Difference between revisions of "Assignment 2"

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Below you will find real examples of what previous students have submitted, complete with comments from the marker.  Learn from their successes and avoid their follies.<br>
 
Below you will find real examples of what previous students have submitted, complete with comments from the marker.  Learn from their successes and avoid their follies.<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
[http://courses.cs.umanitoba.ca/Documents/70197/3040_A2_1.pdf Example Assignment 1] <br>
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[http://courses.cs.umanitoba.ca/Documents/70709/a2_1b.pdf Example Assignment 1] <br>
 
The first example is an excellent illustration of a well organized document and the consequences of neglecting thorough [[Editing_and_Revising| editing]].<br>
 
The first example is an excellent illustration of a well organized document and the consequences of neglecting thorough [[Editing_and_Revising| editing]].<br>
 
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===Purpose===
 
===Purpose===
- Clearly state the purpose at the beginning of the article.<br>
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*Clearly state the purpose at the beginning of the article.<br>
- Ensure you fairly represent the topic.<br>
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*Ensure you fairly represent the topic.<br>
  
 
===Audience===
 
===Audience===
- Avoid terms or ideas that some people in your audience may not be familiar with.<br>
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*Avoid terms or ideas that some people in your audience may not be familiar with.<br>
- Be mindful of how the audience could interpret what you write.<br>
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*Be mindful of how the audience could interpret what you write.<br>
  
 
===Style===
 
===Style===
- Use the ABC format at all levels.<br>
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*Use the ABC format at all levels.<br>
- Don't be too wordy. Simple is better.<br>
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*Don't be too wordy. Simple is better.<br>
- Avoid ambiguous word choices.<br>
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*Avoid ambiguous word choices.<br>
- Use transition sentences.<br>
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*Use transition sentences.<br>
 
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<br>
  

Latest revision as of 03:46, 19 April 2008

COMP3040 > Assignments > Assignment 2: Email & Report


Introduction

After learning from your mistakes on the first assignment, you've wisely started this second assignment early. This assignment promises to be much more challenging. You need to summarize a scholarly article and briefly explain to your boss, and probably yourself, what a "Semantic Web" is. That extra time is going to come in handy. This assignment will be more challenging because you will be writing about a subject that you probably are not already comfortable with.

6 steps lie between you and freedom:

  1. Find the article and read it.
  2. Figure out why you are writing each document and complete the planning forms.
  3. Determine what kind of language is suitable for your boss.
  4. Brainstorm ideas and compose an outline for each document.
  5. Write a first draft for each document.
  6. Revise each draft until you think they are perfect.

You will probably want to do more research on the topic. If you are not comfortable will a subject, how can you expect to explain it to someone else? After peer editing you will integrate any suggestions and ideas you have gained into a polished final copy.






...by students

Below you will find real examples of what previous students have submitted, complete with comments from the marker. Learn from their successes and avoid their follies.

Example Assignment 1
The first example is an excellent illustration of a well organized document and the consequences of neglecting thorough editing.

Example Assignment 2
The second example is another strong submission. It contains some very good definitions. Again, it could have been improved with more thorough editing. Noticing a trend yet?


Avoid Common Pitfalls

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Many students have tackled this assignment before you. Don't make the same mistakes they did.

Purpose

  • Clearly state the purpose at the beginning of the article.
  • Ensure you fairly represent the topic.

Audience

  • Avoid terms or ideas that some people in your audience may not be familiar with.
  • Be mindful of how the audience could interpret what you write.

Style

  • Use the ABC format at all levels.
  • Don't be too wordy. Simple is better.
  • Avoid ambiguous word choices.
  • Use transition sentences.


Key Applied Topics

  1. E-mail
  2. Reports
  3. Definitions and Descriptions
  4. ABC Approach
  5. Purpose
  6. Audience
  7. Ideas and Outlining
  8. Organizing and Writing the First Draft
  9. Editing and Revising