Mechanism Description: Stopwatch
By Bev Paulick
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a stopwatch.
Summary Writing (Screencast)
By David Wehmeyer
In this screencast, students demonstrate an understanding of summary writing by reading step-by-step instructions and then summarizing short paragraphs. Examples of summaries that are poorly written, as well as those that are written well, are included.
Plagiarism
Students read an explanation of plagiarism. They then read examples of student papers and decide if an original work was plagiarized.
Matching In-Text Documentation to a Works Cited Page
In this learning activity you'll identify correctly formatted MLA citations.
Mechanism / Ballpoint Pen
By Terri Langan
In this learning activity you can practice writing a technical descriptions of a pen.
Investigation Report Writing
In this learning activity you'll read a police investigation report and click on correct report entries in parentheses.
Mechanism Description: Can Opener
In this learning activity you'll write a description of a can opener.
Evaluating Sources for the Technical Research Report
Students view information taken from various sources and decide if the material is acceptable for a technical research report. After choosing whether or not the source material is acceptable, the students read an explanation from the instructor.
Organizing Sentences for a News Release
By Ann Del Ponte
In this learning activity you'll rewrite a news article into a news release.
Creating Appropriate Graphics - Memo or Fax
In this learning activity you'll interpret phone messages to create a fax or a memo.
Document Design
Students read guidelines for document design, format, and layout. They then type sentences into a textbox and use the techniques discussed to produce a well-designed document.
Overview: Writing Clear "How To" Instructions
By Sandy Eyler
In this learning activity you'll apply directions to follow when writing clear "how-to" instructions.
Understanding Your Audience
You'll identify the main characteristics of various audiences when writing a technical document.
Using Imperatives (Commands)
In this learning object you'll convert descriptive phrases into imperative sentences.
The Rejection Letter
In this learning activity you'll practice formatting a rejection letter by arranging customer service content.
Mechanism Description: Staple Remover
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a staple remover.
Mechanism Description: Tape Dispenser
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a tape dispenser.
Documenting Sources Using MLA Format
In this exercise, students read a list of sources used in a research report. They follow MLA guidelines to write parenthetical references and to compile a Works Cited page.
Mini-Lecture: Composing
In this learning activity you'll review the basic three step writing process used by many writers.
Feasibility Topic Determination
In this learning activity you'll determine appropriate feasibility studies from a list of selected topics.
Generating a Questionnaire
Students read an explanation of the use of questionnaires in research. Open-ended and closed-ended questions are defined. Students complete the activity by generating a questionnaire.
Mechanism Description: Electric Pencil Sharpener
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of an electric pencil sharpener.
Mechanism Description: Vegetable Peeler
In this learning activity you'll write a description of a vegetable peeler and submits it to the instructor.
Audience Characteristics Chart
In this learning object you'll review information for layman, executive, expert, technician and operator audiences for writing technical publications.
Mechanism Description: Padlock
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a padlock.