Standard

ENG 102 - Technical Writing

Course Description

Emphasizes practical knowledge of technical communication techniques, procedures, and reporting formats used in industry and business. Topics include: composition/grammar review, technical communications, construction of informal reports, business letters, oral reports, graphics use, information collection, and production of technical reports. Homework assignments reinforce classroom learning.

Competency Areas		Hours
Composition/Grammar Review		Class	5
Technical Communications		D. Lab	0
Construction of Informal Reports		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Business Letters		Credit	5
Oral Reports
Graphics Use
Information Collection
Production of Technical Reports
Prerequisite:	ENG 101, ENG 098, or entrance English score in accordance with approved DTAE admission score levels; and RDG 098, or entrance reading score in accordance with approved DTAE admission score levels
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
COMPOSITION/GRAMMAR REVIEW		8	0	0
Standard usage	Apply standard usage such as mechanics, subject/verb agreement, and complete sentences in paragraph composition.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS		1	0	0
Definition of technical communications	Analyze the organization, purpose, and audience of technical reports.
Audience analysis	Learn to analyze the effect of writing in an organization.
CONSTRUCTION OF INFORMAL REPORTS		15	0	0
Analysis of various types of reports	Use appropriate organization, style, formatting, and grammar to write short reports such as memos, definitions, descriptions of mechanisms, instructions, process analysis, summary reports, field trip reports, and progress reports.
	Incorporate editing techniques, preferably using word processing.
BUSINESS LETTERS		5	0	0
Business letters	Write letters that handle such topics as inquiries, complaints, sales, and applications.
ORAL REPORTS		4	0	0
Delivery	Deliver oral reports based on writing assignment using appropriate format and style.
GRAPHICS USE		4	0	0
Purpose of graphics	Recognize the impact of graphics on effective report writing.
Production of graphics	Incorporate relevant graphic aids in various types of reports.
INFORMATION COLLECTION		3	0	0
Primary sources	Use primary sources.
	Compile primary information through surveys, questionnaires, or on-site visits.
PRODUCTION OF TECHNICAL REPORTS		10	0	0
Proposal/feasibility study	Write a technical proposal or a feasibility study based on information collected, including graphics, documentation, and appropriate formatting.

Suggested Resources

Suggested Resources include textbooks shown below or most current edition.

Books

Graham, S. Y., & Barth, M. E. (1986). The Harbrace college workbook, Form 10C: Writing for the world of work. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Lewis, S. D., et al. (1991). Writing skills for technical students (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Vanalstyne, J. S. (1990). Professional and technical writing strategies (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.