Assignment 1

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.

Remember not to rely on spell checkers. After peer editing you will integrate any suggestions and ideas you have gained into a polished final copy.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an excellent way of collecting ideas for a document you are preparing to write. Answering the questions below will ensure you have a clear purpose and audience for your document.

Purpose: Why are you writing this document?
Response: What response do you want from your readers?
Education: What is the reader's technical or educational background?
Main Point: What main point does this reader need answered?
Personality and Demographics: What features of this reader's personality or demographic might affect their reading?
Format and Medium: What format, organization, style, and medium will you use when writing to this audience?

Editing Checklist

<Insert Editing Checklist Here>

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 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