TO:                   ENC2210 sections 1755 and 1757
FROM:             Zach Whalen, Instructor
DATE:              24 October 2002
SUBJECT:        Group project information
 

This is to provide you with some important information regarding the next few assignments.  As these assignments will work in a tight sequence, hold onto this memo.  In this memo I will provide you with a brief description of each major assignment and a full description of each minor assignment.  Following this will be a summary of the schedule, and finally I will summarize the grading process.  This information will also be available on the website in a slightly different format.

Major Assignments
These assignments form the backbone of the project, there will be more information to accompany each individual assignment as the time approaches..  They also carry the bulk of your grade as reflected in the grading distribution found in the syllabus.

• Proposal
• Instructions
• User Test Report
 

Proposal
This assignment is the first of three related, collaborative assignments. You will work in a group of three or four to propose an approach to the next assignment. Your group will identify a problem--in this case a task (from your job, course work, daily life)that requires instructions or needs better instructions--and then propose a solution--in this case a set of print or online instructions that would make the task easier and safer to perform. Your proposal of 3-5 pages will also involve explaining how the problem and solution fit the requirements of the instructions assignment and explaining (in a management section) how your group will actually produce the solution.

This assignment will, of course, expose you more thoroughly to the genre of the proposal. In addition to learning proposal superstructures and conventions, we'll work on creating a more cohesive, coherent arrangement and style. We'll also continue working with visual aids, including an organizational chart and timeline.
 

Instructions
Now your group will actually carry out what you proposed in the last assignment (provided I
approved your proposal). The instructions will be around 5-8 pages long and include visuals
including figures showing the task being performed. Your audience should have little to no
experience performing the task. Our invention for the instructions will include a task analysis for the step-by-step section. As with the job application package, we'll emphasize document design,
including the integration of visuals; to that end the invention process will also include designing
thumbnail sketches and document grids. In terms of style, our focus will once again be on clarity of action.
 

User Test Report
Your final major assignment is a follow-up to the instructions and introduces you to an increasingly important component of the document production process--usability testing.
Working as a team of document design consultants, your group will administer and report on a usability test of another group's instructions. After learning about strategies for user testing, your group will design a user-testing guide and then test another group's instructions on a small number of prospective users.  After conducting the tests and gathering as much feedback as possible, your group will write a 3-5 page empirical research report to the other group that describes the test's objectives and methods, summarizes your findings, and outlines recommendations for improving their instructions. You'll also need to attach your testing guide as an appendix.

At the end of the semester, each group will have the opportunity to revise their instructions based on the user test report they receive. The original and revised grades will then be averaged for a new grade.
 

Minor Assignments
These assignments will be part of the same process, but will be graded as “quiz” or participation grades (10 pts).  These include:

• Introduction memo (prospectus)
• Progress Reports
• Group evaluations
 

Introduction memo (prospectus) (1-2 pages)
This will be the very first assignment you work on as a group.  The memo should accomplish several purposes.  It will allow you to become familiar with working together.  Your meeting will allow you to test out a meeting space.  The content of the memo will provide you with direction and an agenda for completing the proposal.

Your memo will tell me the following:

             • Group name
             • Group member’s names, email addresses and phone numbers
             • Projected idea (what problem you hope to solve)
             • Schedule of meeting times and locations
             • Agenda (or list of goals) for each meeting time
             • General breakdown of responsibilities (who’s doing what, if you know)

This memo will be due on Wednesday, October 30.
 

Progress Reports (1-2 pages)
Your group will turn in progress reports periodically (see schedule).  This report will briefly let me know how things are going.  You may use the guidelines for progress reports given in Markel, but they should include the following basic information:

             • How much of the work is complete
             • What work remains to be done
             • What problems or unexpected things, if any, have arisen
             • How the project is going in general

These reports will be very important in letting me provide input and assistance.
 

Evaluations (1 page)
You will each turn in evaluations when the major group project is due.  These will be your opportunity to evaluate and comment on the group as a whole as well as your group members and yourself.  The evaluations will include:

 • A short narrative describing how your group worked together
 • A grade for each of your group’s members followed by a brief explanation if necessary
 • A grade for yourself followed by a brief explanation if necessary

On the day a major assignment (proposal, instructions, user test) is due, you will turn in your evaluations.  Fold them horizontally and place them in the designated location as you enter class.  This is to preserve your privacy.  Please note, however, that I may share your comments with someone in the group (e.g. “your group said you never showed up at meetings”).
 

Schedule
The following schedule of due dates matches the schedule in the syllabus.  I will inform of any changes well in advance.

October 25                     Group assignments
28
30                                   Introduction memo (prospectus) due
November 1
4                                     Progress report due
6                                     Proposal due
8
11                                   No class meeting
13
15
18                                   Progress report due
20
22
25                                  Writing workshop for instructions
27                                   Instructions due
29                                  No class (Thanksgiving)
December 2
4
6                                     Progress report due
9                                     User test reports due
11                                   Revision of instructions due
 
 

Grading
After each major assignment, you will receive an individual grade summary from me.  This will tell you the following:

             • Group’s grade on the major assignment
             • Your individual grade on the major assignment
             • Group’s grade on relative minor assignments

Your individual grade will be based on the group’s grade, but may be adjusted according to the evaluation reports–including your own.  The individual grade will be the one that counts (goes in the grade book).

For minor assignments, I will simply record the group’s grade for each of you.