Hello!
We are starting our next unit: Proposal Writing. We will be writing grant narratives to fund projects concerning the "Spring Fling" which is conducted by the Tech CFR in order to address child literacy. Tech CFR is a non-for-profit organization with a 501 (c)(3) tax status. Here is the link to the presentation:
Tech CFR Speaker
We will be forming writing groups for this assignment. Look to the second PPT presentation I emailed today (slide 10) to see in what group you were randomly placed. You can use Moodle chat, Facebook groups, Google +, Skype, and email in order to communicate with each other.
As always, don't be shy with questions.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Situation Frame
Hello!
One of the more abstract components of the Correspondence Assignment is the Situation Frame (Sit Frame). This is a tool for you to use in order to analyze your culture. After you listen to the PPTs this document will make more sense. The first presentation covers the top part dealing with Implicit/Explicit cultures while the second presentation covers the middle and bottom sections.
Essentially, this worksheet operates as a way of investigating aspects of culture in order to develop a strategy for writing to your audience. You look at websites and videos from your culture and assess whether they display characteristics of Higher or Lower culture and how they implement these traits. For instance, you can compare how Coca-Cola communicates to people from other countries: Coca-Cola Global. Also, you can change countries on YouTube by clicking on the drop-down menu titled "Content: Worldwide" at the bottom of the first page and look at how companies sell to the people from different countries.
As you research your culture you can use the Sit Frame to make notes under different characteristics. It is a Word document and will expand as needed.
Once you observe several commercials and/or websites, you can look over your notes and compile an audience profile based on your research. Then you can tailor your writing accordingly. You will turn in your Sit Frame with a completed Audience Profile when you turn in your letters and memo.
You can download the Sit Frame on Moodle in the Unit 2 section.
One of the more abstract components of the Correspondence Assignment is the Situation Frame (Sit Frame). This is a tool for you to use in order to analyze your culture. After you listen to the PPTs this document will make more sense. The first presentation covers the top part dealing with Implicit/Explicit cultures while the second presentation covers the middle and bottom sections.
Essentially, this worksheet operates as a way of investigating aspects of culture in order to develop a strategy for writing to your audience. You look at websites and videos from your culture and assess whether they display characteristics of Higher or Lower culture and how they implement these traits. For instance, you can compare how Coca-Cola communicates to people from other countries: Coca-Cola Global. Also, you can change countries on YouTube by clicking on the drop-down menu titled "Content: Worldwide" at the bottom of the first page and look at how companies sell to the people from different countries.
As you research your culture you can use the Sit Frame to make notes under different characteristics. It is a Word document and will expand as needed.
Once you observe several commercials and/or websites, you can look over your notes and compile an audience profile based on your research. Then you can tailor your writing accordingly. You will turn in your Sit Frame with a completed Audience Profile when you turn in your letters and memo.
You can download the Sit Frame on Moodle in the Unit 2 section.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Unit 2: Correspondence
Hello!
You should have posted your first assignment to Moodle by now. If not, you need to as soon as possible. If you are having trouble with Moodle, you can email me your assignment and then contact the folks at Moodle to help you with whatever problem you have. moodle.english@ttu.edu
I have uploaded two PPT presentations onto Moodle, both dealing with your next major assignment. One of these presentations includes an audience analysis exercise that you need to complete by next week. As always, please email me with any questions.
-SB
You should have posted your first assignment to Moodle by now. If not, you need to as soon as possible. If you are having trouble with Moodle, you can email me your assignment and then contact the folks at Moodle to help you with whatever problem you have. moodle.english@ttu.edu
I have uploaded two PPT presentations onto Moodle, both dealing with your next major assignment. One of these presentations includes an audience analysis exercise that you need to complete by next week. As always, please email me with any questions.
-SB
Monday, September 9, 2013
Unit 1: Cover Letter and Résumé
Hello!
I hope you are all working on your first major assignment: Cover Letter and Résumé. This assignment is worth 10% of your final grade. By now you should have the job description and have started on your résumé.
I have two points to remind you: (1) your assignment is due this Thursday at 3:30 pm and (2) remember to include your job ad when you upload your assignment. You will need to create one document in Word that has all three components before you upload it onto Moodle. If for some reason you are having difficulty uploading your assignment into Moodle, make sure you email me with your assignment as an attachment before 3:30 pm Thursday to meet the deadline.
If you have any questions or problems please email me.
Assignment Description:
This assignment will give you an opportunity to practice writing a job-application letter (cover letter) and résumé. These documents are intended for a prospective employer and you will gain valuable experience in audience, purpose analysis, and document design. You will be evaluated not only on the content and appearance of the materials, but also how well you have targeted the materials to the job ad. You may go to indeed.com, monster.com, dice.com, careerbuilder.com, or other job seeking sites to locate a job description.
Components:
- Cover Letter
- Résumé
- Job Advertisement
If you would rather focus this assignment on an internship, graduate school or some other competitive position, please come to me and discuss the particulars. If at all possible, I prefer this assignment to be actually submitted.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
New Schedule
Hello!
Due to all the technology issues, we need to revise out schedule. We will meet as a class using some technology TBD on November 17 and November 21 from 3:30 pm - 5:50 pm. I will also be available on Skype during class on certain days to help with feedback for major assignments. You should follow the readings in this schedule in order to keep up with the class.
