Technical Document paper on Image Recognition/A.I

Peterson ENGL 235

Final Report Assignment

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Purpose: This report will be your final assignment for the class. The weekly class assignments are designed to prepare you to successfully create this document. In that way, this assignment asks you to synthesize all of your learning and demonstrate your mastery of the following course learning outcomes:

 Locate, evaluate, and integrate credible research into a written document for a specific purpose and work-world audience;

 Apply appropriate formatting and visual aids for a specific purpose and work-world audience; and

 Edit for accuracy, brevity, clarity, to write an ethical document with a specific purpose and work-world audience.

It will also prepare you to meet the following general education program learning outcomes:

 Obtain, evaluate, and ethically use information; and  Communicate with various audiences using a variety of methods.

Scenario: As a new employee at Initech, you’ve been given a task: conduct a feasibility study for the company’s venture capital department on an emerging technical process or product of your choosing. You need only choose one topic (either a product or a process). Here are just a few examples you might consider:

Process

3-D printing

Wave or wind energy

Natural gas fracking

Private space travel

Virtual reality gaming

Product

Driverless vehicles

Hoverboards

Hydrogen fuel cells

Smart homes

The latest social media, gadget, application, or technology craze

The choice is up to you, but you the information you present should be technical in nature. In other words, if you were to pick your favorite smart phone game, you should be prepared to focus on how it’s programmed, how the makers earn money, how many users subscribe, what their spending habits are, etc., rather than “It’s so cool because you get to kill zombies with plants!”

Once you have a process or product in mind, the question this study should address is:

“Is [your process or product] a viable investment for Initech?”

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Final Report Assignment

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In other words, “If we invest in [your process or product], will we see financial gain as a result?”

Do not worry about any of the logistics of the actual investment itself. You aren’t expected to research stock offerings or investment contracts. Instead, make sure that your report addresses the following topics and related questions:

History: How, when, where, and why did this develop?

Explanation: How—precisely and specifically—does this work?

Impact: What effects does this process or product have on 1) the environment, 2)

the economy, and/or 3) society as a whole?

Future: What is the development trend of this process or product? Is it popular?

Does it (or things like it) make money? Based on its past development and its

current use/popularity, is this likely to become more widespread in the future?

Recommendation: Given all your answers to these questions, would this be a good choice for Initech to invest in?

Essentially, you are conducting a research project that asks the following questions:

“What does the future of [my process or product] look like? Will it be more widely used? Will it be replaced soon? If so, by what?”

A related question to address here might be “Should [my process or product] be

more widely used? Is it environmentally hazardous or otherwise flawed? If so, are

those flaws serious enough that a company should not invest in it?”

For this reason, you should pick something that is relatively new, or even untested

in its development. Don’t worry about accurately predicting the future. You should

instead make a clear recommendation based on what your credible research is telling you at this moment in time.

Instructions: Once you have chosen a process or product, you will conduct research and write a formal feasibility analysis report.

The goal of your report is to 1) investigate the above questions (and others, as

appropriate), 2) gather credible and scholarly research, and then 3) present a

convincing recommendation to a specific audience.

Requirements: Your final report must meet all of the following criteria:

Length: The text of your report from Introduction to Recommendation must be at least 5

single-spaced pages in length NOT including your front matter, Works Cited/References

pages, visuals, or any appendices (see below). This should be at least 3,000 words.

Research: You should include at least 5 credible sources.

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Final Report Assignment

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Visuals: The report should include at least four visuals. At least two of these must be

original visuals of your own making, generated by you yourself. The rest must be

charts, tables, or graphs that you generate originally. These should include an

MLA/APA/IEEE formatted captions and should work with your content to help explain your

findings.

Format: Use 12 pt. font in single-spaced, left-justified paragraphs. Do not TAB to start your new paragraphs. Your entire report should have a running header, with lower-case Roman numeral page numbers (i, ii, iii) for the front matter (except the title page) and starting with Arabic numeral 1 when you being your Introduction. See the provided course models for guidance.

Also, be sure to skip lines between sections and headings. Use bold face for headings

and italics for subheadings. Make use of bold headings, white space, and varied font

sizes/colors to make your document as readable as possible.

Report Outline: Your report should follow the outline below, but take out the outline formatting (I. II. A. B., etc.) for the report. Your report must have each of these 8 parts from the outline. Each one should constitute a new page in your report (start a new page for each section).

