ENGL 3743 - Introduction to Professional Writing
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 40463,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
James Frohman
Email: jrfrohman01@ysu.edu
Course Description
3743. Introduction to Professional Writing. Exploration of writing for public and professional/technical audiences. Students examine the use of writing in public organizations, government, the nonprofit sector, the safety and health professions, and political and social campaigns. With an emphasis on audience and purpose, students consider the rhetorical and ethical demands of writing in public, professional and technical contexts. Assignments may include analysis and research, proposals, media kits, editorials, instructions, position papers, and web content. Prereq.: ENGL 1551 or ENGL 1551H with a minimum grade of C. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | 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.
- “Introduction to Technical Communication,” pp. 2-14
- “Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose,” p. 52-middle of p. 60
- “Applying for a Job,” pp. 261-285
- “Writing Instructions” pp. 397-413
- “Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions,” pp. 222-229
- “Writing Memos” pp. 247-249
- “Writing Recommendation Reports,” pp. 342-358
- “Sample Recommendation Report,” pp. 359-380
- “Researching Your Subject,” pp. 75-100
- “Creating Graphics,” pp. 192-230
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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Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | 8/26 Wednesday: “Introduction to Technical Communication,” pp. 2-14 (Practical Strategies) ; Read Syllabus 8/30 Sunday: “Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose,” p. 52-middle of p. 60 |
Wednesday: Intro / Application Materials Project Sunday: Audience and purpose |
Wednesday: • Welcome to English 3743 video quiz • Watch Week 1 video • Introduction to Technical Communication video quiz Sunday: • Project 1 Assignment Sheet video quiz • Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose video quiz • Complete Intro to Course survey • Update Blackboard profile photo |
| 8/31 | 9/2 Wednesday: “Applying for a Job,” pp. 261-285 9/6 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Drafting Sunday: Drafting |
Wednesday: • Watch Week 2 video • Applying for a Job video quiz • AI Appropriate Use Commitment due • Draft of Project 1 Part A: Resume due to Blackboard portal “Project 1 Draft for Instructor Feedback.” • Draft of Project 1 Part B: Cover Letter due to Blackboard portal “Project 1 Draft for Instructor Feedback.” |
| 9/7 | 9/9 Wednesday: None 9/13 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Feedback and Revision Sunday: Effective Peer Reviews |
Wednesday: • Submit your full Project 1 draft (Part A: Resume and Job Ad, Part B: Cover Letter : Part C: Writing Reflection) within the Project 1 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. The system will assign you two projects to review after you upload your draft. Your peer reviews are due by 9/13 at 11:59 pm. Sunday: • How to Get the Most Out of Peer Review video quiz • Complete your assigned peer reviews (two) within the Project 1 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. |
| 9/14 | 9/16 Wednesday: None 9/20 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Writing for Accessibility Worksheet Sunday: Finalizing Project 1 |
Wednesday: • Watch Week 4 video • Accessibility Writing Assignment Sunday: • Submission Reflection 1 • Final Project 1 (Part A: Resume and Job Ad, Part B: Cover Letter, and Part C: Writing Reflection)) |
| 9/21 | 9/23 Wednesday: “Writing Instructions” pp. 397-413 and “Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions,” pp. 222-229 9/27 Sunday: “Writing Memos” pp. 247-249 |
Wednesday: Project 2: Set of Instructions Sunday: Memos and Proposals |
Wednesday: • Watch Week 5 video • Project 2 Assignment Sheet video quiz • Writing Instructions video quiz Sunday: • Watch the Writing Memos video • Proposal for Project 2: Instructions |
| 9/28 | 9/30 Wednesday: None 10/4 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Drafting Sunday: Drafting |
Wednesday: • Read Proposal feedback from instructor. If Proposal was approved, begin working on Project 2 draft (Part A: Instructions and Part B: Writing Reflection) due 10/7 Sunday: • Continue working on Project 2 draft (due 10/7) |
| 10/5 | 10/7 Wednesday: None 10/11 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Drafting Sunday: Feedback and Revision |
Wednesday: • Draft of Project 2: Instructions due (20 points). Upload your draft (Part A: Instructions and Part B: Writing Reflection) to the Blackboard portal "Project 2 Draft for Instructor Feedback." • Submit your Project 2 draft (Part A and Part B) within the Project 2 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. The system will assign you two projects to review after you upload your draft. Your peer reviews are due by 10/11 at 11:59 pm. Sunday: • Complete your assigned peer reviews (two) within the Project 2 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. |
| 10/12 | 10/14 Wednesday: None 10/18 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: UX Writing Worksheet Sunday: Finalizing Project 2 |
Wednesday: UX Writing Assignment due 11:59 PM Sunday: Final Project 2: Instructions (Part A and B) |
| 10/19 | 10/21 Wednesday: “Writing Recommendation Reports,” pp. 342-358 10/25 Sunday: “Sample Recommendation Report,” pp. 359-380 |
Wednesday: Project 3 Recommendation Report Sunday: Identifying a Topic |
Wednesday: • Watch Week 9 video • Project 3 Assignment Sheet video quiz • Writing Recommendation Reports video quiz Sunday: • Watch Week 10 video • Proposal for Project 3: Recommendation Report |
| 10/26 | 10/28 Wednesday: “Researching Your Subject,” pp. 75-100 11/1 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Secondary Research Sunday: Primary Research |
Wednesday: • Researching Your Subject video quiz Sunday: • Conducting Effective Interviews and Surveys video quiz • Short Assignment due |
| 11/2 | 11/4 Wednesday: None 11/8 Sunday: “Creating Graphics,” pp. 192-230 |
Wednesday: Creating Effective Graphics Sunday: Drafting |
Wednesday: • Creating Graphics video quiz • Continue working on Recommendation Report (Project 3 draft due 11/15) |
| 11/9 | 11/11 Wednesday: No Class 11/15 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: No Class Sunday: Drafting |
Wednesday: No Class Sunday: • Draft of Project 3 Part A: Body of Recommendation Report. Upload your draft to the Blackboard portal "Project 3 Draft for Instructor Feedback." |
| 11/16 | 11/18 Wednesday: None 11/22 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: None Sunday: Feedback and Revisions |
Wednesday: • Draft of Project 3 Part B: Front Matter and Back Matter due (10 points). Submit your full Project 3 draft (Part A: Body of Recommendation Report and Part B: Front Matter and Back Matter) as one document to the Blackboard portal "Project 3 Draft for Instructor Feedback." • Submit your full Project 3 draft (Part A: Body of Recommendation Report and Part B: Front Matter and Back Matter) as one document within the Project 3 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. The system will assign you two projects to review after you upload your draft. Your peer reviews are due by 11/18 at 11:59 pm. Sunday: • Begin working on peer reviews for Project 3 draft (due 4/15). Look within the Project 3 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal under Week 14 for more information. |
| 11/23 | Wednesday: No Class Sunday: No Class |
Wednesday: No Class Sunday: No Class |
Wednesday: No Class - I will be available by email for any questions Sunday: No Class - I will be available by email for any questions |
| 11/30 | 12/1 Wednesday: None 12/5 Sunday: None |
Wednesday: Feedback and Revisions Sunday: Revisions |
Wednesday: • Complete your assigned peer reviews (two) within the Project 3 Draft and Peer Review Activity portal. Sunday: • Short Assignment 6 due • Continue working on recommendation report (Final Project 3 due 12/8) |
| 12/7 | No reading | Wednesday: Finalizing Project 3: Recommendation Report | Wednesday• Final Project 3: Recommendation Report (submit under Final Week on Blackboard). • You are responsible for checking your YSU email once per day until 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.