You may be wondering why the title of the course is "Technical Writing," yet I frequently substitute the term "professional writing." For one thing, technical writers often use the terms interchangeably.
Another reason is that we will be focusing on writing for many professions, and we won't delve into highly technical content unless your job will require it. Your own assignments will differ from those of your classmates, because you will focus on your chosen field. You will write the same genres (report, letter, etc.), but the content will be unique.
For the first unit, we will examine your own writing community. First we will examine your current writing and who you share it with, and then we will look at your chosen profession and the writing community you plan to enter. That may sound a little odd, but be patient with me. (I promise it will make sense as we move along. If not, let me know and I will clarify.)
A writing community is the people you communicate with. Some of the communication will be verbal rather than written, but for the sake of this lesson we will only examine your written communication.
Author Jamie Quatro wrote a tongue-in-cheek revision of the Ten Commandments, making fun of the way people write today:
1. no1 b4 me. srsly.
2. dnt wrshp pix/idols
3. no omg’s
4. no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r)
5. pos ok – ur m&d r cool
6. dnt kill ppl
7. :-X only w/ m8
8. dnt steal
9. dnt lie re: bf
10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob.
M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.
ttyl, JHWH.
ps. wwjd?
Look familiar? Don't worry about it! You should see the posts in my Facebook feed--not the ones I carefully write (because, after all, my mother reads them), but the ones my friends and family post.
The first assignment is small and easy. It asks you to answer a few questions about the writing you do CURRENTLY. Not the writing you plan to do, or even what you wish you did every day, but what you actually do. Be honest! I am only grading on effort and word count, so you can say anything you want and nobody but you and me will see it.
Ready? Then click the Next link below to get started.
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