Author: Jason W. Ellis

Read and take notes about your topic primarily focusing on the “learning sources” (e.g., wikipedia.org, wired.com, arstechnica.com, Google searches, and social media) discussed in this week’s lecture, but you may use “vetted sources,” too (e.g., ebooks and articles from library.citytech.cuny.edu, ebooks available through archive.org, and nytimes.com, which we will discuss in more detail next week).

Then, in your “ENG1133 Technical Report Research Database” Google Doc, write a 250-word memo (remember the memo header at the top: TO, FROM, SUBJECT: Brief History of X–replace X with your topic, DATE) in your own words discussing the background and history of your selected topic.

While you should have taken notes on your reading, don’t look at them during this writing exercise. Focus on what you remember. Conclude your memo with a list of at least five keywords that you will use in your ongoing research. 

Copy-and-paste your memo into a Comment on this Weekly Writing Assignment post (click the title above, scroll down to the comment area, click “Post Comment”).

After watching this week’s lecture and making notes on it, write a memo following the basic model shown below. The first part is a discussion of possible topics for your Research-Based Technical Report, and the second part is a list of 10 potential sources that you find using Academic Source Complete (EBSCO) via the City Tech Library.

TO: Prof. Ellis
FROM: Your Name
SUBJECT: Research Expedition Memo
DATE: 10/20/2021

[Part 1 text:] 250 words discussing your possible three terms and conclude with your final choice and why you chose it.

[Part 2 text:] The ten following sources form the beginning of my research on [state your selected topic again]. [Use the “Cite > APA” tool on each article page on Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) to find the citation and then copy-and-paste it below. And, remember to organize them alphabetically according to the first author’s last name as demonstrated below.]

Altintas, T., Gunes, A., & Sayan, H. (2016). A peer-assisted learning experience in computer programming language learning and developing computer programming skills. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 53(3), 329–337. https://doi-org.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/10.1080/14703297.2014.993418

Lagravière, J., Langguth, J., Prugger, M., Einkemmer, L., Ha, P. H., & Cai, X. (2019). Performance Optimization and Modeling of Fine-Grained Irregular Communication in UPC. Scientific Programming, 1–20. https://doi-org.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/10.1155/2019/6825728

Logan, W. (2008). Is C Dead? EE: Evaluation Engineering, 47(5), 44–49. 

For this week’s Weekly Writing Assignment, we are going to do some work to prime our thinking for the next major project in the class–the Technical Report–which we will discuss in depth next week. To prepare, I would like you to read the introduction and first section (“Technical Background Reports”) on this page and skim this page on Report Design of David McMurrey’s Online Technical Writing Textbook. Then, write a memo (remember to add a memo header with a subject of “Technical Background Report Info”) of at least 250-words in your own words discussing what a technical background report is, what kinds of information goes into it, what sections/layout should it have, and how technical reports relate to other things that you’ve read or seen before (e.g., other technical reports, examples in films or video games, other types of documents, etc.). Write your memo in your word processor of choice, save it someplace safe, and copy-and-paste it into a comment made to this post.

Find information below for this week’s Weekly Writing Assignment, homework for the Job Application Portfolio project, and a list of useful links and troubleshooting information (for the Weekly Writing Assignment).

For this week’s Weekly Writing Assignment, go to LinkedIn Learning via the NYPL, login, and search for “Learning LinkedIn for Students.” This is a 1hr 38min course. Watch all of it or as much as you have the time to, and write a 250-word minimum memo summarizing in your own words what you took away from the course (e.g., how to create a profile, why a profile is useful, what kinds of information to include, how does LinkedIn work, etc.). Write your memo in your word processor of choice and copy-and-paste it into a comment made to this post (click the title, scroll down to the comment box, copy-and-paste into the box, and click “Post Comment”). A memo mode is included below:

TO: Prof. Ellis
FROM: Your Name
DATE: 10/6/2021 (the date it is due)
SUBJECT: Highlights from Learning LinkedIn for Students

Begin your 250 words with a sentence stating the purpose of the memo (e.g., This memo summarizes important points from the Learning LinkedIn for Students course). Then, follow with the points that you want to make based on your notes made while watching the video.

