EXTRA CREDIT
EXTRA CREDIT FOR ACCURACY
If the first principle in this technical writing class is utility, the corollary to that is accuracy.
There is one instant way you can earn extra credit. You can catch an error in your course website.
To some extent this course must include the warning—the apology— "Don’t do as I do, do as I say." No matter how I try, I know I have never produced a "perfect" product. Of course that relates to comments on your "Grading" page about how writing is infinitely perfectible.
However, by way of apology, it also has to do with a
long-standing vision impairment I have. I have damage to my eyes which makes it
difficult to proofread, particularly on-screen. Of course, this would obligate
me to either find a way to overcome my physical handicap. I have stated that I
will be unforgiving in my evaluation and grading of your own work if you send it
to me with inaccuracies.
In the instance of these web pages and lessons, however, I am publishing course
material which I sometimes have not even printed out to proofread. As a side
note, I would caution you that composing, revising and presenting work on-screen
simply does not allow the kind of careful editing and proofreading that working
with hard copy, print-outs will allow. Still, knowing this you'd think I would
take the time to print-out each page to edit and proofread my lessons and
website.
I haven't. Thus, don’t do as I do, do as I say. I am telling you not to send me anything that has not been carefully edited, even as I am asking you to become my editor and proofreader. In your case you will get extra credit for any corrections you make.
Click here to 
TAKE
THE PROOFREADER'S CHALLENGE!
EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU ADD TO THE COURSE
by sending materials which can be published as part of the
course.
A class like ENG 121 often draws students who are already expert in a wide variety of areas, students with jobs, hobbies, talents which could be shared as examples and instructional models for us all. If you have written work which is creditable, send it for extra credit. I am interested in seeing any technical writing you have done and I am willing to give you extra credit for it. Better still, if you offer your work for inclusion in the course, it certainly would be to your credit to see it appear as a part of the course.
Please also offer web links, properly credited source materials, advice and assistance of any kind that would further enrich and perfect this on-line course. Your suggestion will be of great use and remember the first rule for technical writing: Utility!