In-Class Writing, Exploring Keywords Memo

During today’s class, I asked everyone to bring a new magazine article. What you will be writing today is a combination summary and list of defined keywords memo that helps someone know what topics are included in an article and how those topics are defined using a professional dictionary: the Oxford English Dictionary.

Imagine how such a document might be useful for informing a non-technical executive of jargon or training co-workers about useful terminology. Use Google Docs to create your document and copy-and-paste it into a comment made to this blog post. Remember that some formatting might get stripped out from the copy-and-paste operation, which is okay. Just look over your comment and make any final edits that you want before clicking “Post Comment.”

Your memo should follow this format:

Header block (to, from, date, and subject)

Introduction for memo (no more than 50 words, explain the memo’s purpose in your own words and include the article’s title and author’s name).

100-word Summary of Article. Include one quote or paraphrase and cite it parenthetically. For example: Google’s new mesh wifi router “will send statistics to the cloud so that Google’s servers can analyze your network’s performance” (Brown, 2017, p. 62).

Bullet-point list of 10 keywords or terms used in the article. Next to each keyword, quote a definition for that word from the Oxford English Dictionary and write a parenthetical citation after the quote. There is no word count limit for this section. For example:

  • Cloud computing: “the use of networked facilities for the storage and processing of data rather than a user’s local computer, access to data or services typically being via the Internet” (“Cloud computing,” 2016).

Finally, write “References” and below this title write bibliographic entries for each citation (your magazine article and each bullet-point keyword defined by the OED). Organize your list of references alphabetically by the first letter of each entry. For example:

References

Brown, M. (Jan. 2017). Google wifi: mesh networking made easy. PC World, 35(1), 59-66.

Cloud computing. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

When you are done, copy-and-paste your work into a comment made to this blog post.

You may use the remaining class time to work on your resume lists discussed in our last class. Remember to bring these lists to our next class.

Please remember to thank your substitute professor for spending their time with you today!

7 thoughts on “In-Class Writing, Exploring Keywords Memo

  1. Abdulla Attareb

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: Abdulla Attareb
    DATE: March 1, 2017
    SUBJECT: ENG 1133, In-class Writing, OED Memo

    The purpose of this memo is to give a summary on the article “Wave Shaper” by Charles Platt, and to list and define terminology that would be unfamiliar to people that are not into the technological field.

    In the article Platt explains step by step on how to build a multifunctional sound synthesizer using audio chips. He first discusses how the audio chips generates waves to increase the frequency and amplitude of a sound synthesizer. With each step he provides images to better help the reader understand and mimic what he is doing. He states that this project can be very cheap to create and you could use your everyday materials. “To create a keyboard-controlled synthesizer open up a cheap keyboard and look for the contacts that close when keys are pressed.” (Platt, 2015, p.75)

    Synthesizer: “one of various types of instrument for generating and combining signals of different frequencies; esp. a computerized instrument used to create music electronically.” (“Synthesizer”, 1986)
    Frequency: “The rate of recurrence of any regularly repeated event.” (“Frequency”, 1898)
    Amplification: “The action of amplifying, extending or enlarging.” (“Amplification”, 1884)
    Ohm: “A unit of electrical resistance (also used for reactance and impedance, and incorporated in the International System of Units), defined as the resistance that exists between two points when a potential difference between them of one volt produces a current of one ampere.” (“Ohm”, 2004)
    Capacitor: “A device which stores electricity during part of an operation” (“Capacitor”, 1972)
    Modulation: “The action of treating, regulating, or varying something so as to achieve due measure and proportion; variation of light, line, form, etc., with regard to artistic effect; an act of softening, tempering, or toning down.” (“Modulation”, 2002)
    Transmitter: “That part of a telegraphic or telephonic apparatus by means of which messages are transmitted or dispatched; a transmitting instrument” (“Transmitter”, 1914)
    Potentiometers: “A device for measuring potential difference or an electromotive force by balancing it against a variable potential difference of known value produced by passing a known (usually fixed) current through a known (usually variable) resistance.” (“Potentiometer”, 2006)
    Electrolysis: “Chemical decomposition produced by the passage of an electric current through a liquid containing ions; the process of passing a current through a liquid to produce a chemical reaction at the electrodes.” (“Electrolysis”, 2008)
    Emulate: “To reproduce the action of or behave like (a different type of computer) with the aid of hardware or software designed to effect this; to run (a program, etc., written for another type of computer) by this means.” (“Emulate”, 1891)

    References:

