ENGLISH ASSIGNMNET

The Research Assignment or (Tell me something I don’t already know)

In this short assignment (one page plus a Works Cited) there are three kinds of information presented:

• paraphrasing of information • analogy • extension of the idea or principle of function

You are to find an interesting new (or old and forgotten) technology, process, tool or idea and present briefly yet clearly in a paper. This paper is a conversation starter not an exhaustive exploration or explanation of the topic. It should generate interest not bore your audience. In the first paragraph you will introduce the new idea and where its origin (you must clearly delineate the start and end of the paraphrased material and cite your source). Please, you must paraphrase the idea rather than quoting it directly. Your paraphrase should sound like your voice – not like someone else’s with a few words changed. TIP: read the material, go for a 30-minute walk and think about what you read. When you get back write down your understanding of the material (without looking at the original document). I can spot substitution of words easily. INSIGHT: One test I use to verify that you are using your own words is to ask you, unexpectedly, to explain it to me. In the second paragraph you will explain how the technology, process, tool or idea works using an analogy (a form of illustration that relies on conceptual similarities to get across an idea).

As an example: The flow of electrons in a wire is like the flow of water in a pipe. In an electrical circuit the voltage is like the water pressure, resistance is like a kink in the hose that resists free flow, and amperage is like the volume of water that flows past any point in the system in a set period of time.

In the third paragraph you will attempt to extend the idea into another field or application. This is sometimes very difficult (it is a higher-order form of abstract thinking) so I have made it a bonus mark. Don’t worry if you can’t think of an extension.

For example: IDEA: Doctors routinely use specialised balloons to open up veins or arteries that have collapsed or become clogged. A thin flexible tube with the balloon attached is inserted into the vein or artery and fed along it until the balloon is at the point of

the collapse. When the balloon is inflated it forces the vein or artery to open up (or to stretch wider). The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn by the flexible tube. EXTENSION: This technology could be used to repair dents and depressions in drywall in a similar manner. A flexible hose with a balloon attached could be fed into the wall cavity behind the dent. Once inflated the cavity would be forced back into shape and covered with a skim-coat of drywall mud to hide the cracks and abrasions.

There should be no visual illustration in this paper. The analogy is itself a form of illustration. This paper should be brief (it will likely fit on one sheet of paper) and include a ‘Works Cited’ to document your source. Only one source is needed but you may have more if you used someone else’s analogy. I’d prefer that you developed an analogy of your own; but, it is permitted to use one you found – just document it properly. Where to find new ideas. Read the news, science, engineering blogs and websites like: http://www.sciencealert.com/ http://www.dailytech.com/ https://www.sciencenews.org/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/ http://gizmodo.com/tag/gadgets http://www.popsci.com/blog-network http://dornob.com/ http://interestingengineering.com/ Please cite your source(s) using IEEE2006 documentation style. There is a document covering this in the assignment folder.