.
PREVIEW: 3 May 2007
--FINAL PROJECT is due.  Guidelines, tips, and models for the FINAL PROJECT are provided in our course text and in handouts as well as at our PROJECTS page.   Simply drop your project folder into the gray box on the counter in Solms 211 no later than 6:00 p.m. this evening.  Graded projects and graded final exams can be collected from this same box on May 9 (or any time after May 9--but no sooner).  Remember also to submit a revised copy of your resume. 

PREVIEW: 26 April 2007
--FINAL EXAM.  Guidelines and sample questions for the final examination appear at the EXAMS page.   You will have the full class period this evening to complete the exam.  Please arrive on time equipped with pens and paper.   Graded final exams can be collected (along with graded final projects) from the gray ENGL 7100 box on the counter in Solms 211 on Wednesday, May 9 (or any time afterwards--but not before).

POSTSCRIPT: 19 April 2007
--EDITING REVIEW.  We completed an editing exercise in class this evening, and I distributing a second editing exercise to help you prepare for Part III of the final exam.
--GRADE SHEET FOR FINAL PROJECT.  I distributed a copy of the grade sheet that I'll be using when I evaluate your final projects.  You may want to use this grade sheet as a checklist when you do the final revising, editing, and proofreading of your project; of course, the grade sheet is not meant as a substitute for the complete guidelines posted at our PROJECTS page.  
--GROUP COMMUNICATIONS.  We reviewed the assigned handouts.

PREVIEW: 19 April 2007
--GROUP COMMUNICATIONS.  We'll focus our attention this evening on various types of group and collaborative communications. See ASSIGNMENTS.
--EDITING REVIEW.  We'll enjoy a final quick editing exercise this evening.
--REVIEW OF COURSE WEB SITE.  As you prepare for the FINAL EXAM, make sure that you review the information on this course web site, in particular materials at ASSIGNMENTS (check that you've done them all), NEWS, MINUTES, PROJECTS, and NOTES.  If you have any questions about any of the information on these pages, please send me an e-mail no later than the evening before tonight's class so that I'll be prepared to answer your questions in class.
--GRADE SHEET FOR FINAL PROJECT.  This evening I'll distribute a copy of the grade sheet that I'll be using when I evaluate your final projects.  You may want to use this grade sheet as a checklist when you do the final revising, editing, and proofreading of your project; of course, the grade sheet is not meant as a substitute for the complete guidelines posted at our PROJECTS page.   


POSTSCRIPT: 5 April 2007
--CONFERENCES THE WEEK OF APRIL 9.  Please meet with me in our seminar room (Solms 209), preferably with your progress report (or a draft of it) in hand. 
April 9:   5:30 Lee
              6:00 Pamela
April 10: 5:00 Lewis
              5:45 Mike (re. ENGL 8100)
April 11: 5:30 Tab
              6:00 Beth
April 12: 5:00 Karla
              5:45 Pat
              6:00 Kerry
              6:15 Kelley
--INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION.  Here are some additional online resources:
-The Plain Language Association International
-From Plain English to Global English (Rachel McAlpine)
-Writing English for an International Audience (Kathryn King)
-Editing for an International Audience (Nan Fritz)
--EFFECTIVE USE OF GRAPHICS.  Here are some additional online resources:
-Create Charts & Graphs with Excel (Lorrie Jackson)
-How to Create a Chart in Excel (Grace Fleming)
-Create-a-Graph (designed for youngsters, this simple program works adequately and the results can be copied and pasted into a Word document--it's the ultimate in KISS)
In World of Work, know the principles of using graphics effectively (pp. 131-144) and the most common types of graphics (i.e., those that you may be using in your final project): block diagrams, tables, charts, and graphs (pp. 162-180).
--SAVE THE WIDOWS & ORPHANS.
--INTERVIEWING as a research strategy.   You'll find a summary of many of the key points discussed tonight in (1) this resource page at the Purdue OWL (also here) and (2) this PowerPoint presentation from the Purdue OWL.
--FINAL EXAM.  By the end of next week, I'll post exam guidelines and invite you to submit sample questions and answers, as discussed this evening.
--NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE [NGT].  We'll return to this method when we next meet as a class on April 19.  In the meantime, if you intend to conduct a focus group session as part of the research for your final project, consider incorporating the principles of NGT.


