Effective communication depends largely on understanding your audience. Your audience’s expectations, characteristics, knowledge level, and information needs determine the content you choose to present, the depth of detail you provide, the overall tone or attitude of your writing, and even the purpose you establish for your communication.
Effective communication depends largely on understanding your audience. Your audience’s expectations, characteristics, knowledge level, and information needs determine the content you choose to present, the depth of detail you provide, the overall tone or attitude of your writing, and even the purpose you establish for your communication.
In addition to knowing the importance of analyzing audience, you should also be able to distinguish a document’s primary and secondary audiences.
Primary audiences are the major intended readers for your document. In the workplace, your primary audience is the person or persons who will understand and act on your message.
Secondary audiences are the other potential readers of your document. These are people who may receive a copy of your document.
Most workplace communication has a combination of primary and secondary audiences. For example, people attended your presentation (primary audience) might later share information about your presentation and your handouts with people who didn’t attend (secondary audience).
Assignment Guidelines
For this assignment, choose two (2) websites that present information on the same subject. However, the two (2) websites should be aimed at different primary audiences. One website should be designed for a non-technical audience and the other for a technical/specialized audience.
Write a memo to your instructor analyzing both websites and their audiences (primary and secondary) and explain the persuasive strategies each website uses to serve its primary audience’s needs.
Synthesize your analysis to the following questions:
Note: You need to answer all of these questions; your failure to answer all questions will result in point deductions.
What primary audiences do the two websites seem to aim for? What kind of knowledge do the audiences seem to possess about the subject matter? What are their age(s), genders, education level, occupations, and cultural background?
Who are the secondary audiences of these websites? Who else might use information found on these sites?
What persuasive strategies do the websites employ to appeal to their primary audiences? Do they use claims? Do they make an effort to connect with the audience? (See pages 48-51 of your textbook for more on persuasion)
To what extent do the websites use technical language? Do you see any examples of jargon? Give examples
How long is the average sentence in each website? How long is the average paragraph? Does this tell you anything about the audience?
How formal/informal are their respective style? Why?
Is there advertising? If so, what do the ads tell you about the audience?
Do the website use tables, graphs, figures, illustrations or images? How different are they on the two websites?
Requirements
Keep in mind that your purpose is to compare and contrast the two websites, not merely to describe them (Failure to compare and contrast will result in a 20-point deduction)
Do not simply type the questions followed by your answers. Like all professional memos, this one should summarize and organize the information into coherent and well-written narratives (Failure to use a narrative will result in 5-point deduction)
Format: Use a business memo format. (Failure to use a business memo format will result in 10-point deduction)
Minimum word requirement: 750 words (Failure to meet the minimum word count will result in a 5-point deduction)
Make sure to include the Websites’ URLs in your memo (Failure to include working URLs will result in a 5-point deduction)
In-text citations and reference page should use APA format.
ENGL2338 Technical Writing
Unit 2 Assignment
Technical Object Description
This assignment asks that you select a technical object and write a description of its looks, features, and functions. In completing this assignment, you will learn how to define and describe a technical object to someone who has little knowledge with it. You must examine an actual object in your possession.
When selecting a technical object there are some objects that are not allowed for this assignment. These include: smartphones, pocket calculators, video game console or controllers, and fitness trackers due to the internet having easily available technical specifications of these items. Moreover, the four objects from the Subjective/Objective Language discussion are also not eligible for this assignment. If you chose to work with one of the objects that is not allowed, ten (10) points will be deducted from your final grade on the assignment. You are not to copy/paste and cite someone else’s technical specifications of an object. That is not the point of this assignment. Rather, you are to conduct the measurements yourself and conduct light research.
Assignment Guidelines
You will choose your own topic (with exception of the not allowed technical objects listed in the previous section) for this assignment. The subject of your description must be a technical object (e.g., clock radio, digital thermostat, Roomba, CPAP machine, blender, food processor, etc.). Because you must accurately describe an object in at least 500 words, do not pick something too simple such as a paper clip. Choose a topic that is complex but manageable. Once you have identified a technical object, research it. Take time to learn about what the parts are called, and how the parts work. This might require you to read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic.
Audience and Content Requirements
Your primary audience would be someone who has little experience with the object that you are describing (e.g., if you select a stapler, then you need to imagine an audience of people who have little experience with the object, perhaps children).
Regardless of the object, your final paper should be at least 500 words; you must include ALL of the following contents in your description (given in order of how the content should appear in your paper):
Introduction (DO NOT label the introduction “introduction” per APA guidelines)
Orient your audience by providing a one-sentence definition of the object (first sentence)
Preview its various parts (2-3 sentences)
Discuss its uses and functions (1-2 sentences)
Preview the content of your description (1 sentence)
Detailed Description of the Object
Describe each part of the object in detail, including its dimensions, materials, principles(s) of operation, function, and relation other parts (2-3 paragraphs)
Use the present tense
When introducing a new concept or term, you do need to provide a brief definition for a non-technical audience, e.g.:
“The bezel, or outer ring connecting to the lugs, allows the wearer to set a different time zone”
You will notice in this sentence the definition for the term “bezel” is a subordinate clause and is not its own separate sentence. You can also use parenthesis for definitions in the same sentence.
