Technical Writing

Each student must complete at least 33 hours, as outlined below. Near the end of the degree program, each student will write a comprehensive examination and enroll in ENC 6971 or ENC 6918 (3 hours), completing a formal thesis or project approved by the faculty.

1. Required Courses — 15 Hours
   • ENC 5214 Production and Publication Methods (3 hours)
     Theory and practice of production and publication methods for technical writers.
   • ENC 5337 Modern Rhetorical Theory (3 hours) (sample syllabus)
     Study of history and practice of rhetorical theory with special attention to the rhetor-audience relationship.
   • ENC 6217 Technical Editing (3 hours)
     Study of language, style, mechanics, graphics, and management necessary for technical editing.
   • ENC 6261 Technical Writing: Theory and Practice (3 hours) (sample syllabus)
     Study of major trends in technical communication theory and the practices this theory generates.
   • ENG 5009 Methods of Bibliography and Research (3 hours)
     Bibliographical, qualitative, and other systematic approaches to research in language and literature at the graduate level.
   *May be waived if the student has completed a course in linguistics at the 4000 level or above with a grade of A or B.
2. Restricted Electives — 9 Hours
   • ENC 5219 Graphics in Technical Writing (3 hours)
   • ENC 5306 Persuasive Writing (3 hours)
   • ENC 5344 Proposal Writing (3 hours)
   • ENC 6244 Teaching Technical Writing (3 hours)
   • ENC 6292 Project Management for Technical Writers (3 hours)
   • ENC 6296 Computer Documentation (3 hours)
3. Advised Electives — 9 Hours
   With the assistance of an advisor, students will select two courses outside of the English Department or other graduate-level courses.
4. Comprehensive Examination
5. Specialization Option (Choose A or B) — 3 Hours
   
   1. Thesis Option
      While enrolled in ENC 6971, Thesis, the candidate will complete a formal thesis selected in consultation with an advisory committee and will meet both departmental and university requirements for the thesis.
   2. Special Project
      While enrolled in ENC 6918, Directed Research, the student will complete a research project approved by an advisory committee. This project will be on a topic in technical communication and in a format other than that of a traditional thesis.

For current program requirements please see the Graduate Catalog