System Improvement Proposal

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System Improvement Proposal

System Improvement Proposal

Eng 2575/A

Technical Writing

Assignment: System Improvement Proposal – Multiple Due Dates

Topic Proposal	Due Tues. April 6 on Blackboard	1 page - for instructor approval and feedback
Outline and First Draft Due	April 20 on Blackboard	Outline must follow assignment format and accompany first draft
Revised Draft Due	May 11 on Blackboard	Must include Works Cited Page - All sources must be confirmed by this date.
Final Revision (if necessary*)	May 21 on Blackboard

(*Depending on the quality of your Revised Draft, you may not be asked to make a Final Revision.)

System Improvement Proposal:

This final paper will be 2000 words, APA formatted, double-spaced with one-inch margins, submitted on Blackboard as Microsoft Word, with a Works Cited page and Cover Page.

Your paper must include graphics and four instructor-approved academic sources.

This assignment’s goals: You will write a proposal to improve a currently existing system or technology either by adding an innovation, or by applying a new design aspect to it, or by making it more efficient, more effective, or more environmentally sustainable.

The system improvement proposal will be submitted in three drafts. Each student will need to have their topic approved by the instructor before writing the first draft. Each draft accounts for a portion of the paper’s total grade.

20% Topic Proposal
30% Outline and First Draft with Sources
50% Final Draft

If you are asked to submit revisions to your final draft, you will have the chance earn additional credit to make up missed credit on the final. (This is ONLY for those who are asked to submit final revisions.)

FAQ:

Q. What kind of topics would work best for an assignment like this?

A. The range of topics is wide. Notice though, that what you want to consider improving is a system, not an idea, a work of art, or an object. Also, 2000 words is about five pages, double-spaced, so you will not want to make it too big (like improving the entire criminal justice system of the United States) or too small (like improving the system of changing a tire or a diaper.)

Some possible topics include:

1. Proposal to improve the rate of paper recycling in New York City (Just keep it to one material, either paper, metal, glass, or plastic.)

2. Proposal to improve the energy efficiency of New York City’s school buses.

3. Proposal to improve public transportation between Brooklyn and Queens.

4. Proposal to adapt residential housing to save energy costs and protect the environment.

5. Proposal to improve Blackboard to make it more user-friendly.

6. Proposal to reduce carbon emissions from:

Cars
Dairy farms
Coast-to-coast travel
Fast food
(Other??)

7. Proposal to improve digital connectivity in poorly served areas.

8. Proposal to control coastal flooding in a particular area. (One of the best system improvement papers I ever received was a proposal for controlling flooding in the Rockaways. This is exactly the scope and size that works best for a project like this.)

Q: What does it mean that I need to get my topic approved?

A: You can either come up with your own idea, or choose one of the ones above. Either way, I need to see your idea, which you will submit on Blackboard as a one to three paragraph topic proposal, by April 7^th. If you are somewhat undecided or doubtful, I strongly suggest including one or two backup proposal ideas along with your topic proposal. This will make it easier for me to give guidance for how you should proceed.

Q: Does it have to be about technology?

A: It is a technical writing class, so yes, it does need to be about technology. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be about machines and computers. If you are passionate about politics, for example, you could propose an improvement to our voting process to make it less vulnerable to hackers or system crashes. If you are interested in animals, you can suggest an improvement to a system for protecting a particular endangered species.

Q: Why so many drafts and due dates?

A: All drafts combined, this paper is worth 50% of your grade in the class. The best way to make sure your final paper is in the best possible shape is to give multiple chances at revision. The process of revision is itself a crucial writing skill to develop. Each draft is awarded a portion of the paper’s total grade. The credit you earn is for your attention to instructor feedback, and the improvement shown between earlier and later drafts.

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