Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Technical Writing (Online)

COMM 4240-42I

Course: COMM 4240-42I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: COMM
CRN: 32092

Course Description

Technical writing is used in many technical and professional fields. Its goal is to accurately and concisely convey direction, explanation, or instruction to specific audiences of varying levels of technical knowledge so that all readers clearly understand the information they need.

Required Texts

  • Practical Strategies for Technical Communication
    Mike Markel, 2nd edition (PDF provided in Canvas under Files)

You will need reliable and consistent Internet access for this course.

Learning Outcomes

Objectives

In an increasingly complex world, good technical writing is crucial in all fields. This course will help you learn how to create and design clear, concise, quality communication and reports for any professional environment.

After the successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Communicate using Markel’s Eight Measures of Excellence: honesty, clarity, accuracy, comprehensiveness, accessibility, conciseness, professional appearance, and correctness.
  2. Evaluate the communication situation: audience, purpose, and context.
  3. Create effective professional documents, i.e., memos, letters, proposals, feasibility reports, etc.
  4. Integrate visual media into technical documents.
  5. Understand how to analyze data from research and incorporate that data into effective presentations or other documents.
  6. Use a cover letter, résumé, and job search profiles in multiple job networking sites.
  7. Develop life-long learning and self-editing skills.
  8. Develop as a professional and a leader.
  9. Understand the importance of effectively listening, reading, and receiving assignment instructions.
  10. Track and maintain deadlines for effective commerce with customers.
  11. Learn to research professional organizations in their field and research conferences that would enhance their careers.  

Course Requirements

Grading Standards: 

A

93-100%

C+

77-79% 

A-

90-92% 

C

74-76% 

B+

86-89% 

C-

70-73% 

B*

83-85% 

D

60-69% 

B-

80-82% 

F

59% or lower

 

Grading Breakdown: 

Assignment  

Points Possible

Writing Experience Paper

50

Discussions (5 @ 20 points each)

100

12 Weekly Homework Assignments (scores between  50-100)

700

Final Project – Written Report or Feasibility Study

200

Total Possible Points

1,050

Course Outline

Technical Writing Course Schedule Fall 2025

4240 42I

This schedule is subject to change.

Week

Dates

Subject

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for each week. Read assignments carefully. Assignments are due by Sunday @ 11:59 pm each week.

1

8-27 to    8/31

Classes begin on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

Week #1: Read the syllabus, review all assignments, familiarize yourself with what is expected of you in this course. See Canvas Assignment for Week #1

 

9/1

Labor Day

No Class

2

9-2 to    9-7

Introduction to Technical Communication

 

Read CH. 1

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #2.

3

9-8

to

9-14

Understanding Ethical and Legal Obligations

 

Read CH. 2

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #3.

4

9-15

to

9-21

Writing Collaboratively

 

 

Read CH. 3

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #4.

5

9-22

to

9-28

Analyzing your Audience and Purpose

 

Read CH. 4

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #5.

6

9-29

to

10-5

Researching your Subject (for your Proposal Assignment or Feasibility Report).

Read CH. 5

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #6.

7

10-6 to

10-12

Writing for your Readers

Read CH. 6

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #7.

 

10/13-14

Fall Break

No Classes

8

10-15

to

10-19

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Read CH. 14

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #8.

9

10-20

to

10-26

Designing Print/Online Documents, and Creating Graphics

Read CH. 7 & 8

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #9.

10

10-27

to

11-2

Writing Correspondence/Job Application Materials

 

Read CH. 9 & 10

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #10.

11

11-3

to

11-9

Writing Proposals

Read CH. 11

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #11.

12

11-10

to

11-16

Writing Recommendation Reports

Read CH. 13 & Appendix- References.

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #12.

13

11-17 to 11-23

Writing Informational Reports

Read CH. 12

Check Canvas for Assignments and Discussions for Week #13.

14

11-24 to

11-30

Thanksgiving Break

No assignments for the whole week.

Go outside! Look at the sunset, go for a hike, check out the stars, soak up the sun, then get caught up on past assignments, and start working on your final report!

15

12-1

to

12-7

Work on Proposal or Feasibility Report

See Canvas for Assignment. Proposal or Feasibility Report due on December 11.  Be sure you submit your Report on time.

16

12-8

to

12-11

Submit your final report

Your Proposal or Feasibility Report is due on December 11, 2025. I will not accept any late reports, so plan well.

 

 

Enjoy your Christmas Break!

 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Participation- Participation includes participating meaningfully in group discussions and relating class material to your own experience outside class. Completing all class assignments. I suggest you review your homework before completing your reading so you can highlight segments that you will want to refer to while completing your homework.
Late Work- Percentage points will be deducted for late work. I will not accept any assignments after the “Until” date.
Best Contact- The best way to contact me is by sending me an email. I will respond at my earliest convenience, but it will most likely be that day.
All assignments for this course will be submitted on Canvas.
Assignments are due by Sunday @ 11:59 pm Mountain Time each week.
I will not accept any late reports, so plan well.

Attendance Policy

Attendance- This is an online class which makes it different from courses you attend in person everyday: It is essential that you keep up with the work that is assigned. That is how I take attendance. If you do not complete assignments every week, that becomes a concern for me.

Course Fees

There are no course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.