Technical Writing Assignments
Fall 2009

Current Assignments
(including bonuses)
 Section 001 meets from 9-10 M in Room 6316 and W&F in Room 6580
Section 003  meets from 12-1  M in Room 6316 and W & F in Room 6580
You may attend either class.
For questions:  email Professor Humble at toorobert@aol.com.
For Wednesday, Nov  18:  Write a letter of application to a place of your choice.  Use a real place (you are, however, allowed to make up the name of the HR (Personnel) director).  Be sure to include "attachment" or "enclosure" at the end.  Your resume will be turned in next Monday.  Worth up to 2 points.
For Friday, Nov  20:  Develop an analytical report (as discussed in class about acquiring 4 kinds of Rhode Island license plates).  Worth up to 14 points.
For Monday, November 23:  create (or re-create) your resume.  Do not use a Microsoft Wizard.  Worth up to 3 points.
For Wednesday, November 25:  revise your application letter if you scored fewer than 2 points.
For Monday, November 30: BONUS: write a one-page, one-sided newsletter with masthead, columns, at least one graphic, and a variety of "articles" or items.  newsletter must relate to students at CCRI.  Worth up to 3 bonus points.
For Wednesday, December 2:  BONUS:  write a letter "complaining" (do it nicely) about the table/desk situation in Room 6580.  Find the correct person to write.  Write under your own name or write under Professor Humble's (as Professor Humble, but don't sign "her" letter - use typist's initials with this one).  Worth up to 3 points.
AMNESTY DAY:  Friday, December 4:  You may turn in ONE (and only one) assignment which you missed or on which you did not score well.  Turn in your original with any revision.

Word process all documents unless told otherwise.
Always turn in originals with revisions.
Late papers are not accepted no matter the reason.
 Papers are NOT late if  they are turned in the day due to Professor Humble
before she leaves the college (put your assignment in her mail box
in the English Department, Third Floor  -- she checks as she is leaving).

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Past Assignments

For Friday, Sept 11:  write a paragraph of 4-6 sentences on the differences in two of the YouTube videos sent you in an email from Professor Humble.  Turn in to professor (not graded) as a writing sample.
For Monday, Sept 14:  See page 48, Exercise 5.  Your job is to read the paragraph and re-develop it into a readable document for the intended audience.
For Wednesday, Sept 16:  Write paragraph 1 on page 44 as a proper paragraph following instructions on page 42 and suggestions on page 43.  Worth up to 1 point.
For Friday, Sept 18:  Develop an outline for a description report on a SPECIFIC kitchen spatula. and BRING the spatula to class on Friday. See Description Report section of your book and sample outline on tumbler to use as a model.  Worth up to 2 points.
For Monday, Sept 21:  Revise the Bach paragraph (if you received a "U" only) so that the first and last sentences "match" (as best they can) and re-title.  Worth up to 1 point.  Turn in original with revision (always).
For Wednesday, Sept 23:  Revise outline on the description report about the spatula (if you received a "U" or 1 point only).  Turn in original with revision (always).  See note below about report.
For Friday, Sept 25:  Write a description report on the kitchen spatula used in your outline. See Description Report section of your book and sample report on tumbler.  Follow page 123 formatting style. Worth up to 8 points.  IF YOU TURN IN YOUR REPORT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT 23, YOU WILL RECEIVE 1 BONUS POINT.

For Monday, Sept 28:  Study for the letter format quiz (will take 5-7 minutes to do in class - no make-ups given).  The details of format will be outlined on Friday, September 25; they are not in your book.  Worth up to 3 points.

On Monday, Sept 28:   letter format quiz (worth 3 points) in class.  No make-ups.
For Wednesday, Sept 30:  Write to a state senator or state representative from your area (town/area) to request information on what he or she will be doing to rein in state spending and pay off the substantial state debt.  Also ask what power that state senator or representative feels that he or she holds in making the decisions in the House or Senate.  In addition, ask if that state senator or representative has priorities that he or she feels must be included in the state’s budget.  Use proper letter format.  Worth up to 2 points. 
For Monday, Oct 5:  Develop an outline for a process report (see your chapter on process reports) on giving a spaghetti supper as a fundraiser.  This outline will help immensely with your report, due later.
For Monday, Oct 5:  Revise your letter to your state rep or state senator.  MAKE 2 COPIES.  Turn 2 copies in with your original.
For Wednesday, Oct 7:   Write an extended definition from ONE of the words in Exercise 3 on page 98.  Begin with a strong sentence definition. Be certain to have a title and include your source(s).  See samples on pages 96 and 97.  It needn't be long.  Worth up to 2 points. 

For Friday, Oct 9:   Bring your other book, The RIght to Crow on Wednesday.
For Friday, Oct 9:   Write a formal third-person process report based on the spaghetti supper fundraiser outline.  See your book for model, but also see p. 123 for the style guide.  Worth up to 10 points.
For Wednesday, Oct 14:  Revise your extended definition if you received fewer than 2 points.
For Friday, Oct 16:   Write a memo (in proper format -- note the use of "increase indent" icon to keep paragraphs properly under the information at top of page (see page 52 - but remember to include a subject line).  You will write to Professor Humble from you and your topic is to give me the number of points you have scored so far and how you have scored them (assignment types).  Worth up to 2 points.
In Friday class (only):   Write a memo (in proper format -- note the use of "increase indent" icon to keep paragraphs properly under the information at top of page to Professor Humble from you about the problems you had with your process report.  Worth up to 2 BONUS points.
For Wednesday, Oct 21:  Create a questionnaire (survey) on the topic of "If you were King of the World, what would you change?"  Be sure to create a closed questionnaire with a title and demographics.  Include a minimum of 10 questions (in areas such as transportation, education, arts, and food).  Worth up to 1 point.
Due Wednesday, 28 October:  write an indicative abstract on this article (follow format guidelines in Abstract section of your book):  Puppy.  Click on the link to see the article.  Worth up to 1 point.
Due Friday, 30 October:  develop a proposal in letter format with possible attachments written to either Sue Woodman of A Novel Idea on 450 Hope St, Bristol or to a generic book or game store.  Propose how to run a game night with Rhode Test (the game) or another game.  A proposal is more than a suggestion; it runs deep with details.  Remember:  Sue Woodman wants to run a game night series, beginning with Rhode Test.  Worth up to 12 points.
In Friday class (only), 30 October:   Write a letter in response to Kathy Hartley's inquiry about a webmaster.  Worth up to 2 BONUS points.
Due Monday, November 2:  revise your abstract (for up to one point, assuming you received "U").  Turn in original with your revision.
For Wednesday, Nov 4:  Select your CCRI "complaint" and determine to whom the complaint should be sent.  You will have a negative letter due on Friday on this subject and that letter will be worth up to 3 points.
On Wednesday, Nov 4:  BONUS memorandum on complaint topics.  Done in class only (checked computer screens).  Don't forget to hand initial your memo.
For Friday, Nov 6:  Select your CCRI "complaint" and determine to whom the complaint should be sentA.  Write a negative letter on this subject. Letter will be worth up to 3 points.
For Friday, Nov  13:  Revise your complaint (negative) letter.  Turn it in with the original.