Course Information
COMM 4240: Technical Writing
Online
Course MapLinks to an external site.
Instructor Information
Hayden Coombs
Office Number: AFEC 213 J
Office Hours: Monday 9-5, Tuesday 10-4, other days by appointment.
Phone: (435) 586-7751
Email/Canvas Inbox: haydencoombs@suu.edu
Instructor’s Response Time & Feedback
Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial How do I view assignment comments from my InstructorLinks to an external site..
It is my goal to:
- Respond to student messages within 1 business day
- Provide grades and feedback within 2 – 4 days from the due date
Catalog Description
3 Credit(s)
This course focuses on practical types of writing used in business and industry. Using principles of analyzing and planning to meet the reader’s informational needs, students produce proposals, instructions, and the various types of informative and persuasive reports used in organizations. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]
Registration Restriction(s): None
Course Materials
Markel, M. Practical Strategies for Technical Communication, 2nd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1319003364, ISBN-10: 1319003362
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognize Markel’s Eight Measures of Excellence: honesty, clarity, accuracy, comprehensiveness, accessibility, conciseness, professional appearance, and correctness, and utilize them for effective communication.
- Evaluate the aspects of each communication situation: audience, purpose, and context.
- Create effective professional memos, proposals, technical definitions, and reports.
- Integrate visual items in technical documents.
- Analyze, incorporate, and attribute data from research.
Course Assessment Table
| Course Assessments | Course Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 1, 2, 5 |
| Learning Evaluations | 1, 2, 5 |
| Writing Assignments | 3, 4 |
| Final Exam | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Assignment Outline
Quizzes
You will have 7 quizzes in this course; one for each module. Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice questions that will come from your textbook. You will have 50 minutes and one attempt to complete each quiz. Quizzes must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your textbook and notes when completing the quizzes.
Learning Evaluations
You will have 2 learning evaluations to complete in each module, for a total of 14 over the course of the semester (one for each chapter). Each learning evaluation will be in the form a 250-word discussion post about the topic covered in the chapter you’re currently reading. Learning evaluations will gauge your ability to apply concepts discussed in the chapter to real-life situations. After posting your initial evaluation, you will be required to respond to a classmate’s post within 48 hours of the initial post’s due date.
Writing Assignments
You will have 7 major writing assignments in this course; one for each module. Each writing assignment will explore the concepts you learned throughout the module. The assignments will vary in length and style depending on the material addressed in the module. Examples include job application materials, professional memos, and a promotional flyer. Writing assignments must be submitted no later than the assigned due date.
Final Exam
You will have a comprehensive final exam consisting of 70 questions. Much like the quizzes, the final exam will be multiple choice that will come from your textbook. You will have 140 minutes and one attempt to complete the exam. The exam will be available once all assignments in module 7 close. You may use your textbook and notes when completing the final exam.
Grade Scheme
The following grading standards will be used in this class:
| Course Assessments | Points | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 140 | 25 |
| Learning Evaluations | 140 | 25 |
| Writing Assignments | 140 | 25 |
| Final Exam | 140 | 25 |
| Total | 560 | 100 |
| Grade | Range |
|---|---|
| A | 100 % to 94.0% |
| A- | < 94.0 % to 90.0% |
| B+ | < 90.0 % to 87.0% |
| B | < 87.0 % to 84.0% |
| B- | < 84.0 % to 80.0% |
| C+ | < 80.0 % to 77.0% |
| C | < 77.0 % to 74.0% |
| C- | < 74.0 % to 70.0% |
| D+ | < 70.0 % to 67.0% |
| D | < 67.0 % to 64.0% |
| D- | < 64.0 % to 61.0% |
| F | < 61.0 % to 0.0% |
Student Responsibilities
As this is an online course your attendance will be measured by your participation and completion of course activities.
Because we are trying to simulate a realistic work environment in this course, late work will not be accepted. All work is due on the day indicated on the course calendar. Late assignments are not acceptable in this course and will receive a grade of zero.
This course is delivered entirely online. You will be required to have access to a computer or web-capable mobile device and have consistent access to the internet to either view or download the necessary course resources and to attempt any auto-graded course assessments and the final exam. It will be up to you to complete all readings, learning assessments, videos, quizzes, and exams on your own. Every assignment in this course is designed to take multiple hours and test your knowledge of the week’s readings, so please don’t think you can get everything done on a Saturday night.
Program and Course FeesLinks to an external site.
Institutional Policies & Procedures
Southern Utah University Syllabus Policy Statements:Links to an external site.
- Academic Integrity
- ADA Statement
- Emergency Management Statement
- HEOA Compliance Statement
- Link Statement
- SUUSA Statement
- Zoom Etiquette
- COVID-19 Statement for Fall 2020
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
SUU Campus Resources and Services
SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and the Student Handbook (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.page.
Financial Security Statement
Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness CenterLinks to an external site. in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.
Canvas Information
Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.
- For Passwords or any other computer-related technical support:
- 435-865-8200
- support@suu.edu
- IT Service DeskLinks to an external site.
- For Canvas help:
Hayden Coombs 