ENC 3242, Technical Communication for MajorsFall 2015, Week 14 (final lecture)

Course Summary andExam Preparation

Length of this lecture audio: 00:25:35(There are no audio codes in this lecture.)

University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee© 2015 by T. E. Roberts, Instructor

http://www.todroberts.com/USF/3242_welcome.htm

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 2 of 6

Course Take-Away

Many students are understandably conditioned to think like students, not professionals.

Professionals must perform under stressful conditions that both resemble and differ from school work. Little if any time to plan and practice Major impacts on your personal and family security Placating irrational clients or employers who demand the impossible (this never

happens with professors!) Remaining calm and focused in combat Consistently delivering excellent results

This course has given you a small taste of the communications work you may encounter in the future.

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 3 of 6

Course Evaluation

You will receive a link to this online survey via email.

The evaluation is a requirement, not an option -- it must be completed by end of term.

Send me a screen capture of the confirmation showing that you have completed the evaluation. (See example below.)

The evaluation is an important tool for improving course design and presentation.

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 4 of 6

Course Summary: Assignments

1: Teach a Technical Task (Sept. 7)2: Interview a PTC Professional (Sept. 28)3: Crisis Communications (Oct. 19)4: Three Options (Nov. 30)

Controversial topic College 20 years hence Customized topic

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 5 of 6

Course Summary: What the Exam Will Cover

All course readings

All the course lectures

All course-related email messages

The syllabus and assignment instructions

The content of your written submissions

Emphasis on highlighted links on the course website

Daily writing tips from Aug. 24 to Nov. 27 -- see http://www.dailywritingtips.com/

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 6 of 6

Exam Preparation Tips Test will consist of 16 multiple-choice questions (each correct answer is worth four points), and 18

true/false questions (each correct answer is worth two points). An incorrect or missing answer earns a zero. All questions call for the “best” answer. Total points available = 100.

To reduce risk of cheating, questions will be drawn at random from a large pool and thus will vary individually for each student.

Exam must be completed within 45 minutes -- if you stop to look up an answer, you will run out of time. (Average time per question = 80 seconds)

Will be available on Canvas from 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, until 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Do not wait until the last minute to take the exam!

Be sure you and your computer are ready -- no distractions, no power or internet outage. Use your computer, not a tablet or smart phone.

Exam counts for ten percent (10%) of your overall semester grade in ENC 3242Easy sample question: You are a corporate communications manager supervising the work of three writers. A client has complained about a missed deadline and poor quality in a project in which your department played a major role. You must meet your boss in about an hour to explain what went wrong. Based on what you have learned in ENC 3242, your best strategy will be to (a) blame the mistakes on those who report to you; (b) submit your resignation on the spot; (c) present a feasible plan for correcting the mistakes and undoing the harm to the client; (d) change your identity and flee the office wearing a disguise; or (e) tell the client, “We don’t need your crappy business -- go find somebody desperate enough to serve you.”

For test preparation, create and answer your own similar (but more challenging!) questions.

ENC 3242, Technical Communication for Majors • Fall 2015 • Week 14 (final lecture) • Slide 7 of 6

Closing Thoughts

You don’t need a teacher, course, or textbook to become a skilled professional.

If you’re graduating this semester, congratulations and good luck on your next career step ... say hello at the USFSM commencement (Sunday, Dec. 13). I might be wearing a Guy Fawkes “Anonymous” mask to represent the online learning (or hacking) community.

Have a good holiday break, and stay in touch.