This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of professional and technical writing, as well as practice in applying the concepts to a variety of professional and technical genres, including grant proposals.

Assignments include a variety of written documents, both individual and collaborative, for a variety of workplace situations, purposes, and audiences; a grant proposal; and professional oral presentations.

Learning objectives for the course include:

• Conduct effective purpose and audience analyses of professional and technical communication situations.
• Apply principles of visual rhetoric to page and document design and the effective use of graphics to convey technical information.
• Apply knowledge and skills learned in class to solve case-based technical communication problems.
• Use effective small-group communication skills and appropriate communication technologies to work effectively in virtual team situations.
• Use appropriate grammar, mechanics, and concise style in written documents and communications.
• Apply principles of visual and oral communication to create effective professional presentations.