This course introduces students to the basic principles and procedures of technical writing in what is popularly known as the “information” or “communications age.” It teaches students to focus on the audience’s need for useful information and not the writer’s own need for creative self-expression. Students will learn to create useful workplace communications (including instructions, proposals, reports, online documents, microblog posts, wikis, and product/service information) for both print and web-based mediums. While the focus is on writing, the development of critical thinking skills is heavily emphasized and forms an important component of the course. Using an audience-centered approach, students will learn the difference between readers and users, and how that affects the technical writer’s approach to researching and presenting information. Prerequisite: ENGL110XM or ENGL110M. (Fulfills English or Humanities requirement.)