Dr. Dean Taciuch

George Mason University

Fall 2015

English 388: 001
Course Schedule

Week 1 (Aug 31 & Sept 2): Course Introduction
Elements ch 8: Elements of Reports

Week 2 (Sept 7 & 9): Pearsall Ch 9: Formats of Reports
Writing in the Workplace written report (Chapter 8 Assignment 1)
due Sept 7
Form groups for Ch. 8 Assignment 2 (oral reports)

Week 3 (Sept 14 & 16): Pearsall Ch 9 Assignment 1
(Proposal for Instructions) exercise
Oral Reports (Ch 8 Assignment 2) in class Sept 14

Week 4 (Sept 21 & 23): Pearsall Ch 10: Formats of Correspondence
Butterick "Why Typography Matters"
Draft of Instructions for in class exercise (Usability Test), Sept 23

Week 5 (Sept 28 & 30): Pearsall Ch 1 & 2: Purpose & Audience
Ch 1 Activity 1 (Tech samples) exercise in class Sept 30
Review Ch 1 Assignment 1 (Plan for Final Report)
Instruction set due Sept 28

Week 6 (Oct 5 & 7): Kaplan-Moss: Writing Great Documentation
Butterick "Type Composition"
Review Ch 2 Assignment 2 (Plan for Final Report)
Audience Analysis exercise in class Oct 7
Student Project Proposals due Oct 5

Week 7 (Oct 13 & 14): Pearsall Ch 3: Research and Organization
Ch 3 Activity 2 (outline samples) exercise in class
Project Pitches in class Oct 13
Begin outlining the group projects
(Columbus Day Recess: Monday Classes meet Tuesday)

Week 8: (Oct 19 & 21): Pearsall Ch 4: Clarity and Precision
Butterick "Text Formatting"
Email exercise in class Oct 21
Group Proposal due Oct 19

Week 9 (Oct 26 & 28): Pearsall Ch 5: Page Design
Butterick "Page Layout" and "Sample Document: Résumé"
Begin drafting report sections
Résumé assignment due Oct 28

Week 10 (Nov 2 & 4): Pearsall Ch 6: Visuals
Butterick "Sample Documents"
Individual Progress reports due Nov 2