Technical Communication (Engl. 352) Course Criteria for Assessment

In the spring of every year, we assess a random sampling of online portfolios created in English 352, Technical Writing. Below are the criteria for assessment - they are rated on a scale from six to one, as seen in the holistic "Overall Portfolio Score" below. The data from the assessment is then used to see whether we are meeting our goals and also to look for statistical patterns. Educators are free to use these criteria (and modifications thereof) for their own assessments. For a Word score sheet click here.

It is our theory that, in a digital and multicultural world, traditional forms of communication should be augmented with visual, verbal and hypertext elements. Communication is a connection between people, a sharing of knowledge that occurs across boundaries of culture, language and space. To make this connection, we need to use all of the tools that we have - writing, graphics, oral presentations, and audience awareness (i.e., can the reader find the text?). These skills require complex formatting of documents, creation of visual narratives, personal verbal presentations and a basic facility with internet communication.