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| E103 Project 4: Process Analysis (Including Graphic) Project (25 pts.) |
| Project Overview/Description
Project 4 is an explanation and analysis of a typical technical or functional process. Your analysis will be supported by a simple graphic, such as a flow chart, graph, or the like. Keep in mind that you are explaining a process, not given specific instructions for completing a task. For instance, while one could explain the process of an automobile engine starting--which would include completing an electrical circuit from ignition module to battery to starter, injecting gasoline into a cylinder, adding oxygen to the mixture, firing a spark plug, and so on--that process analysis is different from instructing a new driver how to start a car, which would primarily involve putting the ignition key in the ignition switch and turning the key. The former is an analysis of a process; the latter is a set of instructions. To create the simple graphic to support your description, you can use any of a variety of drawing or modeling applications, the most common of which would be the Windows-based applications such as Microsoft Paint, or the drawing tools in Micosoft Word or PowerPoint, or the organizational chart builder in Microsoft PowerPoint. The application you use does not matter; you could even hand draw the graphic and scan it. (That would seem to be the most labor-intensive route, though. I would encourage you to experiment with the drawing tools on your computer.) Also, some of your classmates have experience with creating simple graphics, so you could ask for help. You all have the class e-mail list, so feel free to send out a generally query to the class. The important point about including a graphic in your process description, though, is not to learn how to create a computer-based graphic, although that is a benefit of the task. Instead, the objective is to determine what kind of graphic would support your process description, how to refer to that graphic in your description, and where in the document to place your description. This project might require some research, depending on your topic. Indeed, you might even find a simple graphic for your project on the web. If you engage in this sort of research, remember two things: First, make sure that the research, including any visuals you might collect, is pertinent to your purpose and your audience. Second, be sure to credit that research, including the source of the graphic, at the end of your document. Refer to 610-20 of Technical Communication for more information, including typical citation formats. Use MLA format (pp. 610-20); that is one with which most of you probably are familiar. Project Due Dates
Project Format/Length Memo
Visuals Simple graphic illustrating the process |
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