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Syllabus
Writing 2E: Academic Writing for Engineers
Winter 2008
The objective of Writing 2E is to help students become more capable and confident readers and
writers of both technical as well as non-technical documents. Assignments include a group
presentation on a specific topic in technology; an essay on the social impact of a technology; a
technical report that focuses on the development of a particular technology; shorter writing
assignments throughout the quarter to aid in writing the technical report; and an oral presentation.
In addition, this class is an opportunity to explore the relationships between reading, writing, and
critical thinking and to use collaboration and revision as ways to improve writing.
Prerequisites:
Writing 2E is open to students who have satisfied the University of California Entry Level
Writing Requirement or successfully passed Writing 1E.
Classroom Polices:
Attendance and Lateness: This class differs significantly from your other first-year courses. It
is largely based on in-class work and cooperative participation. Therefore, attendance is
mandatory. More than one unexcused absence can reduce your grade by 10%. In-class work for
missed days may not be made up. It is your responsibility to find out what was missed. More
than five unexcused absences may result in a failure of the course. In addition, please make sure
that you arrive to class on time. Arriving to class more than 15 minutes late will result in an
absence for that day.
Please notify me in advance if any circumstances will keep you from meeting your attendance or
other requirements.
Cell phones: Please turn off cell phones before entering the classroom as a courtesy to your
fellow students. Note: This policy includes the use of text messaging. Any student using cell
phones in class will be asked to leave the class and marked absent for the day.
Late papers: All papers will be collected on the due date at the beginning of class. Late papers
will not be accepted.
Revision Policy: Because revision is such an integral part of the writing process, and because no
piece of writing is ever “finished,” you will have the opportunity to revise the Technology
Research Essay. To take advantage of this opportunity, please arrange a conference with me to
discuss your revision strategy with in one week.
Resources: If you are a student with a documented disability and would like to discuss special
accommodations please contact me during office hours or by email. For more information and
support please call Disabled Students Program (DSP) 893-2668. Additional support can be
found at Counseling & Career Services at 893-4411. More importantly, academic support,
including writing tutors, is available for all UCSB students at Campus Learning Assistance
Service (CLAS) at 893-3269. I strongly recommend making appointments at CLAS to
review drafts of every essay you turn in during this course.
A final note: Please feel free to contact me at any time during the quarter if you have questions
about the course, the campus, etc. I am a resource for you, so please just ask me if you have a
question or come see me in my office hours.
Week 3 Discuss readings Read: Rosen, Our cell phones, ourselves, (Reader)
TU 1/22 Debrief Research Essay Write: Writing Log on Rosen and complete group quiz and
Small group work handout
TH 1/24 Debrief annotation and Read: Gordon, The engine of liberation, (Reader)
reliable sources Write: Writing Log on Gordon and bring in the titles of 5
sources (in APA format) for the Research Essay
Cell Phone Group
Week 4 Discuss readings Read: Rainie, Internet: The mainstreaming of…, (Reader)
TU 1/29 Auto Group Write: Writing Log and annotated bibliography
TH 1/31 Discuss readings Read: Rosen, The Age of Egocasting, (Reader) and How to
Work on Annotated conduct a peer review (Reader)
Bibliographies Write: Writing Log on Rosen and compose a draft of the
Internet Group introduction for the Research Essay—bring 3 copies to class
Week 8 Discuss readings Read: Ch. 9 in textbook and PowerPoint quick reference
TU 2/26 Oral Presentations (Reader)
Write: Compose a rough draft for the entire Technical
Report—bring 3 copies to class
TH 2/28 Begin drafting PowerPoint Write: Reading log and continue revising the Technical
Presentations Report based on the feedback from the peer review. Bring 2
new copies to class.
1.1 Include:
You may include comments on what is of particular interest to you, how the article has
(or has not) enhanced your understanding of the topic you’ve read, what the author
discusses and whether you agree or disagree, what you found troubling, confusing or
enlightening. The focus of your response is not as important as showing how you
engaged with the reading.
1.2 Format:
Each log will be typed, single spaced, with an appropriate heading and will include the
title of the article(s) read and the author(s) in a prominent location (note: please use APA
formatting). More than one log may be included on each page.
Jessie Munoz
February 2, 2008
WRIT 2E
Bright
Figure 1
Sample of student writing log
Group Presentation
1.0 Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to present information to the class through
collaboration with peers. The objective is to use course readings on a specific topic as a
foundation for leading class discussion. In addition, each group will be asked to prepare
materials—a quiz and a handout, minimum—to distribute to the class on the day of the
presentation. Groups will commits to one of six topics that will correspond with the
Technology Research Essay and the Technical Report.