As you can see, you will be responsible for certain topics during certain weeks. I will post PPT slides on Moodle along with notes over these topics by 3:30 pm that day. So, for instance, I will post the "Cover Letter Conventions" PPT slide and notes by 3:30 pm tomorrow. I will also try to catch up with the others from 8/29 this week.
Of course I am always available via email so please contact me with any questions.
Due to all the technology issues, we need to revise out schedule. We will meet as a class using some technology TBD on November 17 and November 21 from 3:30 pm - 5:50 pm. I will also be available on Skype during class on certain days to help with feedback for major assignments. You should follow the readings in this schedule in order to keep up with the class.
As you can see, you will be responsible for certain topics during certain weeks. I will post PPT slides on Moodle along with notes over these topics by 3:30 pm that day. So, for instance, I will post the "Cover Letter Conventions" PPT slide and notes by 3:30 pm tomorrow. I will also try to catch up with the others from 8/29 this week.
Of course I am always available via email so please contact me with any questions.
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August
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Topic
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Reading and Assignments
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R: 8/29
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Introducing tech comm: Audiences,
purposes, contexts, content, ethics, & design
From 1302 to 2311: The writing
process
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Introduce yourself Where are you
from? What's your major? What do you plan to gain from this class?
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Communicating with employers:
Audience, purpose context in job searches
Résumé conventions
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Have read Johnson, ch. 1
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September
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R: 9/5
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Cover Letter Conventions
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Have read Johnson, ch. 11
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Skype résumé and cover letter Workshop
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I will be available on Skype during 3:30 pm to 5:50 pm. I can help with any résumé and cover letter
rough drafts you have.
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R: 9/12
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Corresponding professionally:
Letters, memoranda, & emails
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Have read Johnson, ch. 5
Résumé and cover letter due
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Communicating within cultures:
Analyzing readers and contexts
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Have read Johnson, ch. 2
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R: 9/19
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Analyzing Audience: High and Low
Context as Heuristics
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Approaches to intercultural
communication: Plain language and culture research
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R: 9/26
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Skype correspondence workshop
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I will be available on Skype during 3:30 pm to 5:50 pm. I can help with any correspondence rough drafts you have.
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October
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R: 10/3
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Ethics in Technical Writing
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Two correspondence items due
Have read Johnson, ch. 4
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Technical Instructions: Defining,
describing, and instructing
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Have read Johnson, chs. 6-7
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R: 10/10
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Analyzing Audience: Technical
Expertise as Heuristics
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Skype technical instructions workshop
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R: 10/17
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NFP Speaker
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Technical Instructions due
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R: 10/24
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Proposing to decision-makers
The RFP
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Form proposal groups
Have read Johnson, ch. 8
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Do's and Dont's of Proposal
Writing
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R: 10/31
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RFP and finding funding sources
The research process
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Have read Johnson, ch. 9
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Analyzing the Context:
Identifying Situations and Benefits
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Have read Johnson, ch. 10
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November
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R: 11/7
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Green Team Review
CLASS WILL MEET
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Bring S1 and S2 to class
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R: 11/14
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Presenting proposed actions
Turning a report into a presentation: Outlines, visuals, aids, and public
speaking
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Formal written proposal due
Have read Johnson, ch. 21
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R: 11/21
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CLASS WILL MEET
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Oral Presentations Due
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R: 11/28
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No Class - Thanksgiving
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December
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R: 12/5
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Reflective Essays Due
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Monday, September 2, 2013
Hello ENGL 2311.D22 Students!
Hello!
As you all are well aware, we have some technology issues to resolve. The chat room in Moodle works for me but students cannot see the sessions. So, we will use the chat sometimes for when we "meet" but we will also be using this blog for other purposes. Here I can post information and you can respond to minor assignments. I may post tips for assignments or respond to questions that can benefit the entire class.
One rule that we all must follow: do not post personal contact information in responses. Please do not post real names (at least not last names) or phone numbers here. You will be working in groups, from time to time, but remember that anything you post here can be seen by the public. It is unlikely that people outside of this class would follow this blog but search engines do send programs to collect email addresses and phone numbers. It is also possible that your responses could be searchable on Google since they do own this blogging software.
You will have to create a gmail account (if you do not already have one). It is free and simple to do so. Please do so as quickly as possible. Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.
Safari Bob
As you all are well aware, we have some technology issues to resolve. The chat room in Moodle works for me but students cannot see the sessions. So, we will use the chat sometimes for when we "meet" but we will also be using this blog for other purposes. Here I can post information and you can respond to minor assignments. I may post tips for assignments or respond to questions that can benefit the entire class.
One rule that we all must follow: do not post personal contact information in responses. Please do not post real names (at least not last names) or phone numbers here. You will be working in groups, from time to time, but remember that anything you post here can be seen by the public. It is unlikely that people outside of this class would follow this blog but search engines do send programs to collect email addresses and phone numbers. It is also possible that your responses could be searchable on Google since they do own this blogging software.
You will have to create a gmail account (if you do not already have one). It is free and simple to do so. Please do so as quickly as possible. Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.
Safari Bob
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