Application Assignment #1: Abridged Syllabus -- DUE 9/1

Introduction

This assignment will help you learn to apply a key concept of technical writing: when you’re on the job, no one wants to read anything you write. If a colleague wants to read what you’ve written, most of the time they will not read all of what you write. In my job as an instructor, I write course syllabi that few students will read, at least not from start to finish. That’s OK. A syllabus is meant to be referenced as needed by students, and I know that you may never need to read most parts of the syllabus. But other sections do contain information that you should know to be successful in the class. Your task is to read through the syllabus for this class, decide which information is most important to your readers, and condense this information into a one-page, easy-to-read document. 

Assignment Summary

Condense the Course Syllabus into a one-page document that includes a visual element. Submit your work to Moodle along with a one-page memo that explains how and why you edited the syllabus.

Instructions

Re-read our Course Syllabus and decide what information is critical. Create a new one page syllabus that contains that critical information and determine how to present it effectively. Use the original syllabus language as much as possible, but cut out paragraphs and parts of sentences as needed. Cut ruthlessly! Cramming too much information on the page won’t be effective. 

We will study design later in the semester. For now, do you best using basic design tools like headings, bullet point, and boldface. Don’t shrink type below 11 points. Do include one visual element like a logo, chart or graph. The “Insert” tab on Google docs has a format that you can use for charts and graphs. (An example of an appropriate visual element would be a pie chart for grade weights.) 

After you’ve created your one-page Eng. 220 Technical Writing syllabus, re-read Lumen Learning Module 7: Memos. Pay close attention to the example memos in this section. This is what I want your memo to look like! Your memo should be single spaced and roughly 250 words. In your memo analyze and explain the decisions that you made in constructing this document. Why did you decide to include the elements that you did? How did the qualities of good technical writing help you create this document? What did you leave out that you would have liked to include? 

Your memo header should addressed to me. The subject line should be “Application Assignment #1: Abridged Syllabus”. Submit the abridged syllabus and the memo as separate documents. 

Grading Criteria

Here’s how I will evaluate your assignment. Your abridged syllabus should:

• Fit on one page
• Be neat and inviting
• Be readable -- type is at least 11 pt. 
• Be organized using headings, boldface, and bullet points
• Present information in a logical sequence
• Be accurate
• Be concise
• Contain at least one visual element
• Be relevant and usable to classmates.
• Be correct with no spelling errors or typos

Your memo should:

• Be roughly 250 words
• Be single spaced
• Explain your decisions in constructing the one-page syllabus -- what you included, what you left out, why you made these choices
• Include specific examples
• Include a word count at the bottom