Version 2.0 -- Revised 01-Jun-96

Course Materials

The tools used in developing writing skills have kept up with the burgeoning technologies of our times: our textbooks use innovative devices and organization to facilitate speedy access to needed information, campus computer resources make use of the Internet to give access to course-related materials and people from anywhere in the world, and multiple-choice exams use electronic scoring and reporting to keep you posted on where you are in the course and what needs to be done. Despite these modern trappings, there's no substitute for the traditional language arts skills needed for success in this course.

Textbooks

Your instructor has selected three books for this course. The first two are required, while the last is recommended. It is expected that you will make use of a dictionary and thesaurus as needed; it would be a good idea to bring a pocket version of one or both to class.

Lannon, John M. (1994). Technical Writing, (6th ed.). New York: HarperCollins College Publishers.
The required text for this course contains a considerable amount of useful information and is the sole basis for the four quizzes. A major asset for students is the inclusion of general models and revision checklists for the specific document types to be prepared for evaluation.

Raimes, Ann. (1996). Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
This writer's handbook is required for this course; it serves as the basis for evaluating and improving your writing skills. An English fundamentals diagnostic test based on this book will be administered at the outset of the course. For English as a Second Language (ESL) students, the publisher has provided Language Transfer: Ten Languages, a set of supplementary guide sheets for over ten foreign languages. Included are specific page references in the handbook for key differences important to non-native speakers of English.

Flanagan, Barbara G. (1996). Exercise Booklet for Keys for Writers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
This optional supplement contains exercises which can be used in boosting the writing skills component of your final grade. Your purchase of this book will most likely depend on how well you score on the English fundamentals diagnostic test at the outset of the course.

Computer Resources

By meeting in a networked computer laboratory, you have access to some of the latest technology for technical writing. Not only can you make use of word processing, but you may also participate in Internet access to the World-Wide Web and electronic mail. Your instructor has developed preference files to facilitate this access for both new and experienced computer users.

The more recent versions of the Macintosh operating system, such as MacOS 7.5, are very adaptable to other operating system disk formats (DOS, Windows, and Apple II ProDOS). You may also use disks from certain late models of electronic typewriters that are compatible with the IBM 720k (Double Density) format, such as Brother and Smith Corona.

The Macintosh computers in our labs are presently limited to Microsoft Word for Macintosh 5.1. You may use any Windows or Macintosh word processor for your work as long as you save your files in what is known as the interchange file Rich Text Format (RTF).

The campus laboratory computers are equipped with Netscape Navigator 2.0 Web browser, which permits beginners to receive electronic mail (e-mail) without having to learn earlier cumbersome methods.

Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser is not installed on campus computers. Your instructor has attempted to enhance these Web pages to take advantage of Explorer's attractive color backgrounds, which cannot be displayed as yet by the Netscape Navigator Web browser.

	The more recent versions of the Macintosh operating system, such as MacOS 7.5, are very adaptable to other operating system disk formats (DOS, Windows, and Apple II ProDOS). You may also use disks from certain late models of electronic typewriters that are compatible with the IBM 720k (Double Density) format, such as Brother and Smith Corona.
	The Macintosh computers in our labs are presently limited to Microsoft Word for Macintosh 5.1. You may use any Windows or Macintosh word processor for your work as long as you save your files in what is known as the interchange file Rich Text Format (RTF).
	The campus laboratory computers are equipped with Netscape Navigator 2.0 Web browser, which permits beginners to receive electronic mail (e-mail) without having to learn earlier cumbersome methods.
	Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser is not installed on campus computers. Your instructor has attempted to enhance these Web pages to take advantage of Explorer's attractive color backgrounds, which cannot be displayed as yet by the Netscape Navigator Web browser.

Multiple-Choice Exams

In order to assure comprehensive sampling of your abilities, diagnostic exams and quizzes in this course make use of computer analysis to provide individualized feedback for missed item response. Your thoughtful use of this information will enhance your learning.

For electronic scoring, you will need to provide four test forms in order to take the four quizzes; a fifth one will be needed should you elect to re-take the diagnostic exam at the end of the semester. These are to be marked with standard No. 2 lead pencils; either variety, wood or mechanical, will do.

We use the ParSCORE Test Form, Scantron Form No. 20788-ERI.
Note the distinctive turquoise color.

	Lannon, John M. (1994). Technical Writing, (6th ed.). New York: HarperCollins College Publishers. The required text for this course contains a considerable amount of useful information and is the sole basis for the four quizzes. A major asset for students is the inclusion of general models and revision checklists for the specific document types to be prepared for evaluation.
	Raimes, Ann. (1996). Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. This writer's handbook is required for this course; it serves as the basis for evaluating and improving your writing skills. An English fundamentals diagnostic test based on this book will be administered at the outset of the course. For English as a Second Language (ESL) students, the publisher has provided Language Transfer: Ten Languages, a set of supplementary guide sheets for over ten foreign languages. Included are specific page references in the handbook for key differences important to non-native speakers of English.
	Flanagan, Barbara G. (1996). Exercise Booklet for Keys for Writers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. This optional supplement contains exercises which can be used in boosting the writing skills component of your final grade. Your purchase of this book will most likely depend on how well you score on the English fundamentals diagnostic test at the outset of the course.