Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Technical Writing (Online)

COMM 4240-33I

Course: COMM 4240-33I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11455

Course Description

This course focuses on practical types of writing used in business and industry. Using principles of analyzing and planning to meet the reader’s informational needs, students produce proposals, instructions, and the various types of informative and persuasive reports used in organizations. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Markel, M. Practical Strategies for Technical Communication, 3rd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1319362294

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Recognize Markel’s Eight Measures of Excellence: honesty, clarity, accuracy, comprehensiveness, accessibility, conciseness, professional appearance, and correctness, and utilize them for effective communication.
  2. Evaluate the aspects of each communication situation: audience, purpose, and context.
  3. Create effective professional memos, proposals, technical definitions, and reports.
  4. Integrate visual items in technical documents.
  5. Analyze, incorporate, and attribute data from research.

Course Requirements

Quizzes


You will have 14 quizzes in this course; one for each module. Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice questions that will come from your textbook. You will have 50 minutes and one attempt to complete each quiz. Quizzes must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your textbook and notes when completing the quizzes.

Learning Evaluations


You will have a learning evaluation to complete in most modules. Each learning evaluation will be in the form a 250-word discussion post about the topic covered in the chapter you’re currently reading. Learning evaluations will gauge your ability to apply concepts discussed in the chapter to real-life situations. After posting your initial evaluation, you will be required to respond to a classmate’s post within 48 hours of the initial post’s due date.

Writing Assignments


You will have 14 major writing assignments in this course; one for each module. Each writing assignment will explore the concepts you learned throughout the module. The assignments will vary in length and style depending on the material addressed in the module. Examples include job application materials, professional memos, and a promotional flyer. Writing assignments must be submitted no later than the assigned due date.

Final Exam


You will have a comprehensive final exam consisting of 70 questions. Much like the quizzes, the final exam will be multiple choice that will come from your textbook. You will have 140 minutes and one attempt to complete the exam. The exam will be available once all assignments in module 14 close. You may use your textbook and notes when completing the final exam.


Course Outline

Module 1: Intro to Technical Communication
Module 2: Ethical & Legal Issues
Module 3: Collaborative Writing
Module 4: Understanding Audience
Module 5: Research & Analysis
Module 6: Writing for your Readers
Module 7: Document Design
Module 8: Creating Graphics
Module 9: Correspondence
Module 10: Resume Writing
Module 11: Writing Proposals
Module 12: Definitions, Descriptions, & Instructions
Module 13: Writing Informational & Recommendation Reports
Module 14: Making Oral Presentations
Module 15: Final Exam

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

Late work is accepted up to a week late with a 10% penalty for each day it is late. All other exceptions need to be approved through the Disability Resource Center.

Attendance Policy

This is a schedule-based online course. While there are no required live sessions, students are expected to regularly log in, keep up with assigned work, and meet all deadlines. Active participation through timely submissions and engagement with course materials is essential for success. Students are responsible for managing their own schedules and seeking help promptly if challenges arise.

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.