I. Title page

II. Letter of Transmittal Please direct this to me, your instructor. Your letter of

transmittal should be 1-2 pages in length and should include the following elements

(do not number them, though):

1. A reflection on your process in writing the report—how did the project go for your overall?

2. A reflection on what you learned regarding each of the four course learning outcomes. You should note what specifically you have learned that has prepared you to master these outcomes. (Ex: “I have learned to create my own graphs and charts in Excel to support my written text. As well, I now know how to set these off with appropriate amount of white space and to include a properly-formatted caption. I feel that these skills show that I’m able to ‘Apply appropriate formatting and visual aids for a specific purpose and work-world audience.’”) The course learning outcomes you should discuss are:

a. Locate, evaluate, and integrate credible research into a written document for a specific purpose and work-world audience;

b. Apply appropriate formatting and visual aids for a specific purpose and work-world audience;

c. Edit for accuracy, brevity, clarity, to write an ethical document with a specific purpose and work-world audience;

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d. Contribute successfully to a group in the creation of work-world documents.

3. A reflection on how you see these skills (or the class in general) translating to your future work or study. What will you take with you to use in the future?

4. A brief conclusion.

III. Table of Contents

IV. Informative Abstract/Executive Summary

V. Introduction This will include your answers to the “History” questions on page 2.

A thorough introduction should include (not necessarily in this order):

A. Description, History, and Background of your process or product

B. Purpose of the Report (clear statement of your research question) and

Intended Audience(s)

C. Method of Inquiry

D. Limitations of this Study (such as time or money)

E. Working Definitions (if needed, here or in an appendix glossary)

VI. Collected Data This will include your answers to the “Explanation” and “Impact”

questions on page 2. Divide and subdivide the report into appropriate, manageable

sections. The Data section should include (in the order you best see fit):

A. First Topic for Investigation 1. Definition 2. Findings 3. Interpretation of findings B. Second Topic for Investigation 1. First subtopic a. Definition b. Findings c. Interpretation of findings 2. Second subtopic (and so on)

VII. Conclusion A thorough conclusion should include (again, not necessarily in this

order):

A. Summary of Findings B. Overall Interpretation of Findings C. Recommendations: Is this process or product likely to grow in future?

Should Initech invest in it?

Peterson ENGL 235

Final Report Assignment

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VIII. MLA Works Cited page or APA/IEEE References page The style of citation

you use (MLA, APA, or IEEE) is up to you. MLA is used primarily for humanities

writing, while APA is used with scientific writing. IEEE is used for engineering.

Whichever you choose, be sure to consistently follow the formatting guidelines with

respect to:

1. The general format of the paper (including the running header) 2. The use of in-text reference notes 3. The final Works Cited/References page

Please scroll down for a summative checklist and a rubric that describes how your report will be graded.

Peterson ENGL 235

Final Report Assignment

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Final Report Checklist

Requirements:

 At least 4 single-spaced pages in length from Introduction to Recommendation

 At least 5 credible sources

 At least 4 visuals, only two of these can be copied and pasted

Format:

 12 pt. font

 single-spacing within paragraphs

 double-spacing between sections and headings

 left-justified paragraphs – NO TABS

 a running header

 lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for the front matter (except the title page)

 Arabic numerals when you being your Introduction

 bold headings, white space, and varied font sizes/colors

Report Content:

 Each of these 8 parts from the outline (start a new page for each section):

 I. Title page

 II. Letter of Transmittal

 III. Table of Contents

 IV. Informative Abstract

 V. Introduction

 VI. Collected Data

 VII. Conclusion

 VIII. MLA Works Cited page or APA/IEEE References page

Peterson ENGL 235

Final Report Assignment Rubric

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Outcome Exceeds Mastery Meets Mastery Near Mastery Well Below Mastery

Locate,

evaluate, and

integrate

credible

research into a

written

document for a

specific

purpose and

work-world

audience.

