Technical Description Project Project 2

Overview Write a technical description of a process related to e-waste streams for a lay audience – Work solo or with partner(s) – Deliverables: 1.A well-designed document that integrates text and graphics appropriate for your target audience, purpose, and context 2.Optional: Project Assessment memo – Final document due Sunday, Nov. 6

Requirements Explain a process related to e-waste streams for a lay reader – Incorporate 1 extended definition and other definitions as needed – Target audience: Other college students – Finished product should be appropriate in content, tone, level of detail for a site like How Stuff WorksHow Stuff Works

Your goal as a writer Go beyond a superficial understanding of how these electronics are disposed of (i.e. take the TV to the dump and walk away) to a deeper understanding of the stages of the recycling process. How can trained experts using specialized equipment under controlled circumstances make a dent in the e-waste stream?

Topic Requirements Topic must… 1.connect clearly to class focus on e-waste 2.cover a sufficiently technical process (as opposed to an object or mechanism) 3.meet the instructor’s approval

Sample topics How are mobile phones recycled? How are computers recycled? How are printers recycled? How are video game systems recycled? How are televisions recycled?

Ways to go astray Main focus is not on a technical process Focus is on instructions instead of description Definitions are circular, unclear, not user- oriented Plagiarism

Schedule Week 1 – (already over, background prep) Week 2 – choose topic, do research Week 3 – Draft definitions, descriptions, plan visuals Week 4 – Editing and revision Final documents due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday of Week 4, Nov. 6, 2011.

Today Working in teams, complete the In-Class Activity: Marketing a USB Drive (download instructions from the wiki or from Assignments in MTCL) – Required – Descriptions for the first two audiences (students in a computer programming class vs. new students at orientation) – If time permits do the press release as well.