MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

because I am sick.  I tried to use the course email reflectors but they are not working for me; they keep emailing last year's cohort of students.

What you need to do is to continue the directions work.  Think about the part of the front matter that includes 

• conditions
• settings
• intrumentation including computer or softward components
• materials
• ingrediants
• tools
• safety considerations

Also note if you do these steps alone or with a partner. You can think about putting some of these items in lists or columns. For example, in a lab experiment, consider a column of consumables (regents, buffers, etc.) next to a column of instruments, tools, equipment.

Here is a Key Lim Pie recipe discussion document. Note that this is a very good start but needs some revision.

SEE YOU WEDNESDAY WITH YOUR DRAFT DIRECTIONS.  We will discuss in particular some sort of attribution to build or establish your ethos. Also to be discussed will be back matter.  And, the punctuation and formatting details to make your drections PERFECT. 

and both audience analysis and front matter.

But first, a few examples about misleading sentences in science here.

Here is an assignment sheet (you already have this) that can gude you.

Over the weekend, you will need to think about your directions, looking for the tasks, sub-routines, balance between action verb and information. Briefly, we might look at this "dancing" exhibit.  Have you seen this one?

Also, we will talk about authority and ethos (you giving credit to others; this can be a perfect way to use the back matter option).

For fun, look at this:  Apostrophes matter!

We will move our discussion of visuals in direction to Monday. Why?  To let you work in class on the computers.  If you cannot wait, then peek around here at JoVE.

as do all good documents. After you are clear about who you are writing for, from a novice to an experienced practioner, then you turn to the writing task.

Writing instructions, procedures, and directions requires simplicity. Rather than write paragraphs, use numbers, bullets, and document design. Above all, be audience-centered. Write with the USER in mind. 

• Use short, concise phrases or sentences. Be consistent about choice of phrases or sentences.
• Use active, descriptive words. Be consistent in both word choice.
• Use bold, italic, and color to help key words, especially action verbs "pop." However, don't over-use these document design elements.
• Use command structure:  lead with a verb.

Example:  Read how to avoid a being eaten by a cougar. Note the preparatory information, safety comments, limits to strategy, parallel structure, command structure, numbering, attention to detail.

For those thining about a recipe, PLEASE CLEAR WITH ME BY EMAIL.  Let's think about how to make bones of the dead.

A bit about visuals.  We will discuss in class.  However, we can look at this document to start the conversation.

For fun, then, enjoy these two science parodies.  Total gems.

Sign up here.

On to directions and the final project.  By Friday, you need a directions topic. More on this in class.

Final project?  Yes, we spend the rest of the semester on your final project.  :)  

So, to think about directions and the final project, let's start with this handout. READ for Wednesday, please.

On Friday, we missed an opportunity for fun science videso.  I offer two: one from a biomedical lab and the other from an astrophysics group associated with NASA.

Remember the handout on transitions?  Dr. L. is one of the physicist featured here.

Today.  I am reposting the checklist here.

Ok, let's get to this.  By the way, this is my favorite assignment to read and grade in the class. So, let that be encouragement. I love learning from you.

Pictures/metaphors for the ways to bind the content in mice bundles for the reader:

Think pearls on a string, separted by small gold beads.

Think "threading the cognition of the reader" as you stich together the complex content for audience, context, and purpose.

Paragraphs/Cognitive Threading (two metaphors or visuals to help you)