ENGL 3743 - Introduction to Professional Writing
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40462,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Maria Conti Maravillas
Email: mcontimaravillas@ysu.edu
Course Description
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Writing is something that can be improved through practice. Every writer, regardless of their prior writing experiences, can succeed in this course if they apply effort, use resources effectively, reflect on their writing strategies, and make changes as needed. My hope is that all students will develop the knowledge they need to do well and that all students—even those who perform well early in the semester—will develop greater knowledge and skills through practice. The goal is to prepare you for writing and communicative tasks in the university, in the workplace, and in your civic, social, and professional life.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Practical Strategies for Technical Communication: A Brief Guide, 5th edition | Mike Markel and Stuart A. Selber | 9781319476779 |
Required Course Textbook
Practical Strategies for Technical Communication: A Brief Guide, 5th edition (2025), Mike Markel and Stuart A. Selber, ISBN-13: 9781319476779.
You will need access to the textbook to complete assignments, and it must be the 5th edition. Check the YSU Bookstore for print and digital copies for purchase or rent. Assigned chapters are as follows:
- “Introduction to Technical Communication”
- “Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose”
- “Applying for a Job”
- “Writing Instructions”
- “Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions”
- “Writing Memos”
- “Writing Recommendation Reports”
- “Sample Recommendation Report”
- “Researching Your Subject”
- “Creating Graphics”
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Course Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | “Introduction to Technical Communication,” pp. 2-14 (Practical Strategies) “Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose,” p. 52-middle of p. 60 |
Unit 1: Application Materials Project audience and purpse |
By 8/26: Read pp. 2-14; Welcome to English 3743 video quiz; Watch Week 1 video; Introduction to Technical Communication video quiz By 8/30: Read pp. 52-60; Project 1 Assignment Sheet video quiz; Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose video quiz; Complete Intro to Course survey; Update Blackboard profile photo |
| 8/31 | “Applying for a Job,” pp. 261-285 | drafting | By 9/2: Read pp. 261-285; Watch Week 2 video; Applying for a Job video quiz; AI Appropriate Use Commitment due; Draft of Project 1 Part A: Resume due By 9/6: Draft of Project 1 Part B: Cover Letter due; Rhetorical Choices Analysis video quiz |
| 9/7 | feedback and revision | By 9/9: Watch Week 3 video; Draft of Project 1 Part C: Rhetorical Choices Analysis due; Submit your full Project 1 draft (Parts A, B, and C) to the peer review portal. By 9/13: How to Get the Most Out of Peer Review video quiz; Complete your assigned peer reviews (two) |
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| 9/14 | revision and editing; finalizing Project 1 | By 9/16: Watch Week 4 video; Short Assignment 1 By 9/20 Submission Reflection 1; Final Project 1 (Parts A, B, and C) |
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| 9/21 | “Writing Instructions” pp. 397-413 and “Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions,” pp. 222-229 “Writing Memos” pp. 247-249 |
Project 2: Set of Instructions; memos and proposal | By 9/23: Read pp. 397-413 and 222-229; Watch Week 5 video; Project 2 Assignment Sheet video quiz; Writing Instructions video quiz By 9/27: Read pp. 247-249; Watch the Writing Memos video; Proposal for Project 2: Instructions |
| 9/28 | By 9/30: Read Proposal feedback from instructor. If Proposal was approved, begin working on Project 2 draft (Part A: Instructions and Part B: Rhetorical Choices Analysis). By 10/4: Feedback Memo 1 due; Continue working on Project 2 draft. |
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| 10/5 | drafting; feedback and revisions | By 10/7: Project 2 draft (Parts A and B) due to instructor portal and peer review portal. By 10/11: Complete your assigned peer reviews (two). |
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| 10/12 | revision and editing; finalizing Project 2 | By 10/14: Watch Week 8 video; Short Assignment 2 By 10/18: Submission Reflection 2 due; Final Project 2 due |
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| 10/19 | “Writing Recommendation Reports,” pp. 342-358 “Sample Recommendation Report,” pp. 359-380 |
Project 3: Recommendation Report; identifying a topic | By 10/21: Read pp. 342-358; Watch Week 9 video; Project 3 Assignment Sheet video quiz; Writing Recommendation Reports video quiz By 10/25: Read pp. 359-380; Watch Week 10 video; Proposal for Project 3 due |
| 10/26 | “Researching Your Subject,” pp. 75-100 | secondary research; primary research | By 10/28: Read pp. 75-100; Researching Your Subject video quiz By 11/1: Conducting Effective Interviews and Surveys video quiz; Short Assignment 3 due |
| 11/2 | “Creating Graphics,” pp. 192-230 | creating effective graphics; drafting | By 11/4: Watch Week 11 video; Short Assignment 4 due; Continue working on recommendation report By 11/8: Read pp. 192-230; Creating Graphics video quiz; Feedback Memo 2 due; Continue working on recommendation report |
| 11/9 | drafting | 11/11: University closed By 11/15: Watch Week 12 video; Short Assignment 5 due; Continue working on recommendation report |
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| 11/16 | drafting | By 11/18: Draft of Project 3 Part A due By 11/22: Draft of Project 3 Part 2 due to instructor portal. Submit Parts A and B to the peer review portal. |
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| 11/23 | feedback and revisions | No classes (university wide) for Thanksgiving Break By 11/25: Begin working on Project 3 peer reviews (two). By 11/29: Continue working on Project 3 peer reviews. |
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| 11/30 | feedback and revisions | By 12/2: Complete Project 3 peer reviews (two). By 12/4: Short Assignment 6 due; Continue working on recommendation report. |
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| 12/7 | finalizing Project 3 | By 12/8: Final Project 3: Recommendation Report is due by Tuesday, 12/8. You are responsible for checking your YSU email once per day until 12/14 (when final grades are submitted) in case of issues with technology, files, submission, etc. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.