PREVIEW: 5 April 2007
--PRESENTATIONS.  Please see ASSIGNMENTS so that you're prepared for this evening's presentations by Tab and Kelley.
--CRITIQUE OF SAMPLE PROGRESS REPORT MEMO.  As a guide to preparing your own progress reports (due via e-mail next Thursday evening), we'll evaluate a sample report this evening.
--NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE [NGT] (handout).  Though NGT goes by various names and has countless variations, its basic purpose and common methods are spelled out in Version A on the handout.  Make sure that you're familiar with the five main stages, and be able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the technique.  Please study the handout before tonight's class, and let me know if you have any questions.
--APPOINTMENTS THE WEEK OF APRIL 9.  Of course, the primary reason that we're forgoing our usual class meeting on April 12 is so that I can meet with each of you individually to discuss the progress you're making on your final project.  The secondary reason is that next week is our Campus Read, and I'm tied up with several events that run from Monday through Friday.  In class this evening, I'll pass around an appointment sign-up sheet for next week: first picks go to early arrivals.
--FINAL GRADES.  The grading scale is on our SYLLABUS:
-You have just about completed the first 35% of your grade (exercises, short reports, presentations, minutes, class--and online--participation): if you've made a habit of (1) arriving well prepared each Thursday evening,  (2) submitting all work appropriately and on time, (3) delivering reports and presentations without falling on your face, and (4) demonstrating professionalism and leadership (which--in my classes, at least--means communicating clearly, concisely, correctly, and considerately in a spirit of mutual support), you're in excellent shape. If you're still making mistakes that were covered early in the term, you're not.
-The next 35% of the grade will be determined by your performance on all parts of the FINAL PROJECT, beginning with the topic proposal memo.  If you've fallen behind, you have about four weeks left to pick up the pace--but those weeks will pass quickly.  Remember that I'm encouraging (though not requiring) you to submit drafts (partial or complete) to me for review: the sooner you show me a draft, the more help I'm likely to be able to provide.    
-The final 30% of your grade will be based on your performance on the final exam. If, since the start of term, you have read all assignments thoughtfully, taken good notes, kept up with this course web site, and sought assistance on exercises and readings that gave you problems, you're in the luxurious position of being able to review for the exam (rather than learn material for the first time).  Over the next two weeks, I'll be posting a quick guide to the final on the EXAMS page and inviting you to submit sample questions and answers.  Doing so will multiply your good fortune by (1) providing an opportunity to engage in group study sessions  without leaving the comfort of your home or office, and (2) letting you know (at least in part) which questions will actually appear on the exam. The only limit on the number of questions and answers that you post is bandwidth. In short, your final grade is (for now, at least) in your hands. 
--EDITING SKILLS.  See note at March 29th postscript (below).               

POSTSCRIPT: 29 March 2007
--INFORMATION RETRIEVAL.  As you work on your evaluation of the professional communication modules at the IR website (see ASSIGNMENTS), don't hesitate to contact Dr. Zhu or his teammates if you have any questions.  Their email addresses are on the Members page.
--EDITING SKILLS.  Though we didn't have time this evening to practice editing skills, I encourage you to get in some practice on your own by working with the class MINUTES, as we did a few weeks back.   In addition, if you need to review any of the principles covered in the Writer's Guide at the end of World of Work (pages 608-659), please take advantage of the tutorials at Professional Writing Style. All 12 lessons cover topics that we've been considering since the start of term.  A significant portion of the final exam will call on you to apply these editing skills.
--MEETING MANAGEMENT.  As we've seen, meeting efficiency and effectiveness can be significantly improved by careful planning and skillful leadership. Two essential documents are the meeting agenda and the meeting minutes (or action plan).  Be prepared to explain how an effective agenda serves to make both the meeting's leader and other attendees perform more effectively.  Also, while a leader should ensure "balanced participation" among attendees during a meeting, consider what responsibilities attendees have to foster balanced participation.  Please check out the links I've added to "Managing Meetings Effectively" at our RESOURCES page.

PREVIEW: 29 March 2007
--INFORMATION RETRIEVAL.  Make sure that you've prepared for Dr. Lei Zhu's visit by visiting http://cs.armstrong.edu/leizhu/iir/modules/d1/index.html.  This evening we'll consider some strategies for conducting effective research online and for evaluating online resources.
--PRESENTATIONS.  Please see ASSIGNMENTS so that you're prepared for this evening's presentations by Beth and Kerry.
--RESEARCH METHODS.  This evening we'll consider some strategies for conducting effective interviews--in person, by phone, and by email. Please prepare for our discussion by visiting these two web sites:
- "Conducting Effective Interviews" (for oral historians in particular, but advice is useful for all researchers)
- "General Guidelines for Conducting Effective Interviews," by Carter McNamara (1999).
--EDITING SKILLS.  We'll practice our editing skills on a few excerpts from topic proposal memos.

POSTSCRIPT: 22 March 2007
--GRANT WRITING.   Please take advantage of the many useful resources that Michael provided or directed us to this evening.  In addition, please review the materials ("Columns" and "Resources") linked to Stephen Wilbers' site on Grant proposal writing.
--SAMPLE TOPIC PROPOSAL MEMO.  In addition to locating writing problems, we found many flaws in the overall plan of the sample topic proposal that we reviewed this evening.   Underlying many of these flaws was the students' failure to conduct any significant preliminary research before submitting their group memo and a failure to follow project guidelines.  Over the next week, I'll be in touch with each of you regarding your topic proposals.
--SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE.  Be prepared to critique a survey or questionnaire as we did this evening in class.  Be guided by the principles discussed in class. 
--OVERVIEW OF REPORTS/PROPOSALS (including types of reports, parts of reports, and key terms associated with reports).  Use the outline distributed in class as a study guide, and be sure to let me know if you have any questions about the assigned chapters and auxiliary materials regarding reports and proposals.
--RESUMES.  Remember that I'll be happy to review--and provide feedback on--your revised resumes at any point over the next few weeks.  I'll be collecting (and grading) the most recent versions of your resumes at the end of term.
--CONGRATULATIONS to Pam--and we hope that you and child are doing well.
_________

NOTES ARCHIVE C: previews and postscripts from February 22 to March 22, 2007
NOTES ARCHIVE B: previews and postscripts from February 1 to February 22, 2007
NOTES ARCHIVE A: previews and postscripts from January 11 to February 1, 2007.

23 April 2007