An "Introduction to Writing Studies" Screen

English majors are usually "good writers" in the sense that they make relatively few surface errors, and they usually enjoy writing and can produce text. But they are also notorious for writing long sentences and paragraphs, using big words that nobody else uses, and because the MLA style guide asks for double-spaced essays, English majors don't often know a lot about document design. I've put together a small collection of links that will introduce you to the world of professional writing.

Preparing Reports, Instruction Manuals, and Brochures
This guide is really comprehensive, be sure to check out the links to "style-o-rama" and "design-o-rama" as well.

Online Technical Writing Textbook
I would describe what you are doing as "professional writing," rather than technical writing, but this online textbook is pretty good, and the points are relevant.

Technical Writing: A Short Course on Writing Technical Reports
This clear, concise, well-illustrated web site also claims "techincal writing" as its domain, but the advice is really good. Might be better than the online technical writing textbook above--let me know what you think. A feasibility report is a kind of "technical" report. Web site by Nancy Halligan.

Kenneth Verhulst, a teacher in Michigan, put this PowerPoint presenation online. His assignment is less ambitious than ours, and his outline is a little simplistic, but his advice is solid.

Project Management Links

The real trick to collaborative projects is not writing something well; most groups struggle with project management, collaboration, or in really plain language, they just have trouble working together. You might want to work from the bottom link up in order to get some tips on working together--the first two links might be overwhelming.

The Treasury Board of Canada has an extensive Project Management Guide online. While providing more information than we need, it does contain a good visual guide to Project Management, and it breaks down a variety of roles that are typical in PM.

The Project Management Institute is a clearninghouse of information for Project Management professionals. Take a look around if PM interests you as a professional goal.

Cybergrrl's web designer provides some very straight-forward, easy to read tips for Project Management.

Michael Greer offers a corporate take on Project Management, but he has some great tips. Lots of additional, relevant information on this website.