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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

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English 305: Advanced Technical Writing

Course Category: 
Length: 

15 hours (12 weeks).

Location: 
Various; distance learning format.
Dates: 

December 2012 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Online/distance learning
Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define technical communication and examine its characteristics; choose the right tone and select the best words for a message using nondiscriminatory language, active verbs, and active voice in business communication; identify the purpose of messages and adapt messages for the selected audience with a focus on the different channels of communication, primary and secondary research, and methods for assessing validity of sources; determine how to achieve clarity in technical communication and identify five patterns of organization used for clarity; distinguish between formal and informal reports and compare different report types (e.g., progress reports, research and lab reports, incident reports, recommendation reports, feasibility reports, and evaluation reports); contrast technical descriptions and definitions and outline the purpose of introductions, conclusions, and recommendations; assess the different types of correspondence and communication (e.g., e-mails, print communication, memos, instant and text messaging); evaluate types of resumes and the purposes for letters of employment; demonstrate how to follow the writing process to create instructions and evaluate technical instructions; differentiate between different types of manuals (print versus e-manual), assess standard operating procedure, and demonstrate how to follow the writing process to create manuals; and analyze the content and structure of proposals and compare the different proposal types.

Instruction: 

Methods of instruction include audiovisual materials and computer-based training. Major topics include: introduction to technical writing; pre-writing for technical documents; writing technical documents; technical editing and writing; elements of technical documents; business reports and proposals; technical correspondence; technical writing in business correspondence; technical resumes and cover letters; technical instructions; writing technical manuals; and how to write proposals.

Credit recommendation: 

In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in technical Writing or English (12/16) (4/22 revalidation).

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