This is your main working page for ENGL 2311: Technical and Business Writing, the new version as of spring 2024. Use this page to find out what to name your files, see when projects are due, go to the online textbook and other resources for this course.

This course is one version of of ENGL 2311 as taught at Austin Community College (Austin, Texas).

When you complete a unit, click the completed button for that unit.

Links have been removed from this page. To take this fully linked course, contact admin@mcmassociates.io.

In this unit, you learn about audiences of technical documents and the types and purposes of technical documents. You assess what types of information audiences need, what types of information they do not need, and how technically that information should be presented.

Use this link to read about audiences and report types and take the quizzes.

Find a job that fits your current qualifications or those you'll have when you graduate, then write a resume for that job. Next, write an application letter that highlights aspects of your experience and education that match those of the job. Use this assignment to plan what you want to be when you graduate!

Use Practice and projects for this unit.

Develop one of the most important uses of technical writing—instructions. Learn planning and formatting strategies for this bread-and-butter application.

Practice and projects in this unit are due unit_completed and unit_completed (practices) and unit_completed (writing project)

Along with instructions, the other major application of technical writing is the formal technical report. It is "formal" in the sense that it uses a common standardized format and structure. It's an important item in your portfolio that you can show off to prospective employers.

Use Practice and projects for this unit.

You've got nearly a month before the preliminary draft of your final report is due. Don't wait until the evening of unit_completed to draft your report! Work ahead! Hand stuff in early!

You'll need these readings and practices to do a good job on your final report. The practices do count in your final grade.

Technical "writing" is in the title of this course, but technical writing is part of a larger field called technical communication, which involves communicating technical information through all sorts of modes and channels, including the spoken. As a professional, you will present technical information orally at work. Now's the time to start practicing that important skill!

Use Practice and projects for this unit.

Everything in this course has led up to your formal technical report. You've planned the audience, purpose, situation, and report type. You've brainstormed, narrowed, and outlined report contents. You've found information resources for it. You've defined a real or realistic (invented) audience and learned how to incorporate headings, lists, graphics, and tables. You know the parts of the report structure are and can use a template to build your report. It's your time to shine!

Here's a notes and checklist for your final report.

Preliminary draft due unit_completed (Sun.)
Drafts reviewed and returned unit_completed (Wed.)
Final draft due unit_completed (Sun.)
Points: 32 (that's for the final report, not the memo)

Information and programs provided by admin@mcmassociates.io.