English 230, Technical Writing – Fall Term 2014 v1.1_Oct. 20, 2014
Extra Credit Opportunities to date.
The following Extra Credit Opportunities are derived from dynamic class
discussions. Students are invited to delve further into these topics, and will receive
extra credit for providing short essays expressing their new knowledge,
responses/reactions.
These are NOT required assignments, nor are they substitute assignments. Grades
will be based on work required through the syllabus. Extra Credit assignments
turned in will be considered to augment grades.
These opportunities enable students to further their intellectual development and to
add to their understanding of issues integral to emerging technologies/. In other
cases, students may pursue the opportunity to read exemplary writing on complex
topics related the uses and mis-uses of technologies.
.
1) Visit Central Seattle Public Library – and write your reaction to the building/and
to the experience of finding materials
2) Discover the status of the Edward Snowden/NSA case re: release of
data/revelations of massive collection of data case. Technical and ethical issues
relative to Privacy vs. National Security in the age of super-computers and vast
networks.
3) E.B. White, one of the authors of the Strunk & White Elements of Style
handbook we are using in class, noted “New Yorker” Columnist, and author of
classic children’s books Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little., worked in Seattle, for
the Seattle Times, immediately after graduating from Cornell University.
How/why did E.B. White arrive in Seattle to work for the Seattle Times?
What was his career like at the Seattle Times? What did he write while he
was here?
4) Locate hard copies of the New Yorker in a physical Library and read articles
presented that relate to Technology. What writing styles are used? What topics
are addressed? What does the technology writing you are reviewing say about
this Magazine started in 1925? (As a follow up you may obtain copies of
articles on line; but having the experience of holding the magazine, and using a
library are essential parts of this extra credit! Provide name of library, location of
the periodical.)
5) Attend an event at Town Hall (not City Hall, in response to students’ questions
regarding the location. Although participating in a City Council Meeting or
Fall Semester; Professor Suess
English Department, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Division, North Seattle
College
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English 230, Technical Writing – Fall Term 2014 v1.1_Oct. 20, 2014
interviewing department heads at City Hall to understand “Standard Operating
Procedures” could be a useful experience.)
Town Hall is a venue hosting authors and speakers this October with
observations/insights related to key contemporary issues; many of them,
related to Technology. Admission is often free or minimal.
For example, Helen Caldicott, noted author regarding health effects of
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power. (She is the author of the new book:
Crisis Without End, The Medical and Ecological Conseque3nces of the
Fukushima Nuclear Catastrophe) She spoke at Town Hall the week of
Sept 29th.
Another example, Nicholas Carr’s presentation Monday October 6th, “The
Human Consequences of Technology”.
6) Find out about New Yorker Environmental Writer, Elizabeth Kolbert, and read
her book Field Notes on a Catastrophe (2006) which emerged from a series of
three articles written for the New Yorker. This book provides an excellent source
for learning about writing -- composition/structure and especially for
understanding the power of the concluding paragraph; consider the conclusion of
each section of the book.
7) Find books or New Yorker articles by Seymour Hersh. Review his writing style
and topics as they relate to modern technologies.
8) Read E.B White’s Essay, “Farewell, My Lovely” (aka “Farewell to Model T” and
write a two to three page response. Are there analogies that can be made to skill
sets we need to develop today with modern technologies, specifically computer
technologies? Can you imagine a day when we will wax eloquent about having
to say “good-bye” to some of modern technologies that are falling by the wayside? The essay may be read via this link: http://www.wesjones.com/white1.htm
9) Visit the Cable TV/Video Access Lab at North Seattle College and produce a
short video interview related to your research paper or a “how to” demonstration
related to your Technical Description/Process Analysis assignment. Inform the
class of when your program will run on cable TV, and on which channel? Save
the video program digitally and post to YouTube.
Or, in the alternative, learn about professional video editing tools on your phone,
computer, or via YouTube and use them to post a professional video interview of
“how to” process description to YouTube.
NOTE: Professor Suess offers to review students’ extra credit writing, and to
assist students with self-directed research based on these or other areas of interest.
(See next page.)
Fall Semester; Professor Suess
English Department, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Division, North Seattle
College
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English 230, Technical Writing – Fall Term 2014 v1.1_Oct. 20, 2014
The extra credit opportunities offer:

Additional intellectual challenges to students who wish to pursue them.

A chance to obtain more experience and practice writing. (The way to
become an effective writer is to write!)

Some exposure to nuances related to other forms of communications – such
as creating a video, or creating a blog site.

Ways to augment students’ efforts to become effective technical writers, by
studying effective, compelling technical writing and other effective writing.

A chance to pursue a greater understanding of emerging technologies and
applications -- related to computers, energy, bio-tech, medicine, climate
change and public policy.

The chance to grapple with challenging questions and ethical dilemmas
related to technologies and communications and to consider how our lives
are being affected.

Pathways to develop lifelong learning skills.
Fall Semester; Professor Suess
English Department, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Division, North Seattle
College
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