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TECHNIQUES OF POPULARIZATION

WRIT 317

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 :00-12:20

CR-305

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

TEXTS: Fryxell, David. Structure & Flow [S&F].

Gannon, Robert (ed.). Best Science Writing [BSF].

NOTE: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS COURSE, "TECHNICAL" REFERS TO A TOPIC FOR WHICH UNDERSTANDING REQUIRES SPECIAL TRAINING...

BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO--

Describe and apply basic principles of adapting technical information for consumption by nontechnical audiences.

Describe and apply basic principles of conducting research and gathering information.

Write in a variety of styles appropriate to different audiences.

Write for both print and aural/visual media.

Describe and demonstrate the steps involved n getting an article published.

ATTENDANCE

1. More than three absences is likely to cause your grade to suffer.

2. You may not make up missed assignments.

3. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes.

GRADES

1. Each paper will be graded according to the following criteria (in this order):

a) fulfillment of the assignment;

b) clarity and effectiveness;

c) creativity and originality.

2. Because there are so many writing assignments in this class (for each one you have to write, I have to read a whole class's worth); because many of them are cumulative, each leading toward the next assignment; because I'll need to grade and return papers so fast; and because media-related businesses are built on tight deadlines, I will not accept late papers. If you can't get to class, send your paper with someone.

3. Grades will be assigned as follows:

F --UNACCEPTABLE.

D --ACCEPTABLE: below average

C --AVERAGE: turned in on time; fulfilled assignment; adequate use of creative and technical elements; not particularly creative or inspired.

B --ABOVE AVERAGE: either one element was outstanding or the paper in general was better than average.

A --EXCELLENT: entire assignment exceptional!

0 --assignment not turned in; counts as TWO "F"s.

4. Assignments will be weighted as follows:

Short Assignments 50%

Final Project 50%

Participation borderline determiner

The relative weight of each assignment is listed in the syllabus.

PRESENTATION OF ASSIGNMENTS

Because this is a professional communication course,

1. All out-of-class papers must be typed.

2. Any paper that does not reflect mechanical writing competence will be downgraded accordingly

3. You may revise three assignments during the course (plus the final project). The revision is due at the next class meeting after the original paper has been returned to you. [NOTE: I will not grade a revision unless the original paper—with grade and comments—accompanies it.] Your final grade on that assignment will be the average of the original and revised grades.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

My classroom manner tends to be casual and easygoing, loose, and seemingly disorganized. Don't let those cues mislead you! I am serious about this course and about the caliber of your work. Anything short of excellent will be graded accordingly.

Techniques of Popularization

Assignments and Due Dates

1. THURSDAY, Aug. 30

Course Overview and In-Class Writing

2. TUESDAY, Sept. 4 S&F: pp. 2-9

SSW: pp. 1-17

3. THURSDAY. Sept. 6

BSW: pp.96-105

Write directions to your house from a location to be assigned.

4. TUESDAY, Sept. 11

S&F: pp.10-39

FINAL PROJECT: Identify the technical subject on which you're going to concentrate in this course.

5. THURSDAY,Sept.13

Read a popular article on a topic related to your technical subject—one which you know significantly more about than does the general public. Write a one-to-two page analysis of the article's communicative accuracy. What (if any) material needs to be added? Deleted? Simplified? What techniques does the author use (successfully or unsuccessfully) to simplify and/or clarify the material? [NOTE: Please turn in a copy of the article with your paper.]

TUESDAY, Sept. 18 -NO CLASS/Rosh Hashanah .

6. THURSDAY, Sept. 20

S&F: pp. 40-71

Write a J.Peterman-style catalogue description for an article of clothing or some other item that you own.

7. TUESDAY. Sept. 25

SSW: pp.158-186

FINAL PROJECT: Analyze the potential market audiences. Find a pool of at least 20 appropriate publications that are targeted toward a variety of audiences.

THURSDAY, Sept. 27 -NO CLASS/Yom Kippur

8. TUESDAY, Oct. 2

BSW: pp. 36-49

S&F: pp. 73-89

Write instructions for a process related to your technical topic.

9. THURSDAY, Oct. 4

Compare and contrast two articles on the same subject, a subject that relates to your technical specialty. One article should be from a pop/general readership publication and the other from a technical journal or report. [NOTE: Your paper should be two to three pages long. Please turn in a copy of the articles with your paper.]

