Assignment: Prepare one document containing a set of instructions, a technical description, and definitions about a technical topic. The instructions should describe how to perform an activity related to the technical topic. The technical description should detail a process, object, or mechanism involved in the instructions. The definitions should be included as needed in the instructions. For example, if you are writing instructions to tell users how to work with a web browser, you could also describe the process of how the browser retrieves the information from the web site and provide definitions of unfamiliar terms.
The instructions should describe how to perform a complete activity with several major steps, as well as minor steps. Remember to include, as appropriate, the various types of information for instructions, such as cautions and warnings. Apply some of the design elements discussed in Unit 7, "Designing Documents and Using Graphics" of the course guide to the design of your instructions.
The technical description should present the process, object or mechanism logically and understandably. Your readers should be able to grasp the overall structure, steps, or sequence of events of the process, object, or mechanism from your description.
NOTE: The basic purpose of the assignment is to give instructions. Do not write a paper that is devoted entirely to explaining how something works.
Assignment length: Total length of 3 single-spaced pages, with the instructions a minimum of 2 single-spaced pages, double-spaced between paragraphs and the technical description a minimum of one-half single-spaced page, double-spaced between paragraphs. The definitions are incorporated into the text of the technical description and instructions.
Format: Submit Assignment 5 in a Microsoft Word or RTF format. If you have Adobe Acrobat, you can submit the assignment as a .pdf file. You can also submit the assignment as an .html file if you can submit it without losing the intended formatting of the document.
Submission: Post to the Submit Assignments area of the WebTycho menu as a file.
Three students from previous semesters have given me their permission to post their writing for this assignment. The assignments are posted as .pdf files so you will need a plugin Acrobat reader to view the files.