This advanced course is designed to relate to the specific needs of upper-level students in technical fields with an emphasis on work-related forms. Technical writing is a mode of information management designed either to prompt action (persuasive documents such as proposals) or to enable action (instructions and informative reports). EN306 introduces students to different forms of technical writing (and not necessarily business writing) and to critical thinking and communication skills. Students will write memos and business letters as well as lengthy, detailed, and researched documents, proposals, and reports. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to analyze the purpose for and audience for documents produced in technical fields and will be able to manage information in order to produce, clear, effective technical documents

There is no textbook for this course. Links to course readings, lectures, handouts, and other material can be found in the “Resources and Materials” section of the course MyCMU page, and in the course syllabus.

Upon successful completion of EN306, students should be able to:

• Analyze and understand professional rhetorical situations and documents produced for and in these situations;
• Write for the intended readers of a professional document, and design or adapt texts to audiences who may differ in their familiarity with the subject matter;
• Incorporate visuals and understand the use of visual rhetoric in professional writing situations;
• identify and practice the stages required to produce competent, professional writing through planning, drafting, revising, and editing;
• Design and revise documentation for clarity, concision, style, and tone from peer review feedback