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(Return to the English 2311 Syllabus)
 
 

Exercise 1:
Punctuation of Technical Writing

 Instructions
Correct the punctuation errors and other sentence construction mistakes.  Watch particularly for comma splices, fragments, and run-on sentences through sentence combining if possible.

1. We have examined your bubble-jet printer and repairs will cost $148.00 plus tax shall we go ahead?
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2. The hard disk crashed at 4:15 p.m. Before I had time to copy today’s work onto a safety disk.
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3. Do you have a Hama A16 Electronic Camera Flash in your department you can recognize it by the words Sorte mit Automatik on the base.
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4. Confirming our telephone conversation of October 17th,  effective October 31st Myra Weiss and Dan Helwig will be reassigned to your Division for six months.
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5. The safety label warned Toxic solution: handle with care!
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6. Progressive corrosion inside the pipes has reduced liquid flow by 21% since 1990. A condition which, if not corrected, could cause system shutdown in less than 12 months.
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7. Work on the Feldstet contract was finished on February 16th.  Three days ahead of the February 19th  scheduled completion date.  A cause for celebration
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8. When the digital exchange was installed at Multiple Industries eight lines were left unused for anticipated staff expansion and also for providing dedicated lines for a planned facsimile transmission network between branches.
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9. The overhead steam pipe ruptured at 10:10 a.m. fortunately the office was empty as everyone had gone down to the cafeteria for coffee break. Although damage was affected to the computer and furniture.
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10. May I have company approval to attend the course “Wireless Communication” to be held at Oklahoma State University between May 16-20.  Also, as attendance is limited, may I have a reply by April 28.
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11. At the April 15th meeting.  The Executive Committee approved your April 10th request to attend the May course on “Wireless Communication.”  Francine Williams who attended the same course in January was particularly helpful in recommending that you attend.
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12. Before submitting purchase requests for new or replacement equipment, ensure that you complete all manufacturer details, and attach price quotations,
•    quote appropriate specifications, 
•    list an alternative supplier, 
and secure the divisional manager’s approval

Learning Objectives Addressed in These Exercises
1) Improve your written communication so that you can be understood by your fellow co-workers and management.

2) Recognize that communication exists between the technical specialist and the writing specialist within the Firm and the working world.

3) Find that aiming your technical writing at an uninformed reader (any individual who is not as knowledgeable about your topic as you are) increases your awareness of the need of all communication to be presented clearly.

5) Demonstrate the principles and practice of the kind of writing required for your technical and professional work.

7) Demonstrate the mechanics of style and manner that you will need for your technical report writing and professional report writing.

Submission of the Paper
Using your first initial and last name, name and save your file exactly like this:

JDoe-Ex1

E-mail your essay as an attachment to Dr. Grimes at geoffrey.grimes@navarrocollege.edu.

How to Send  Emails to me
When sending emails, always include the following information in your message window (the space where you write your comments):

1) Your first and last name (ex. Geoffrey Grimes)
2) Your course name, course number, course section number (ENGL 2311:NTM)
3) The date
4) The file name of the exercise you are attaching

Example:
John Doe
Engl 2311:NTM
May 20, 2004
JDoe-Ex1

Sending Assignments to me
When sending me your exercises, place the following information in the subject line:
Your first initial/last name-file name of the exercise

Example: JDoe-Ex1

Sending  Questions to me

When sending me a question about your work or the course,  place the following information in the subject line:
Your first initial/last name-Question

Example: JDoe-Question

Do NOT attach any exercise to a question.  I will delete it and ask you to resend it to me.

Sending Comments to me
When sending me a comment about your work or the course, place the following information in the subject line:
Your first initial/last name-Comment

Example: JDoe-Comment

Do NOT attach any exercise to a question.  I will delete it and ask you to resend it to me.

Sending Urgent Messages to me

When sending an urgent message to me about your work or the course, place the following information in the subject line:
Your first initial/last name-Urgent

Example: JDoe-Urgent 

Do NOT attach any exercise to a question.  I will delete it and ask you to resend it to me.

Evaluation
Your compositions will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
1) Clear demonstration of the concepts of pattern of writing or the purpose of the composition
2) Demonstrated mastery of the conventions of standard written American English
3) Timely submission

Revisions
As with all papers in our class, you may revise this paper according to suggestions from your instructor.

This page was last modified on November 20, 2005,
and is maintained by Dr. Geoffrey A. Grimes.
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