EGL-1340 Composition II: Writing About Technical Topics

Credits: 3
This second-semester composition course is a continuation and extension of the rhetorical principles and composition skills addressed in EGL-1010. This course is intended for students in scientific or technical fields. Students learn to write technical communications in a clear and concise style, focusing on audience, context, purpose, and writer’s role. They write various types of technical documents, such as letters, memoranda, and résumés, as well as various types of reports such as progress reports, recommendation reports, and proposals. Students develop effective definitions, descriptions, instructions, analyses, comparisons, and recommendations as applicable for the various types of communications. Students also incorporate primary and secondary research into technical documents effectively and ethically, as well as utilize grammar, usage, mechanics, formats, and graphics appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context. Lastly, students apply ethical, cultural, and legal considerations to technical communications.

Prerequisite(s): EGL-1010 with a grade of C or higher

Course Outcomes

Write technical communications in a clear and concise style appropriate to audience, context, and writer’s role.
Apply knowledge of technical communication strategies, such as definitions, instructions, analyses, comparisons, and recommendations.
Present technical information, explanations, and recommendations clearly and effectively, using grammar, usage, mechanics, format, and graphics appropriate to audience, purpose, and context.
Prepare various types of technical and professional documents, including reports, correspondence, and résumé and application letter.
Use primary and secondary sources appropriately by evaluating and integrating them into documents.
Apply legal, ethical, and cultural considerations to issues in technical communication.