UNLV English 407B: Technical Writing

Course Description

English 407B aims to help students develop the skills they will need to write successfully in a technical workplace. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of technical communication including the research methods, compositional techniques, common forms, and graphic design skills they need to document technical processes. It is designed to help strengthen written, oral, and visual communication skills and instruct students in the six elements that make up the “circulation” of documents in any workplace: planning, drafting, reading, responding, revising, and delivery.  

Students will gain an understanding of the following business and technical documents:

  • Email
  • Business Letter
  • Memo
  • Policy Memo
  • Standard Operating Procedures
  • Instruction Manual
  • Data Sheet
  • Business Proposal
  • Progress Report
  • Recommendation Report
  • Oral Presentation
  • Informational Brochure
  • Technical Article
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

Course Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:  

  • Write to multiple audiences, for various purposes (e.g. inform, persuade, guide)  
  • Plan and manage short- and long-term writing projects  
  • Draft, design, revise, and edit documents for both content and visual appeal
  • Design and implement appropriate research strategies  
  • Write collaboratively (e.g., co-authoring, peer revising, peer editing)  
  • Follow and adjust to technical writing conventions, including style and tone  
  • Use writing to help prepare and deliver oral presentations  
  • Write ethically and responsibly within an organization and as a member of society

Sample Syllabus: 
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