.

Four short written assignments averaging five pages each, and participation in an oral presentation of a scientific or technical controversy. Each of these these (the short written assignments and the presentation) are weighted equally (14% of the final grade) ; together they total 70% of final grade.

The remaining assignment is a formal proposal. It is counted as 30% of final grade.

Participation in class and in-class writing assignments will not be subject to a grade, but it will be expected. You should be familiar with the assigned reading or website links by the date at which they appear on the calendar. Participation in class and in-class writing assignments will be expected, and especially constructive participation may raise a final grade by several points.

late papers

Deadlines are important in the professional world; they will be regarded as important in this class. Please notify me at least one day in advance that you will be late with an assignment. You will not be penalized for the first late paper. Each subsequent second late paper lowers your final grade a letter grade (e.g., from B to BC).

attendance

The classroom is an intellectual community, and your participation in that community is necessary to its well-being.  Accordingly, attendance in all class meetings is expected.  If you miss more than two meetings without sufficient cause, your final grade will be lowered by half a letter grade (e.g., from B to B-). 

plagiarism

Your instructors have been known to deal quite harshly with plagiarists.