 thoroughly supports and develops the

topic using relevant, credible, and

richly varied sources

 synthesizes relevant source support

through effective interpretation and

analysis

 consistently uses an appropriate

balance of analysis, summary,

paraphrase, and quotation

 considers and convincingly responds

to varying claims

 consistently introduces source

material with varied and effective

signal phrasing

 maintains strict ethical standards and

avoids plagiarism through correct and

precise paraphrasing, use of quotation

marks, in-text citations and an MLA

Works Cited, APA, or IEEE

References page

 sufficiently supports and develops

the topic using fairly relevant,

credible, and varied sources

 provides some synthesis of relevant

source support through

interpretation and analysis

 mostly uses an appropriate balance

of analysis, summary, paraphrase,

and quotation

 might rely somewhat too much on

direct quotation

 considers varying claims and offers

some response

 introduces most source material

with signal phrasing

 avoids plagiarism through

competent paraphrasing and use of

quotation marks, and mostly correct

in-text citations and an MLA Works

Cited, APA, or IEEE References

page

 provides some support and

development of the topic, but may

not be entirely relevant, credible, or

varied

 provides some interpretation and

analysis of source material, but may

fail to effectively synthesize source

material

 has some balance of analysis,

summary, paraphrase, and quotation

 may use direct quotation where

paraphrase or summary would be

more appropriate

 does not adequately consider or

respond to varying claims

 largely lacks clear signal phrasing

provides minimal framing of source

material

 includes some weak paraphrasing,

errors in the use of quotation marks,

and/or errors in the in-text citations

or an MLA Works Cited, APA, or

IEEE References page

 provides insufficient support and

development of the topic, perhaps

because of too few relevant, credible,

or varied sources

 does not synthesize source material

into report’s recommendation(s) and

lacks interpretation and analysis of

source material

 does not balance analysis, summary,

paraphrase, and quotation

 might rely on direct quotation to the

exclusion of paraphrase and summary

 lacks consideration of varying claims

 lacks signal phrasing

 lacks framing of source material

 includes weak or inadequate

paraphrasing and/or significant errors

in the use of quotation marks

 includes significant errors in the in-

text citations and/or an MLA Works

Cited, APA, or IEEE References

page, or lacks one or both of these

 might be unintentionally plagiarizing

sources because of the above

weaknesses

Apply

appropriate

formatting and

visual aids for

a specific

purpose and

work-world

audience.

 correctly uses MLA, APA, or IEEE

standards for page layout

 design choices in page layout enhance

reader understanding

 all visuals are accompanied by MLA,

APA, or IEEE formatted captions

 all visuals are clearly linked to the text

 largely uses MLA, APA, or IEEE

standards for page layout correctly

with few mistakes

 some pages may need improved

design (too crowded, ineffective

spacing, etc.)

 visuals are accompanied by captions,

with few errors in following MLA,

APA, or IEEE formatting models

 most visuals are clearly linked to the

text

 approaches the use of MLA, APA, or

IEEE standards for page layout

 several pages may need improved

design (too crowded, ineffective

spacing, etc.)

 visuals are accompanied by captions,

but do not follow MLA, APA, or

IEEE formatting models

 visuals may not correspond to the

text

 does not display knowledge of MLA,

APA, or IEEE standards for page

layout

 most pages suffer from lack of design

(too crowded, ineffective spacing,

etc.)

 visuals are not accompanied by

captions

 visuals are absent or do not

correspond to the text

Peterson ENGL 235

Final Report Assignment Rubric

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Outcome Exceeds Mastery Meets Mastery Near Mastery Well Below Mastery

Edit for

accuracy,

brevity, clarity,

to write an

ethical

document with

a specific

purpose and

work-world

audience.

 meets the assignment’s purpose

 addresses a professional audience

 uses varied sentences

 exhibits effective word choice

 all sentences meet factual, active, clear, concise, and specific standards

 presents a logical progression of ideas based on the topic

 maintains focus within all paragraphs

 uses effective title and/or subheadings

 consistently provides topic sentences and transitions within and between

paragraphs

 includes logical paragraph breaks

 displays no patterns of error

 maintains a consistent point of view and an appropriate use of tense

 few to no mistakes with syntax, grammar, or punctuation

 meets the assignment’s purpose

 addresses a professional audience

 uses varied sentences, but may

occasionally repeat certain structures

and lengths

 exhibits largely effective word choice

though there may some misuse,

ineffective repetition, and/or a

minimal use of slang/cliché

 some sentences do not meet factual,

active, clear, concise, or specific

standards

 presents a largely logical progression

of ideas based on the topic

 maintains focus within most

paragraphs

 uses satisfactory title and/or

subheadings

 mostly provides topic sentences and

has basic transitions within and

between paragraphs

 includes largely logical paragraph

breaks

 may display patterns of error, which

do not significantly interfere with

meaning

 rarely strays from a consistent point

of view and an appropriate use of

tense

 features occasional mistakes with

syntax, grammar, and punctuation,

but not enough to significantly

interfere with meaning

 meets the assignment’s purpose

 addresses a professional audience

 little sentences variety

 frequent misuse, ineffective

repetition, and/or slang/cliché

 several sentences do not meet

factual, active, clear, concise, or

specific standards

 little evidence for a logical

progression of ideas based on the

topic

 maintains focus within just a few

paragraphs

 lack of title and/or subheadings

 few topic sentences or basic

transitions within and between

paragraphs

 few logical paragraph breaks

 displays patterns of error, which

occasionally interfere with meaning

 often strays from a consistent point

of view and/or appropriate use of

tense

 repeated mistakes with syntax,

grammar, and punctuation

 fails to meet the assignment’s

purpose

 fails to address a professional

audience

 no sentences variety

 consistent misuse, ineffective

repetition, and/or slang/cliché

 many sentences do not meet factual,

active, clear, concise, or specific

standards

 no evidence for a logical progression

of ideas based on the topic

 no focus within paragraphs

 missing title and/or subheadings

 no topic sentences or basic

transitions within and between

paragraphs

 no logical paragraph breaks

 displays patterns of error, which

consistently interfere with meaning

 consistently strays from a consistent

point of view and/or appropriate use

of tense

 consistent mistakes with syntax,

grammar, and punctuation