1.1 Task 1
Prepare a presentation for the class that explains/discusses the group’s topic and required
reading(s). You may also include additional activities during the group’s instruction
time. For example, you may supplement your topic by providing more current research
found through outside resources (this is necessary for some topics—as in-class readings
are purposely outdated), create a PowerPoint Presentation or a set of overheads to bring
visual interest to the presentation and/or develop class activities to engage students in
discussion (quick sessions of group work and the use of “treats” to promote participation
are often successful tactics).
1.2 Task 2
Prepare a handout and quiz corresponding to the group’s topic and the required
reading(s). The handout must be pre-approved prior to the class as well as the quiz,
which can take a variety of forms (multiple choice, short answer, essay questions, etc.)
but must consist of at least ten questions.
1.3 Task 3
Following the presentation, the group must collect; grade quizzes (with the number
correct over the total, e.g. 8/10); and submit them to be recorded within one week of the
presentation.
2.0 Format
TBA during group/instructor conferences. Presentation should last approximately one
hour.
Assignments
1.0 Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is to report on the social impact of a particular technology
or technological object related to the previous group presentation. The objective is to
explain the most significant ways in which this technology has affect people. Some of
the areas to consider exploring include but are not limited to: politics, law, the economy,
health, the environment, and education (Examples: Autos = Health, Biotechnology =
Religion/Faith, Gaming = Teen Violence).
1.1 Task 1
Compile a bibliography; gather information on the topic. The sources should be recent
and reliable. Minimum of five sources.
1.2 Task 2
Read and annotate (take notes on) sources. Work carefully through the sources, selecting
the most significant material from them, including data and direct quotations. Be sure to
have a thorough understanding of each source, as they will be incorporated into the essay.
Do not copy an article’s abstract as a summary (plagiarism).
1.3 Task 3
Draft and revise the essay.
1.3.1 Requirements:
• Well-developed essay of five pages
• Strong use of sources, including paraphrasing and quotations
• Include a title page and “References” page
• Follow APA format or technical document “numeric format”
• See rubric for further assessment information
2.0 Format:
Please double-space the document, to leave room for instructor feedback. Refer to the
course reader for other requirements.
3.0 Audience:
An intelligent person with minimal technical background.
Technical Report
1.0 Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is to continue research the previously specified
technology by narrowing the focus to a detailed part. The report will include definition,
mechanism description, process description with effective illustrations, good document
design and clear, concise and precise writing.
1.1 Task 1
Using the information compiled from the course readings and Technology Research
Essay, identify a specific component of the technology and begin thinking about its
functions and inner workings (Examples: Cell Phones = Lithium Ion Battery, TV =
Remote Control, Internet = Search Engines).
1.2 Task 2
Begin drafting the report by using section headings and subheadings to organize the
information. Use the numerical system to identify these sections (1.0, 1.1, …). Consider
including a glossary of terms and/or appendices in the final report.
1.3 Task 3
Draft and revise the report.
1.3.1 Requirements:
• Well-developed essay minimum of five pages
• Strong use of organizations with headings
• Include a title page, table of contents, list of figures, and “References” page
• Follow APA format or technical document “numeric format”
• See rubric for further assessment information
2.0 Format:
Formal report as described in the textbook and class discussion.
Refer to the course reader for specific requirements.
3.0 Audience:
An intelligent person with minimal technical background.
Individual Presentation
1.0 Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is to present information to the class based on individual
research. The objective is to report on the findings from the Technical Report.
Requirements include appropriate dress, thorough research presented, elements of
successful oral presentation skills and use of PowerPoint.
1.1 Task 1
Outline the main points and/or findings from the Technical Report. Ask yourself:
• How can I build a knowledge base for my audience on this technology?
• What might the audience want/need to know?
• How can I sustain my audience’s attention?
• What would I want to know if I were an audience member?
1.2 Task 2
Prepare an oral presentation of approximately 5 minutes. You may focus on one aspect
of the TR in-depth or give a general overview of all findings. Include visuals/graphics as
appropriate and cite them as instructed.
1.3 Task 3
Prepare for the presentation by practicing in front of friends, roommates, etc. Time
yourself and focus on eye contact and volume, as these are often the presentation traits
that review the lowest scores.
2.0 Format:
Oral presentation following the guidelines established in class.
3.0 Audience:
Students in the class.