Sample papers from students:
Sample Final Papers:
Here are some sample papers. They are outstanding in their own ways. Though these papers may not be perfect, each one is thoughtful, interesting, professional, well organized, and well written. These papers captured my attention and didn't let go.
Here are some sample papers. They are outstanding in their own ways. Though these papers may not be perfect, each one is thoughtful, interesting, professional, well organized, and well written. These papers captured my attention and didn't let go.
techwritingfinalpaper--peterson.pdf | |
File Size: | 1541 kb |
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final_paper--ahlfield.pdf | |
File Size: | 360 kb |
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troche_sd.pdf | |
File Size: | 622 kb |
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buckner_sd.pdf | |
File Size: | 531 kb |
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final_research--mervis.pdf | |
File Size: | 345 kb |
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sample_final_paper--gordon.doc | |
File Size: | 574 kb |
File Type: | doc |
sample_final_paper--zheng.pdf | |
File Size: | 1869 kb |
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sample_final_project--stigile.doc | |
File Size: | 700 kb |
File Type: | doc |
final_paper_pdf--fernando.pdf | |
File Size: | 591 kb |
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Short proposals:
Here are just a few examples that may help as you write your proposal for your final research project.
proposal_letter--chu.pdf | |
File Size: | 46 kb |
File Type: |
proposal_letter.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
User Guides and Process Descriptions:
Here are just a few examples that may help as you write your own user guide or process description. Keep in mind that they're not perfect--you will no doubt find flaws in each one. These students do a great job of explaining their process and steps in logical sequence, as well as demystifying something rather technical for a layperson. Some of these examples have wonderful graphics, as well.
Both examples are user guides, not process descriptions. I'll try to dig up a couple process descriptions, as well. Also, there is one other sample user guide I'll bring to class. It looks like the file size makes it too big to upload on this website, but it's a really cool example!
Here are just a few examples that may help as you write your own user guide or process description. Keep in mind that they're not perfect--you will no doubt find flaws in each one. These students do a great job of explaining their process and steps in logical sequence, as well as demystifying something rather technical for a layperson. Some of these examples have wonderful graphics, as well.
Both examples are user guides, not process descriptions. I'll try to dig up a couple process descriptions, as well. Also, there is one other sample user guide I'll bring to class. It looks like the file size makes it too big to upload on this website, but it's a really cool example!
sample_user_guide--stigile.doc | |
File Size: | 899 kb |
File Type: | doc |
jec_user_guide.pdf | |
File Size: | 770 kb |
File Type: |
Mechanism Descriptions:
Here are just a few examples that may help as you write your own paper. Keep in mind that they're not perfect--you will no doubt find flaws in each one. Still, the thing each one of these does really well is go into great detail. There are also examples of various kinds of graphics. By the time you're done reading each of these, you absolutely understand how it fits together and how it works.
These three are from my former students:
sample_mechanism_description--kraft.pdf | |
File Size: | 135 kb |
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sample_mechanism_description--chen.pdf | |
File Size: | 609 kb |
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sample_mechanism_description--cummings.pdf | |
File Size: | 370 kb |
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This handout has a few sample papers from others' tech writing students and a couple handouts with advice on the mechanism description. The pepper mill and adjustable wrench papers are great! The "Ecko Nee Action Vegetable Peeler" not as great, though it has some strengths... we'll be talking about that one in class. Still, for a sneak peek at it, read through it and see what you think.
mechanism_descriptions.pdf | |
File Size: | 787 kb |
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Audience Awareness Papers:
Here are just a few examples that may help as you write your own paper. Keep in mind that they're not perfect--you will no doubt find flaws in each one, and sometimes you may find that one of the five descriptions that misses the mark. Still, these ought to give you an idea of different ways of approaching the assignment.
This student does a really good job picking out different aspects of her topic for different audiences. It’s also a good example of a topic that’s technical but not engineering-related. I only have two pieces of it, but here they are.
audience_1st_grader--hu--smd.doc | |
File Size: | 216 kb |
File Type: | doc |
audience_expert--hu--smd.doc | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | doc |
This student had a couple of really good ideas for the 1st grader and the expert audiences. He also does a good job explaining his approach to me for each audience.
audience_expert--ball--smd.pdf | |
File Size: | 56 kb |
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audience--ball_1st_grader--smd.pdf | |
File Size: | 4600 kb |
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audience--ball--smd.doc | |
File Size: | 1826 kb |
File Type: | doc |
This student uses formatting in interesting ways for each audience. His is a good example of really adapting the voice for each audience.
audience--jenkins_ceo--smd.pdf | |
File Size: | 1602 kb |
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audience--jenkins--smd.doc | |
File Size: | 1234 kb |
File Type: | doc |