10. TUESDAY, Oct. 9

S&F: pp.90-110, 111-136, 176-182

FINAL PROJECT: Choose three publications from your Feb. 17 list, each aimed at a

different audience. Analyze those publications' writing/editorial styles.

11. THURSDAY, Oct. 11

BSW: pp. 18-35, 138-157

Write a press release on a subject related to your topic which requires explanation and or simplification.

12. TUESDAY, Oct. 16

S&F: pp.138-169

In-Class Writing: Research Article summary.

FINAL PROJECT: Write query letters.

NOTE: We will critique these letters in class. Revisions—along with stamped, addressed envelopes or SASE's—will be due

THURSDAY, March 29.

13. THURSDAY, Oct. 18

BSW: pp. 72-96

14. TUESDAY, Oct. 23

BSW: pp. 64-71,106-137

15. THURSDAY, Oct. 25

Write one 60-second informational television script and one 60-second radio script on a topic that relates to your specialty area. They should be part of a real or hypothetical series that would run regularly on radio and television stations.

16. TUESDAY, Oct. 30

SSW: pp. 50-63

Adapt—for popular consumption—a chapter—or part of a chapter (at least ten pages long) from a technically-oriented college textbook. The adaptation should be 750-1,000 words (three to four pages), appropriate for inclusion in a publication called "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ..." Attach to your paper a copy of the original material.