Conclusion
Re-state the major use(s) and function(s) of the object to solicit the audience’s support or awareness of the object
Note: Do not use the second person POV or personal pronouns in an object description.
Document Design and Illustrations
Give careful thought to illustrations and design elements:
Use headings and sub-headings throughout the document. Mark the body and conclusion of your document with headings (again, do not mark the introduction per APA guidelines). Use sub-headings to indicate the beginning of each part/component of the object you are describing.
Do not write large chunks of text without headings and sub-headings
Single-space the text
You must include at least two illustrations.
You may create your own, use illustrations from other sources or adapt illustrations from other sources.
Make sure you provide source information for all illustrations immediately below each illustration using APA guidelines (see lesson 2.4 for more information).
Apply as many of the four basic design principles as possible (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity) to enhance the reader’s orientation and understanding of the document.
Use serif and sans-serif typefaces for the header and body;
Use up to two complementary colors;
Place like content in proximity to each other; and,
Make sure all of the elements have alignment.
Design your document for consistency (grid patterns, margins, justification, white space, indentation, font style and size). Review pages 128-131 in the course textbook
Requirements
Keep in mind that your purpose is to describe the object yourself, not rely upon external sources to do the work for you. (Inclusion of cited manufacture specifications will result in a 20-point deduction).
Using one of the objects that is not allowed will result in 10-point deduction.
Minimum word requirement: 500 words (Failure to meet the minimum word count will result in a 5-point deduction)
Make sure to include URLs for citations, as needed (Failure to include working URLs will result in a 5-point deduction)
ENGL2338 Technical Writing
Unit 3 Assignment
Unit 3 Final Draft, Job Materials Assignment
Job Materials Assignment
For this assignment, you will create one document that has two items:
A Job Application Letter
A Résumé
You will need to research job leads to find an actual job announcement that advertises a position for which you are qualified. Search national job sites like Monster.com, Indeed.com, Careerbuilder.com, and USAJobs.gov.
Research the Company or Organization. You must research the company or organization that advertised the job announcement. You can research the company in a variety of ways. For instance, you can find the company’s Website if one is available; or you may obtain a copy of the company’s annual report; or, if you know someone who works for that company, you can network with employees of the company
The goal here is for you to become more informed about the company in general—its product line, its past and current successes, and its plans for future development. Ideally, you should use some of this information to your advantage in your application letter. The best application letters not only demonstrate how you are well qualified, but also show how you can make specific contributions to the company. Remember that the chief aim of an application letter is to help you get an interview. Your letter should persuade the reader that you are the best applicant for the position.
Requirements for the Application Letter
Review the information on application letters in Chapter 9 and write a job application letter with an effective introduction, body, and conclusion. The job-application letter, which is the first thing the reader sees, expands upon a few of the points made in the résumé. The typical letter has at least three parts, and your letter should have all of them:
Introduction. The first paragraph establishes why you are writing to your reader. State that you are looking for a particular position and explain why you would like to work at that particular company. You should also identify the source where you find the job opening information. Forecast the body of the letter by stating your major qualifications for the job.
Body. The body of the letter develops each qualification (education and experience) with specific evidence. The goal is to show that you know what the employer needs and that you meet the requirements. You may organize this section around your education, around your training and experience, or around what the job or the company requires.
Conclusion. You should end the letter politely and include a reference to the enclosed résumé, a request for an interview, and your phone number and e-mail address.
Format
Your letter must meet all of the formatting requirements of a good business letter. It should use the block format. If possible, wrote no more than one page. The letter should contain all of the elements covered in the chapter about letters.
Heading (sender’s address)
Date
Inside address (full address, including title, for the person who is addressed)
Salutation
Body text (introduction, body, conclusion)
Complimentary closing (“Sincerely,” or “Sincerely yours,”)
Signature
Typed name
Enclosure notation (“Encl. Résumé”)
Requirements for the Résumé
The purpose of the résumé is to describe your qualifications for work. Review the information on résumés in the textbook carefully and then design and write a professional résumé.
You should create either a functional or reverse chronological résumé tailored for the specific job opening. If you have limited job experience, a gap in experience or are changing careers, you must create a functional résumé. If you have mid-level experience and beyond, you must create a chronological résumé.
A functional résumé should be no longer than one page, and a chronological résumé with over 15-20 years of experience can be two pages, and both must contain all of the following elements:
Heading (full name, address, phone, and email address)
Education (schools, majors, minors, and dates of graduation; omit high school education unless it is a specialized high school)
Work Experience (employer’s name, the position you hold, dates of employment, and a list or description of duties and responsibilities for each position)
Certifications (optional)
Interests and Activities (optional)
DO NOT write an objective statement or include “References Available Upon Request” (Employers assume your objective–to get a job–and also indicate if they want references)
Your style should be formal. You need not use complete sentences, but you should use a concise, active style and show consistency in expression from section to section. When making lists, be sure to use the parallel structure (They should match one another in tense and form).
Requirements
Failure to use a functional format when you have limited experience, a gap in employment, or are changing careers will result in 10-point deduction
You can use specialized descriptive 2-3 word phrases or single words in your documents (copy/pasting an external source’s sentences, sentence fragments, job descriptions will result in the assignment turned over to the Office of Student Conduct for an academic integrity violation)
Copyedit, copyedit, and copyedit again–read your work out loud, verbally to hear errors. Have a friend find errors.
Make sure to include the website URL in the comment to instructor box available via Canvas so that the coaches/instructor can view the job announcement (Failure to include a working URL will result in a 5-point deduction)
ENGL2338 Technical Writing
Unit 4 Assignment
Final Draft Instructions Assignment
Instructions
Instructions are among the most common types of documents in technical writing. Instructions are everywhere informing readers how to make, assemble or create something. You may have followed instructions on how to log onto a computer at work to download and use an App on your Smartphone or how to put together furniture. It is likely that you will create instructions often in your career if not as a formal document then at least in a variety of informal written and oral communications.
Keep in mind the differences among instructions, process descriptions, and procedures:
Instructions inform readers how to assemble, make, create something or perform a specific task
Process descriptions tell how something works (e.g., how a drug works to relieve systems of seasonal allergies). While instructions are about how to use something, descriptions are about how that thing works (e.g., how to take a prescription drug vs. how that drug works in the human body).
Procedures are standardized ways of doing things in organizations.
For this assignment, you will focus on writing and designing effective instructions.
Assignment Guidelines
Choose a Technical or Scientific Topic. Begin by reviewing the assigned reading for unit 4. You will then choose your own topic for this assignment. In order to give you practice in technical writing, you must choose a technical or scientific topic. Recipes are not technical or scientific, and thus are not allowed. Ideally, a topic requires a series of steps for assembly or various specific tasks to complete. A topic relevant to nursing may be a good idea, but topics such as “checking blood pressure” “collecting a urine sample” “creating a face mask” and “inserting a catheter” are too common and are not allowed for this assignment.
Choose a topic involving ten (10) or more steps. The following are a few examples of projects from previous classes:
How to set up a family budget
How to build a compost bin
How to change a car tire
How to assemble a skateboard
How to change an electrical outlet
How to perform an EKG
How to perform an ultrasound
Write to a specific audience. You must specify an audience for your instructions. In most instances, your audience should be novice–someone who has never performed the task before. Sample audiences for the instructions mentioned above include home computer owners, small business owners, and homeowners.
Acknowledge all sources. If you use any sources for your instructions, acknowledge your sources on an APA reference page and include this page with your instructions. If you use or adapt illustrations from another source, use APA captions and provide a reference for each illustration.
Format
Regardless of your task, you must include all of the following contents (any omission of the following contents will result in grade deductions):
Introduction. Here you will give your reader the following information:
The audience in terms of its knowledge and need for the instructions
What the instructions will allow readers to do
What skill level the audience should have to perform the task successfully
An overview of the steps needed to complete the task
A sense of how long the task will take
Where they should perform the task, i.e., in a well ventilated area, outside, on a flat surface, etc.
List of Materials, Tools, or Ingredients
Figures (Diagrams, Drawings, Photographs, Illustrations, or Tables)
Include captions for each figure
Label figures using APA guidelines
Give attribution to figures in references
List of Steps, in chronological order, with the following characteristics:
Ten (10) or more steps
Use of the imperative mood, i.e., “Attach the red wire” rather than “The red wire is attached.” With the second, passive sentence, readers will not know whether the wire is already attached or if they need to attach the wire.
Each step must have one specific action only, e.g., “Turn the knob one complete turn.” and not an elaboration or comment, e.g., “Turning the knob will result in a better fit.”
Each step must have one or two sentences max
Use of the second person (you)
Include warnings or cautions before readers will encounter problems
Parallel form (see page 97 in the course textbook)
And, if needed, your instructions should also contain:
Warnings
Glossary of terms
References
Appendices
Document Design and Figures:
Give careful thought to figures and design elements that will make your instructions effective.
Make sure all of your steps are numbered, 1-2-3, throughout
Single space the text in paragraphs
You must include two figures. You may create your own or adapt from other sources. Make sure you provide figure information for each one and document with APA standards
Use as many of the four basic design principles, CRAP, as possible
Design your document for consistency (grid patterns, margins, justification, negative space, indentation, typeface, font style and size)
Design your document for navigation and emphasis (headings, color, shading, boldface, italic, and underlining, bulleted and numbered lists)
You must use a two-column format
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