Difference between revisions of "Assignment 1"

Revision as of 20:22, 7 April 2008

Introduction

It is the night before your first Technical Communications assignment is due for peer editing. You must write three documents for three different audiences, with three different purposes. First you must write an article for The Manitoban to introduce the general student body to the COMP1010 wiki, and inform them of applications of new technology on campus. Second, you must introduce new COMP1010 students to the wiki and explain its helpful features. Finally, you will describe the COMP1010 wiki in a letter to Computer Science alumni, raising awareness of the department and soliciting financial support.

4 Steps lie between you and sleep:

1. Brainstorm ideas and complete a planning form for each document.
2. Compose an outlines for each document.
3. Write a first draft for each document.
4. Revise each draft until you think they are perfect.

After peer editing you will integrate any suggestions and ideas you have gained into a polished final copy.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Many students have tackled this assignment before you. Don't make the same mistakes they did.

Purpose

- Clearly state the purpose at the beginning of the article.

Audience

- Avoid terms or ideas that some people in your audience may not be familiar with.
- Avoid the frequent use of contractions, they can be confusing to ESL students.

Style

- Join the revolution and use 'their' as a singular, gender neutral possessive!
- Don't be too wordy. Simple is better.
- Stick to the ABC format at all levels.

Applied Topics

1. Purpose
   
2. Audience
   
3. Ideas and Outlining
   
4. Organizing and Writing the First Draft
   
5. Editing and Revising