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Objectives of Writing for the Electronic Medium

Computers have become the tools of choice for composition, and networks have become the medium of choice for publication. Students will learn the effects of the following contexts on writing: real time, synchronous communication (chat software); anytime, asynchronous communication (email, discussion lists, blogs); and various web publications. Emphasis will be on reader awareness in evaluating the credibility of material in the online environment, and on ethical issues.

I assume that you already understand the following from previous communication skills and technical communication courses you have taken:

• the process of writing
• the ways to determine your purpose for writing
• the impact your reader can have on your writing and how to adjust your writing to meet your reader's needs
• the uses of the outline and the use of other tools to shape and organize your thoughts and your writing
• effective use of format and design for print documents
• how to send and receive email attachments
• how to navigate the web

The course will give you practice with those skills needed to successfully work and write in an online environment and is useful for any career. Completion of this course means you will:

• Analyze the key issues concerning internet ethics.
• Analyze the communication medium's affect on text construction.
• Design electronic text that meets content, purpose, and readership needs.
• Construct efficient maps for online text.
• Construct efficient file structure for online documents.
• Demonstrate proper netiquette.
• Evaluate the interaction between online communities and text construction for those communities.
• Evaluate the functions of specific types of webpages in relationship to an entire website.
• Design electronic text and webpages that include the standard textual components needed on webpages.
• Create web text that meets accessibility needs of those with physical disabilities.
• Write electronic documents that reflect the constraints and utilize the advantages of a variety of electronic media.
• Utilize graphic design to enhance text in online environments.