For this week’s homework, write a draft of your job application letter (i.e., cover letter) using the sample linked below and those in Anderson chapter 2 as models. Save this for our peer review work next week. Also, create a profile on LinkedIn.com. Use your personal job search database document for the information that you add to your profile. If you already have a profile, update it with information from your personal job search database document. We will also use your LinkedIn Profile during peer review next week. Watch the Week 5 lecture for more information!

Use the files and links below (and discussed in this week’s lecture) to help you with the Weekly Writing Assignment and this week’s homework. Also, pay attention to the troubleshooting section below for anyone having trouble accessing LinkedIn Learning via the NYPL.

Sample Job Application Letter

Job Search

• LinkedIn.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com

Business Research

• City Tech Library | Business Databases (Business Collection, Business Complete, LexisNexis)
• The New York Times (this link takes you to the signup for a free digital subscription with search)
• Glassdoor.com (job ad site with salary and other information about businesses)

Cover Letters

• Purdue OWL Job Search Letters (use the navigation menu on the left, has samples)
• James Madison University | Cover Letters and Letters of Inquiry
• The New York Times | How to Write a Cover Letter People Will Actually Read

LinkedIn

• LinkedIn Profile Checklist

Troubleshooting

NB: Some students have reported problems accessing LinkedIn Learning with a digital NYPL card. Please use the following links to accomplish the Week 3 and Week 4 Weekly Writing Tasks:

For the Week 3 Weekly Writing Assignment, you can explore the course topics of LinkedIn Learning here:

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/browse?upsellOrderOrigin=default_guest_learning&trk=homepage-learning_hero_subjects-link

For the Week 4 Weekly Writing Assignment, you can catch a preview of the “Learning LinkedIn for Students” here without needing to login:

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-linkedin-for-students-2021/tap-into-the-power-of-linkedin-8352093?autoplay=true&trk=course_preview&upsellOrderOrigin=default_guest_learning

Remember to watch this week’s lecture in its entirety before proceeding with this week’s Weekly Writing Assignment and homework.

The first part of this post describes the Weekly Writing Assignment, and the second part describes this week’s homework for the current Job Application Portfolio project.

This week’s Weekly Writing Assignment will introduce you to a public and free resource of great value to you–LinkedIn Learning via the New York Public Library.

First, sign up for a NYPL Library Card and pin number if you don’t already have one. A NYPL card is free.

Next, access LinkedIn Learning via the link provided on this page in the NYPL Online Catalog. Login to LinkedIn Learning using your NYPL Library Card number and pin. After selected areas of interest, click continue to proceed into LinkedIn Learning.

Then, use the Browse and Search features of LinkedIn Learning to explore what kinds of training courses are available to you. With your NYPL Card, these training courses are all free. Watch some of the videos and try out some of the course features, such as videos and transcripts.

Finally, write a memo using the format below of approximately 250 words in length that describes what you found in your explorations of LinkedIn Learning. Are there specific courses that interested you? What are their titles? Which videos did you watch? Be specific with titles and the names of the course leaders. Copy-and-paste your memo into a comment made to this Weekly Writing Assignment post (to find the comment box, click on the title of this post–Weekly Writing Assignment, Week 3–scroll down to the comment box, copy-and-paste your memo, and click “Post Comment.”).

TO: Prof. Ellis
FROM: [Your name]
DATE: 9/29/2021
SUBJECT: Exploring LinkedIn Learning

Write one sentence in your own words describing the purpose of the memo (what you discovered in LinkedIn Learning). Then, use the remaining sentences to describe how and what you found in your exploration of LinkedIn Learning.

For this week’s homework, you should create a skills resume and an experience resume. Use the following samples and templates to help you begin (remember to hide table borders in your documents that you create–Google how to do this based on the word processing software/service that you use). The other resources below will help you with the language that you use in your resume. Save your resumes for peer review during the week after next. Next week, we will work on the job application letter and your LinkedIn Profile.

Sample Resume Documents

Resume Resources

• Purdue OWL Resumes and Vitas (use the navigation menu on the left, has samples)
• Georgia Tech | Women in Engineering | Sample Resumes and Cover Letters
• University of Maryland | Resume Tips (with samples and list of action verbs)
• David McMurrey’s Online Technical Writing | Resume Samples
• TheMuse.com | 250+ Skills for Your Resume
• List of Action Verbs for Resumes and Professional Profiles (pdf)