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Calendar

LEC # TOPICS READINGS ASSIGNMENTS
1 Introduction to the course
2 Argumentation: A claim supported by reasons

Weston, Anthony. Chap. I-V in  A Rulebook for Arguments. 3rd ed. Indianapolis, IN and Cambridge, MA:  Hackett, 2000.

Kaye, Sanford. Chap. 1-5 in Writing Under Pressure: The Quick Writing Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

Lunsford. Chap. 1 in EasyWriter, A Writer's Choices.

McElroy. "Words That Work: How City Planners Can Write More Clearly." PAS Memo, (April 1988): 1-4.

3 Writing in professional settings

Weston, Anthony. Chap. VII–IX in  A Rulebook for Arguments. 3rd  ed. Indianapolis, IN and Cambridge, MA:  Hackett, 2000. 

Kaye, Sanford. Chap. 6–8 in Writing Under Pressure:The Quick Writing Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

Jones and Solnit. “Basic Working Skills,” Chap. 3 in What Do I Do Next? A Manual for People Just Entering Government Service. pp. 27–44.

Morrison. “Some Guidelines to Successful Writing in Professional Settings."

Morrison, “Style."

A recommendation memo (~750 words).
4 Public persuasion Donahue, and Gomez–Ibañez. “Boston’s Taxicab Problems, 1970.” John F. Kennedy School of Government, Case No. C15-82-478.0.
5 Research writing

Kaye, Sanford. Chap. 11-12 in Writing Under Pressure:The Quick Writing Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989. 

Morrison. “Writing a Research Proposal."

Boston taxicab memo (500-750 words).
6 Research in the public interest I Legacy of Lead: America's Continuing Epidemic of Childhood Lead Poisoning. Environmental Defense Fund.
7 Research in the public interest II

Shell. “An Element of Doubt.” The Atlantic Monthly 267 (6), (December 1995): 24–39.

Kruskal, William. “Formulas, Number, Words: Statistics in Prose.” The American Scholar 47 (2), (Spring 1978): 223–9.

Analysis of Legacy of Lead.
8 Communicating with the public

O’Donnell, Wendy. “Cancer and Environmental Hazards in Woburn, MA (A).” John F. Kennedy School of Government, case no. C16-86-659.0.

O’Donnell, Wendy. “Cancer and Environmental Hazards in Woburn, MA (B).” John F. Kennedy School of Government, case no. C16-86-660.0.

Morrison. “Writing Executive Summaries."

Tufte. Visual and Statistical Thinking.

9 Organizational writing revisited Kaye, Sanford. Chap. 13–15 in Writing Under Pressure:The Quick Writing Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989. Woburn press statement (500-750 words).
10 Communicating public policies Husock. “Please Be Patient.” The Seattle Solid Waste Utility Meets the Press. John F. Kennedy School of Government, Case No. C16-91-1058.0. selected op-ed pieces (handouts).
11 Reading and writing planning reports I Richardson. Writing a Planning Report. Seattle op-ed piece (500-750 words).
12 Reading and writing planning reports II

Dymsza, Richard B. “Say It in English.” Planning. August 1981: 23–6.

Orlick, Steven C. “Clarity, Care, Competence.” Practicing Planner. December 1978: 6-8, 14.

Luedtke, Gerald. “Why Should Master Plans Make Dull Reading?” Practicing Planner. March 1978: 17–8.

South Boston Seaport Master Plan Interim Report. Boston Redevelopment Authority.

13 Making oral presentations Morrison. "Presenting Your Research Orally." South Boston Seaport plan critique.
14 Oral presentations
15 Oral presentations