    Amplification.(1884) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Capacitor. (1972) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Electrolysis.(2008) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Emulate. (1891) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Frequency. (1898) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Modulation. (2002) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Ohm. (2004) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Platt, C.. (2015, October/November). Wave Shaper. Make, 47, 74

    Potentiometers. (2006) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Synthesizer. (1986) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Transmitter. (1914) In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

  2. SoJung Moon

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: SoJung Jang
    DATE: March 15, 2017
    SUBJECT: ENG 1133, In-Class Writing, OED Memo

    The purpose of this memo is to help the readers and myself to better understand some of the vocabulary we may not be familiar with, or have an idea on what the words means but would like to have a better understanding of it.
    There are many factors that can disrupt your well-being. Some of those factors include smoking, stress, medical disorders and sleep deprivation. According to Park during an interview with Professor Walker of neuroscience and psychology, “Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health.” (Park, 72). Studies of sleep deprived versus well rested rats make researchers believe “the brain produces a signal that essentially tells the body’s major systems–the heart, the lungs, the digestive system, the nervous system, even the muscles–that it’s time to call it quits for the day.” (Park, 72).

    E.E.G. / electroencephalogram: A record of the electrical activity of the brain, typically produced by means of electrodes attached to the scalp; abbreviated EEG.
    PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder.
    Off-kilter: Away from the expected or desirable condition; off balance, awry.
    Curt: So brief as to be wanting in courtesy or suavity.
    Schizophrenia: A mental disorder occurring in various forms, all characterized by a breakdown in the relation between thoughts, feelings, and actions, usu. with a withdrawal from social activity and the occurrence of delusions and hallucinations.
    Bipolar Disorder: a form of mental illness characterized by one or more episodes of mania typically accompanied by one or more episodes of major depression
    Alzheimer’s disease: a common form of dementia (progressive mental deterioration) typically beginning in late middle age, characterized clinically by memory loss, confusion, and disorientation, and pathologically by degeneration and loss of neurons and the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in certain parts of the brain.
    Detrimental: Causing loss or damage; harmful, injurious, hurtful.

    References
    Alzheimer’s disease. (2012). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Bipolar disorder. (2006). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Curt. (1893). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Detrimental. (1895). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Electroencephalogram. (2008). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Off-kilter. (2004). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Park, A. (2017, March 16). Longevity the sleep cure. Time, 189(7-8), 72-76.
    PTSD. (1982). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Schizophrenia. (1982). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

  3. Iliane Soriano

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: Iliane Soriano
    DATE: March 1, 2016
    SUBJECT: ENG1133; In-Class Writing, OED Memo

    This memo will help others who aren’t in the same field as me understand words that may not be familiar to them. It will also help me understand a few words I’m unfamiliar with. The article I read was The Longevity Report by Alexandra Sifferlin.

    Sifferlin speaks on the hype of humans trying to live as long as possible. There are millions of dollars being given towards research on what can help live a longer life. A popular study is being run by Ambrosia, they are transfusing plasma from young adults to older people. There isn’t enough evidence that the transfusions promote longer living. But, people are still paying $8,000 to get the transfusions done in hopes of living longer. According to Alexandra Sifferlin, “Blood-based therapies for longevity could still be in our future, but the science isn’t there yet.” (Sifferlin, 2017, p.81)

    Aneurysm: “A morbid dilatation of an artery, due to disease in the arterial coats, or to a tumour caused by their rupture.” (“Aneurysm,” 1884)
    Bioengineering: “The application to biological processes of techniques derived from engineering; (also) the use of any advanced technology, esp. genetic engineering, to alter or augment biological systems and materials; biotechnology.” (“Bioengineering,” 2010)
    Biohacking: “The unregulated manipulation of genetic material, typically as a hobby, with potential disregard of ethical standards, or for criminal purposes.” (“Biohacking,” 2010)
    Data-mining: “the process or practice of examining large collections of data in order to generate new information, typically using specialized computer software.” (“Data-mining,” 2012)
    Deluge: “To flow or pour over (a surface) in a deluge; to flood, inundate; also absol. (Often used hyperbolically.)” (“Deluge,” 1895)
    Genome: “the complete set of genes of an organism, species, organelle, etc.” (“Genome,” 2008)
    Microbiome: “The collective genomes of all the microorganisms inhabiting a specific environment, esp. that of the body.” (“Microbiome,” 2013)
    MRI: “magnetic resonance imaging.” (“MRI,” 2000)
    Plasma: “the clear, protein-rich liquid in which the cells of the blood are suspended.” (“Plasma,” 2006)
    Suture: “The joining of the lips of a wound, or of the ends of a severed nerve or tendon, by stitches; also, an instance of this; a stitch used for this purpose.” (“Suture,” 1918)

    Aneurysm. (1884). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Bioengineering. (2010). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Biohacking. (2010). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Data-mining. (2012). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Deluge. (1895). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Genome. (2008). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Microbiome. (2013). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    MRI. (2000). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Plasma. (2006). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Sifferlin, A. (2017, Feb 27). The longevity report. Time, 189(7-8), 80-82.

    Suture. (1918). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

  4. Edwin

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: Edwin Arriaza
    DATE: March 15, 2017
    SUBJECT: OED Memo
    This memo will summarize the article “The True/Two Faces of Anonymous” written by Robert Alexander on Innovation & tech today. While reading this article I found multiple terms that are considered jargon in technology or words that I am not familiar with. I will define them after the article summary.
    Anonymous is a famously known hacking group that leaked government secured information and disrupted events from their targets. According to Robert Alexander, Anonymous had success by manipulating “lonely kids looking for a real connection in a digital world.” (Robert Alexander, 2017, p.78). Anonymous was used as a site that encouraged a social revolution by being a place to vent and discuss things wrong with the world. They had a huge army of users of their site that will take the risk of leaking data to expose companies, which is why Robert considered Anonymous manipulative.
    Terms:
    • Minimalist: “Basic, simple; pared down to the minimum elements necessary to achieve a desired result” (“Minimalist,” 2002).
    • Ethos: “The characteristic spirit of a people, community, culture, or era as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations; the prevailing character of an institution or system.” (“Ethos,” 2014).
    • Hacktivist: “A person who attempts to gain unauthorized access to computer files or networks in order to further social or political ends.” (“Hacktivist,” 2006).
    • Client: “A program used to access a service or data that is provided and managed centrally by a server, esp. over a computer network; a networked computer used to access such a service or data.” (“Client,” 2016).
    • Channel: “That through which information, news, trade, or the like passes; a medium of transmission, conveyance, or communication; means agency.” (“Channel,” 1889).
    • Tyranny: “Arbitrary or oppressive exercise of power; unjustly severe use of one’s authority; despotic treatment or influence; harsh, severe, or unmerciful action; with a and pl., an instance of this, a tyrannical act or proceeding.” (“Tyranny,” 1916).
    • Backchannel: “A means of communication which circumvents official channels, esp. in order to facilitate informal or clandestine negotiations” (“Backchannel,” 2006).
    • Forum: “as the place of public discussion”. (“Forum,” 1987).
    • Leak: “To allow the disclosure of (secret or confidential information).” (“Leak,” 1902).
    • Offshoot: “Something that shoots off or emanates; an emanation”. (Offshoot,” 2004).
    References:
    Ethos. (2014). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Minimalist. (2002). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

  5. Lauren

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: Lauren Brewster
    DATE: March 1, 2017
    SUBJECT: ENG1133 In-Class Writing, OED Memo

    The purpose of this memo is to write a summary of the article, “Why Ever Stop Playing Video Games”, by Frank Guan, and defining key terms within the article.
    In the article, Guan discusses that “155 million American play video games, more than the number who voted in November’s presidential election.”(Guan, pg. 30) Guan also notes that many gamers are often unemployed, but are happy. The “drug effect” of gaming allows “one to turn the rest of the world off.”(Guan, pg. 31) Guan mentions a few gamers who have made gaming a “viable and lucrative profession”(Guan, pg. 83).By using Youtube, they have created wealth through advertising and subscriptions, just by “filming themselves playing through games in a ludicrously excitable state.”(Guan, pg. 83)

    Automation: “The action or process of introducing automatic equipment or devices into a manufacturing or other process or facility; (also) the fact of making something (as a system, device, etc.) automatic”.(“Automation”, 1948)
    Streaming: “Designating forms of technology which allow video and audio material to be transferred over a computer network or (less commonly) to and from a disk as a continuous, real-time stream of data; (now esp.) designating video or audio material transferred over the Internet in this way, as streaming audio, streaming media, streaming video, etc.”(“Streaming”, 1987)
    Cyberspace: “The space of virtual reality; the notional environment within which electronic communication (esp. via the Internet) occurs.”(“Cyperspace”, 1982)
    Digital: “Of signals, information, or data: represented by a series of discrete values (commonly the numbers 0 and 1), typically for electronic storage or processing.”(“Digital, 1940)
    Analog: “Designating a timepiece or other instrument which displays information using moving hands or pointers on a continuous, typically circular scale. Also: designating the display itself.”(“Analog”, 1947)
    Crowdfunding: “The practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, each of whom contributes a relatively small amount, typically via the Internet.”(“Crowdfunding”, 2007)
    Role-Playing Games: “a game in which participants act out roles; (now usually) spec. a game in which players take on the roles of imaginary characters who engage in adventures, typically in a particular fantasy setting overseen by a referee; (also in later use) a computer game of this kind.”(“Role-Playing Games, 2001)
    IRL: “in real life; in the physical world, rather than online or in a virtual environment.”(“IRL”, 1988)
    Games Console: “device on to which computer games can be loaded and played, (originally) one requiring connection to a television, (in later use also) a small hand-held device incorporating its own screen.”(“Games Console”, 1977)
    Guan, F. (2017, February 20-February 5). Why ever stop playing video games.New York Magazine, 28-33; 83-84.

  6. Esmeralda V.

    TO: Professor Ellis
    FROM: Esmeralda Vizueth
    DATE: March 1, 2017
    SUBJECT: In-Class Writing Memo, OED Memo

    This memo is to summarize the article “The Internet Is Broken”, by Matt Giles, and to define jargons in computer science.
    This article summarizes an interview with computer professional Edward Snowden. Giles explains that information is being handled erroneously by government and private corporations. “Even if you don’t use the internet or a smartphone, your information is handled by tax authorities and healthcare providers who route it over the internet”(Snowden, pg.26). Snowden states that most of our privacy is currently optional and shares methods for people to improve their privacy strengh.
    NSA : ”n. U.S. National Security Agency.”(NSA, 1952—1995)
    Encrypt: v. trans. To convert (data, a message, etc.) into cipher or code, esp. in order to prevent unauthorized access; to conceal in something by this means.(Encrypt, 1950)
    Encode: v. trans. To translate into cipher or code; also techn. of computers (see quot. 1955). Also transf.(Encode, 1953)
    Metadata: n. data that describes and gives information about other data.(Metadata, 2016)
    Digital Footprint: n. a trace or the traces of a person’s online activity which can be recovered by electronic means; the information about a person that exists on the Internet as a result of his or her online activity.(Digital Footprint, 2016)
    Software: n. The collection of programs essential to the operation of a particular computer system, typically (in early use) being provided by the manufacturer. b. Programs designed to enable a computer to perform a particular task or series of tasks.(Software, 2016)
    Hardware: n. 1. Originally: small items made of metal. Later more generally: tools, utensils, fittings, and other items for domestic or household use.(Hardware, 2016)
    Firewall: n. b. Computing. A system, typically a piece of hardware or software, which provides protection against unauthorized access to or from a private network or computer system.(Firewall, 2016)
    Browser: n. Computing. A program used to locate, access, and display documents or files stored on a computer system, network, etc.; esp. (in later use). Also: a program used to view and edit computer code.(Browser, 2016)
    Technologist: n. A person who studies or specializes in technology.(Technologist, 2016)

    References

    Giles, M. (May/June. 2016). The Internet IS Broken. Popular Science, 288(3), 26-29.
    Browser. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Digital Footprint. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Encode. (1953). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Encrypt. (1950). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Firewall. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Hardware. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Metadata. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    NSA . (1952—1995). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Software. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com
    Technologist. (2016). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

  7. ERNSO MOISE

    To: Professor Ellis
    From: Ernso Moise
    Date : 03/01/2017
    Subject: In class writing Oed

    We all remember that last year president Obama nominated a supreme court that was never had a chance to go in front of the senate for confirmation, basically the process restart with a new nomination, today we will be talking about a writer’s view on this new supreme court judge.

    This article written by Tessa Berenson explain in which political perspective that president Trump has picked his supreme court judge. His views and experience were considered in the article. This article talk also about the chance that this new will have to be confirmed in the highest court of the country Trump has put a lot of people on notice in regard of who he will put into some keys positions, as a result, many liberals went to demonstrate at the office of senator .Schumer. It also share that moveon.org wants to block the nomination. Of the supreme judge.

    Oxford dictionary

    Luminary: “A natural light-giving body, esp. a celestial body; pre-eminently applied to the sun or the moon” ( “luminary,” 1903).
    Mollify: trans. “To make soft or supple; to make tender; to reduce the hardness of” ( “ mollify,”2002).

    References
    Luminary. (1903). In OED Online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com

    Tessa B, (Mars, 2017), Trump’s Supreme Court picks puts Democrats in a bind, Time, (page 10-11)

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