17. THURSDAY, Nov. 1

18. TUESDAY, Nov. 6

FINAL: Article #1/Profile

19. THURSDAY, Nov. 8 20

20. TUESDAY, Nov. 13

21. THURSDAY, Nov. 15

FINAL: Article #2

22. TUESDAY, Nov. 20

THURSDAY, Nov. 22 -NO CLASS/Thanksgiving

23. TUESDAY, Nov. 27

FINAL: Article #3

24. THURSDAY, Nov. 29

25. TUESDAY, Dec. 4

26. THURSDAY, Dec. 6

27. TUESDAY, Dec. 11

FINAL PROJECT PACKAGE DUE




			TECHNIQUES OF POPULARIZATION WRIT 317 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 :00-12:20 CR-305 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. TEXTS: Fryxell, David. Structure & Flow [S&F]. Gannon, Robert (ed.). Best Science Writing [BSF]. NOTE: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS COURSE, "TECHNICAL" REFERS TO A TOPIC FOR WHICH UNDERSTANDING REQUIRES SPECIAL TRAINING... BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO-- Describe and apply basic principles of adapting technical information for consumption by nontechnical audiences. Describe and apply basic principles of conducting research and gathering information. Write in a variety of styles appropriate to different audiences. Write for both print and aural/visual media. Describe and demonstrate the steps involved n getting an article published. ATTENDANCE 1. More than three absences is likely to cause your grade to suffer. 2. You may not make up missed assignments. 3. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes. GRADES 1. Each paper will be graded according to the following criteria (in this order): a) fulfillment of the assignment; b) clarity and effectiveness; c) creativity and originality. 2. Because there are so many writing assignments in this class (for each one you have to write, I have to read a whole class's worth); because many of them are cumulative, each leading toward the next assignment; because I'll need to grade and return papers so fast; and because media-related businesses are built on tight deadlines, I will not accept late papers. If you can't get to class, send your paper with someone. 3. Grades will be assigned as follows: F --UNACCEPTABLE. D --ACCEPTABLE: below average C --AVERAGE: turned in on time; fulfilled assignment; adequate use of creative and technical elements; not particularly creative or inspired. B --ABOVE AVERAGE: either one element was outstanding or the paper in general was better than average. A --EXCELLENT: entire assignment exceptional! 0 --assignment not turned in; counts as TWO "F"s. 4. Assignments will be weighted as follows: Short Assignments 50% Final Project 50% Participation borderline determiner The relative weight of each assignment is listed in the syllabus. PRESENTATION OF ASSIGNMENTS Because this is a professional communication course, 1. All out-of-class papers must be typed. 2. Any paper that does not reflect mechanical writing competence will be downgraded accordingly 3. You may revise three assignments during the course (plus the final project). The revision is due at the next class meeting after the original paper has been returned to you. [NOTE: I will not grade a revision unless the original paper—with grade and comments—accompanies it.] Your final grade on that assignment will be the average of the original and revised grades. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION My classroom manner tends to be casual and easygoing, loose, and seemingly disorganized. Don't let those cues mislead you! I am serious about this course and about the caliber of your work. Anything short of excellent will be graded accordingly. Techniques of Popularization Assignments and Due Dates 1. THURSDAY, Aug. 30 Course Overview and In-Class Writing 2. TUESDAY, Sept. 4 S&F: pp. 2-9 SSW: pp. 1-17 3. THURSDAY. Sept. 6 BSW: pp.96-105 Write directions to your house from a location to be assigned. 4. TUESDAY, Sept. 11 S&F: pp.10-39 FINAL PROJECT: Identify the technical subject on which you're going to concentrate in this course. 5. THURSDAY,Sept.13 Read a popular article on a topic related to your technical subject—one which you know significantly more about than does the general public. Write a one-to-two page analysis of the article's communicative accuracy. What (if any) material needs to be added? Deleted? Simplified? What techniques does the author use (successfully or unsuccessfully) to simplify and/or clarify the material? [NOTE: Please turn in a copy of the article with your paper.] TUESDAY, Sept. 18 -NO CLASS/Rosh Hashanah . 6. THURSDAY, Sept. 20 S&F: pp. 40-71 Write a J.Peterman-style catalogue description for an article of clothing or some other item that you own. 7. TUESDAY. Sept. 25 SSW: pp.158-186 FINAL PROJECT: Analyze the potential market audiences. Find a pool of at least 20 appropriate publications that are targeted toward a variety of audiences. THURSDAY, Sept. 27 -NO CLASS/Yom Kippur 8. TUESDAY, Oct. 2 BSW: pp. 36-49 S&F: pp. 73-89 Write instructions for a process related to your technical topic. 9. THURSDAY, Oct. 4 Compare and contrast two articles on the same subject, a subject that relates to your technical specialty. One article should be from a pop/general readership publication and the other from a technical journal or report. [NOTE: Your paper should be two to three pages long. Please turn in a copy of the articles with your paper.] 10. TUESDAY, Oct. 9 S&F: pp.90-110, 111-136, 176-182 FINAL PROJECT: Choose three publications from your Feb. 17 list, each aimed at a different audience. Analyze those publications' writing/editorial styles. 11. THURSDAY, Oct. 11 BSW: pp. 18-35, 138-157 Write a press release on a subject related to your topic which requires explanation and or simplification. 12. TUESDAY, Oct. 16 S&F: pp.138-169 In-Class Writing: Research Article summary. FINAL PROJECT: Write query letters. NOTE: We will critique these letters in class. Revisions—along with stamped, addressed envelopes or SASE's—will be due THURSDAY, March 29. 13. THURSDAY, Oct. 18 BSW: pp. 72-96 14. TUESDAY, Oct. 23 BSW: pp. 64-71,106-137 15. THURSDAY, Oct. 25 Write one 60-second informational television script and one 60-second radio script on a topic that relates to your specialty area. They should be part of a real or hypothetical series that would run regularly on radio and television stations. 16. TUESDAY, Oct. 30 SSW: pp. 50-63 Adapt—for popular consumption—a chapter—or part of a chapter (at least ten pages long) from a technically-oriented college textbook. The adaptation should be 750-1,000 words (three to four pages), appropriate for inclusion in a publication called "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ..." Attach to your paper a copy of the original material. 17. THURSDAY, Nov. 1 18. TUESDAY, Nov. 6 FINAL: Article #1/Profile 19. THURSDAY, Nov. 8 20 20. TUESDAY, Nov. 13 21. THURSDAY, Nov. 15 FINAL: Article #2 22. TUESDAY, Nov. 20 THURSDAY, Nov. 22 -NO CLASS/Thanksgiving 23. TUESDAY, Nov. 27 FINAL: Article #3 24. THURSDAY, Nov. 29 25. TUESDAY, Dec. 4 26. THURSDAY, Dec. 6 27. TUESDAY, Dec. 11 FINAL PROJECT PACKAGE DUE home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore