ENGL 3743 - Introduction to Professional Writing
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 03, CRN 41577,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Diana Awad Scrocco
Email: dlawadscrocco@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 | Mike Markel, Stuart A. Selber | 9781319476779 |
REQUIRED:
Alley, M., Schreiber, M., Ramsdell, K., & Muffo, J. (2005). Pilot testing of a new design for presentation. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 35(4), 421–432.
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 of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Introduction to Professional Writing | ||
| Thu | 8/27 | Textbook Chapter 4, “Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose” | Introduction to Rhetorical Situations | Submit Reading Response 1 |
| Tue | 9/1 | Textbook Chapter 11, “Writing Proposals” | Introduction to Proposals | Submit Reading Response 2 Bring notes or draft of project proposal |
| Thu | 9/3 | Peer Review: Problem Proposal Memo | Submit full draft of Problem Proposal Memo for peer review Final draft of Problem Proposal Memo due Sunday, 9/6/26 at midnight |
|
| Tue | 9/8 | Textbook Chapter 5, “Researching Your Subject” | Conducting Research in Professional Contexts | Submit Reading Response 3 |
| Thu | 9/10 | Textbook Chapter 8, “Creating Graphics” | Creating Graphics for Professional Documents | Submit Reading Response 4 |
| Tue | 9/15 | Workshop: Using Secondary Sources to Create Infographics | Bring 3 sources with notes for the project | |
| Thu | 9/17 | Workshop: Using Secondary Sources to Create Infographics | Bring 2-3 more sources with notes for the project | |
| Tue | 9/22 | Workshop: Using Secondary Sources to Create Infographics | Bring draft of Secondary Research Infographic for workshop | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Peer Review: User Testing Infographics | Bring full draft of Secondary Research Infographic for user test peer review | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Infographic Presentations | Submit Secondary Research Infographic final draft Secondary Research Infographic Presentations |
|
| Thu | 10/1 | Infographic Presentations | Secondary Research Infographic Presentations Bring first draft of primary research study methods plan |
|
| Tue | 10/6 | Textbook Chapter 6, “Writing for Your Readers” | Analyzing Professional Audiences | Submit Reading Response 5 Bring collected primary data or revised primary data plan |
| Thu | 10/8 | Textbook Chapter 7, “Designing Print and Digital Documents” | Designing Professional Print and Digital Documents | Submit Reading Response 6 Bring collected primary data |
| Tue | 10/13 | Workshop: Research Study Poster | Bring current draft of Primary Research Study Poster | |
| Thu | 10/15 | Peer Review: Primary Research Study Poster | Submit full draft of Primary Research Study Poster for peer review | |
| Tue | 10/20 | Primary Research Poster Presentations | Submit Primary Research Study Poster final draft Primary Research Poster Presentations |
|
| Thu | 10/22 | Primary Research Poster Presentations | Primary Research Poster Presentations | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Textbook Chapter 13, “Writing Recommendation Reports” | Writing Professional Recommendation Reports | Submit Reading Response 7 |
| Thu | 10/29 | Alley, M., Schreiber, M., Ramsdell, K., & Muffo, J. (2005). Pilot testing of a new design for presentation. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 35(4), 421–432. | Designing Professional PowerPoint Slides | Submit Reading Response (BONUS) |
| Tue | 11/3 | Workshop: Research-Based Recommendation Report | Bring draft of Recommendation Report | |
| Thu | 11/5 | Writing a Research Paper with Primary Data Analysis | Bring draft of Recommendation Report | |
| Tue | 11/10 | Peer Review: Recommendation Report | Submit half draft of Recommendation Report for peer review | |
| Thu | 11/12 | No Class | ||
| Tue | 11/17 | Textbook Chapter 10, “Applying for a Job” | Writing Job Application Materials | Submit Reading Response 8 Bring job posting for internship or position Bring job posting for internship or position |
| Thu | 11/19 | Peer Review: Final PowerPoint Presentation Slides | Submit full draft of Final Presentation PowerPoint for peer review | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Group Peer Review: Recommendation Report | Submit full draft of Recommendation Report for group peer review (48 hours in advance) | |
| Thu | 11/26 | No Class | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Recommendation Report Final Presentations | Submit Final PowerPoint final draft Final Presentations |
|
| Thu | 12/3 | Recommendation Report Final Presentations Peer Review: Job Application Portfolio |
Final Presentations Submit full draft of Job Application Portfolio for peer review |
|
| Tue | 12/8 | No Class | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | Final Drafts Due | Submit Recommendation Report final draft Submit Job Application Portfolio final draft |
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.