+ ICS 139W Critical Writing on Information Technology Lecture 1 Emily Navarro Duplication of course material for any commercial purpose without the explicit written permission of the professor is prohibited
Mar 30, 2015
+
ICS 139WCritical Writing on Information Technology
Lecture 1Emily Navarro
Duplication of course material for any commercial purpose without the explicit written permission of the professor is prohibited
+Today’s Lecture
Course introduction
“System change” assignment overview
“Writing instructions” assignment overview
+Course Introduction
+Course Basics
Course: ICS 139W – Critical Writing on Information Technology
Professor: Emily Navarro ([email protected])
TA: Scott Godfrey ([email protected])
Lecture: T Th 5-6:20pm, ICS 180
Discussion: W 9-9:50 (ICS 259), 10-10:50 (DBH 1423) (attend one per week) Some weeks: required activities Some weeks: informal consultation hour
Course Website: http://www.ics.uci.edu/~emilyo/teaching/ics139ws2014/index.html
+Course Basics (II)
Office hours Emily: before or after lecture, by appointment Scott: before or after discussion, by appointment
Questions and announcements Email or in class Class email list
Course materials English dictionary and thesaurus A writing guide (see UCI Writing Center resources)
+Course Goals
To give you the opportunity to focus on writing in your specific academic discipline (CS)
To help you become comfortable writing technical documents for a variety of audiences
To help you become comfortable with giving presentations
+Grading
Writing Assignments: "Writing Instructions:" 10% "Influencing Policy:” 15% "Changing the System Introductory Tutorial:" 15% "Changing the System Proposal:" 20% “Changing the System Promo Piece:” 5% Resumé and cover letter: 5% Two or three smaller in-class exercises: 10%
Class attendance and participation, including three or four oral presentations: 20% Really good reason for absence, let me know beforehand
No exams
+Writing Assignment Requirements
Submission mechanics Submit a hard copy at the BEGINNING of class ALSO submit an electronic copy via EEE Dropbox
Intermediate versions should be as good as you can make them count for 1/3 of your grade on the assignment must include marked copies of all earlier versions
both instructor marks and peer editing marks refers to paper submission only
+Writing Assignment Requirements (II)
Plagiarism DON’T DO IT! Plagiarism = presenting someone else’s work as your own Cite any resources from which you pull information “Two or more” rule of thumb All assignments are checked thoroughly for plagiarism Plagiarism consequences
Fail the course Offense recorded with Student Affairs
+Writing Assignment Requirements (III)
Grammatical/spelling mechanics A good command of English syntax, spelling, and
punctuation is assumed Course focuses on content, organization, audience, and
style We will not mark every grammatical error on your
assignments But they can lower your grade
If you need help with this, the UCI Writing Center has many resources
+Spelling/Grammar Checkers
Spell check will not fined words witch are miss used butt spelled rite!
Marketing are bad for brand big and small. You Know What I am Saying? It is no wondering that advertisings are bad for company in America, Chicago and Germany. ... McDonald's and Coca Cola are good brand. ... Gates do good marketing job in Microsoft.
+Spelling/Grammar Checkers
Spell check will not fined words witch are miss used butt spelled rite!
Marketing are bad for brand big and small. You Know What I am Saying? It is no wondering that advertisings are bad for company in America, Chicago and Germany. ... McDonald's and Coca Cola are good brand. ... Gates do good marketing job in Microsoft.
Passes MS Word’s grammar checker!
+Writing Assignment Requirements (IV)
Counting words and pages one page = one standard, double-spaced typewritten page;
~300 words, 10-12 point font
Typography: All papers must be Typewritten Double-spaced
Except for Influencing Policy letter final version Change proposal cover letter
+Writing Assignment Requirements (V)
Binding Smaller assignments: one staple in upper left corner Larger assignments (that include previous drafts): one large
paper clip or purse clip Include your name on each piece
For more details see “Writing Assignment Requirements” linked off the class Website
+“System Change” Assignment
+Basic Idea
Examine some software system you are familiar with from a variety of perspectives: Introducing new users to the system Proposing changes to the system Promoting the changed system to its users
You will create documents and oral presentations for each of these purposes Focus on the different audiences
and how your writing/presenting needs to be tailored to each
+Stage I – Choosing a System
Can be conventional application software or a Website with complex navigation/interaction/functionality
Audience: our class
Deliverables: 4/3: Email to Scott
Name the system Describe it if unfamiliar Sketch out the changes you are proposing
4/10: 1-2 minute oral presentation in lecture Based on feedback from Scott
+Stage II – Introduction for Novices
Write an introduction to the system for novices 3-4 pages High-level description of the system, its capabilities, tasks it
performs Include any necessary background information Do not include tedious minor details
E.g., which keys to press, which menu items to choose
Audience: novices
Deliverables: 4/16: First draft 4/17 or 4/21: 2-minute oral version of introduction 4/23: Final version
+Stage III – Proposal for Change
Write a proposal for changing the system 5-6 pages plus a single-page cover letter
Address the proposal to whoever is in charge of making the changes happen Produce a proposal that is actually “sendable” to this person
Audience: decision-makers
Deliverables: 4/24: First draft for joint editing in class + presentation slides 5/1: Revision of proposal and slides based on joint editing 5/15, 5/20, 5/22: Final oral proposal for change (~4 min.) 5/20: Final written version + final presentation slides
+Stage IV – Promotion for Users
Prepare a one-page promotion piece announcing, describing, and promoting your change to current users Flyer, brochure, memo, Web page, etc. Can be relatively informal
Audience: current users of the system
Deliverables: 5/29: Draft for editing in class 6/3: Final version + 2- minute presentation
+Suggestions/Advice
Choose software that you know/care about
Be mindful of your audience
Use graphics effectively
Cite your sources of information
For oral portions, do not simply read from a script
Seek advice from us
Oral presentation graded on preparedness (not speaking style, nervousness, etc.)
+“Writing Instructions” Assignment
+Basic Idea
The premise We are used to writing instructions for computers Writing instructions for human execution requires a
different set of skills
The assignment Build some object using 20-30 Legos, Tinkertoys, etc.
Premade “kits” not allowed Write a manual for building your object using only words
(no pictures) Build each other’s objects in class using only the written
manual
+Due Dates
4/9 Disassembled components of your object and three copies
of a good draft of your manual You will build each others’ objects in class and make
suggestions for improvements to each others’ manuals
4/15 Final revision of your manual Disassembled components
+Suggestions and Hints
Start your manual with a list of components
Consider describing your object in terms of modules
Use organizational guides in your manual e.g., section headers, table of contents
+Next Time
Discussion (tomorrow) Consultation hour for “Changing System” and “Writing
Instructions” assignments
Lecture (Thursday) In-class writing sample
“Easy” topic ~300 words You may bring a dictionary or other reference work on
paper Strive for perfect mechanics, grammar, usage, clarity,
organization Bring a pencil or two
+Next, Next Time
Lecture (Tuesday) Read the two papers on PowerPoint available on the course
Website You will write about them in class