I always get the error

AN UNEXPECTED SYSTEM HAS OCCURED

 Thanks, Laura

I was thinking about writing instructions on “how to change a cloth diaper on a baby”, any opinions or suggestions? it will be very much appreciated.

Thank you,

Elva

A. The reason I choose Southwest Airline is because I am from Phoenix and fly to Phoenix all the time.

Weakness: The web page is a little confusing especially when trying to purchase a rental car and other amenities on your flight page. Also to figure out your rapid rewards is also another challenge on this website.

Strengths: You can purchase a flight, check status of existing flight and look for current flight
deals.

B. The next website I choose is Copperstate. Copperstate is a nut and bolt manufacturing and is locating in Phoenix. The reason I chose this site is because my fiancée works for the company.

Weakness: The major weakness in the website is the pictures of the products they sell is just an overview you need to go to the current store or contact them. Nothing can be bought via the web.

Strengths: The strengths of this website it has a catchy first page and is very easy to follow. Not so much information as you get lost on.

C. The third website I chose is The Wedding Channel. This website has a lot of meaning to me because I am getting married in May and having been using it greatly.

Strengths: This website has a vast number of resources someone can use for planning their wedding. It includes everything from registration, budget, and vendor to where to go on your honeymoon. Really this could be the only website you need.

Weakness: The major weakness I find in this website is that there is too much information. Someone viewing this website can feel very overwhelmed because there is so much going on.

2. The best website for the Usability Project is the CopperState website. I feel that it meets all the criteria for client usability project and is the most authentic. It has also a bonus feature of someone I know that works there and also is a great website that is easy to navigate through.

I appreciate the concerns with academic integrity. However, many kinds of documents produced for internal use in an organization rely on the organization itself as the authority, and do not include citations or bibliographies. For class purposes, can we supply our authorities in an attached sheet, or are you saying they should be incorporated into the project document?

-Michael

Thanks, Laura

• Exercise 2 Due

  var theMenu = []; new MenuItemInfo(“Preview”,”images/small_preview.gif”,”",”",”Link opens in a new window”,”"); theMenu[0] = new MenuItem(“Preview”,”javascript:openBox(‘/webct/viewAssignedProject.dowebct?projectId=490784701061′,’Preview’,600,400)”); theMenuDefs["contextMenu397211"] = theMenu;

  11:59 PM

• Quiz 2 due

  var theMenu = []; theMenu[0] = new MenuItem(“Preview”,”javascript:openBox(‘displayAssessmentIntro.dowebct?toc=true&viewType=Edit&assessment=490813563061′,’Preview’,600,400)”); theMenuDefs["contextMenu397212"] = theMenu;

  11:59 PM

• Complete tutorial: Evaluating sources

  11:59 PM

• Discussion Question 2 due

  11:59 PM

Some quick review

One of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re doing the Description project is that you’re not telling someone how to do something (you’ll do that in the Instructions Project coming up next); you’re explaining how something happens over time. For this project, you need to choose a process, i.e. an activity that occurs over time. See page 187 of the text if you’re unsure about whether you’ve selected a process, a mechanism, or an object. 

Also remember, your readers want to understand the process. They do not need directions that will help them perform the process. In addition, you’re explaining a process that is related to your field, but you’re explaining it for lay readers who aren’t familiar with your field. That means you should choose a topic you understand well enough that you feel like you can explain it to your mom, or your brother-in-law, or someone else who isn’t at all familiar with the concept.

Descriptions vs. Instructions 

You can see the difference between the descriptions and instructions here:

• Process description of drycleaning vs. instructions for dry cleaning something yourself
• Process description of how beer is made vs. instructions for teaching your dog to get a beer
• Other process examples: How Air Traffic Control Works; How In Vitro Fertilization Works

 Key info in text

Pay careful attention to the “Analyzing the Writing Situation” portion of Chapter 9 and to the “Process” portion of the Writer’s Checklist at the end of the chapter. Your description must:

1. Clearly indicate the scope and nature of the description
2. Introduce the description clearly
3. Provide appropriate detail (think about what your readers need to know, what they already know, what they want to know — this will have an effect on how many and where your descriptions go, how much and what type of overview and background information you include, what kind of visuals are necessary, etc.)
4. Conclude the description.

Defining audience, purpose, limiting your scope

Remember that we’ve left the context for this assignment kind of open. I haven’t specified an audience other than a “lay audience” and I haven’t specified the purpose of your description. As the textbook notes, these sorts of descriptions most often appear inside larger documents. It will help you enormously (and give you smart stuff to talk about in the Project Analysis Memo you do at the end of the project) if you specify for yourself how and where your description might eventually be used and who your readers will be. These things are completely open and your call. Topics are completely open and your call.

I’d encourage you to shoot for a topic you think you can explain adequately in 4-5 pages including some visuals and page design/formatting.

I’d also encourage you to ask lots of questions and brainstorm your ideas here. I’m happy to give you feedback and suggestions on any ideas you might be kicking around. And since we have lots of people in here from similar majors, you all might be able to give each other excellent feedback, too.