ENGL 3106 Boston University Steps to Writing a Resume Research Paper
I’m working on a Computer Science exercise and need support.
Final Draft Word Count and Setup Requirement:
- 800-1000 words (plus an APA cover page)
- Does not include any visual aids or illustrations
- Double-spaced lines
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- 2nd or 3rd person point of view
WHAT: Write a set of instructions in essay form for a general audience that describes steps, phases, or stages of a challenging activity and then explain how and why those steps lead to a specific result.
HOW: Select a specific, challenging activity that does not requires you to do research or source citations. Pick something you have prior knowledge about. Then do the following:
1. Give your set of instructions a title that tells what and why you are writing.
- For example: Steps in Preparing for a Camping Trip.
- The words “Steps in Preparing” tell your reader why you are writing; the words “Camping Trip” tell the reader what you are writing about.
- Further examples: Steps in Building a Website. Or Steps in a Tea Ceremony. Or Steps in Executing a Karate Kata. Or Steps in Learning to Play or Sing a New Song.
2. Provide an introductory section that includes
- necessary definitions;
- brief overview of the process to be presented in the essay;
- at least 5 steps that will be detailed in the essay;
- materials needed to complete the process presented in the essay (If only a few materials are needed, list them in the introduction; otherwise, consider placing the materials in a separate paragraph that follows the introduction.)
- thesis statement that ensures the reader knows exactly what the essay will discuss and the order in which the steps will be presented.
3. Develop body paragraphs that define and detail each step (provide at least 5) in a chronological sequence, ensuring the reader understands how each step is linked to the others.
4. Include a conclusion that summarizes the steps presented in the body of the essay.
5. Use clear, precise words to complete this assignment. Use only words. Do not use visual elements such as charts, photos, or other illustrations.
6. Edit the final document for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
You will be working with an OWL specialist to create multiple drafts of this assignment toward a polished, well-crafted final version of your work.
WHY: This assignment strengthens your ability to analyze materials in order to identify main ideas, supporting evidence, and conclusions, while building on writing skills needed to demonstrate form, organization, syntax, diction, style, and tone appropriate for a given audience, subject, and purpose. It will also give insight into the difficulty that can arise when tasked with providing detailed step-by-step directions to others.
Writing Instructions can be beneficial in other ways, too.
- Separating a process into steps, and explaining each step, involves making judgments. When you detail the way something works or how a particular action is accomplished, you develop greater understanding of the subject while teaching others.
- The ability to explain a process can also provide valuable skills for the workplace. If you have an idea for a new product, for example, you will need to explain it to management. Or you might have a strategy that will ensure your company saves money; categorizing and explaining the process of your plan will help others visualize and enact what needs to be done.
- Writing a set of instructions is also a great way to hone instruction-taking skills and reinforce ability needed to accomplish a large project by breaking it into manageable pieces. This kind of thinking will assist in many college and workplace endeavors, especially when you are tasked with completing a larger project or research assignment.
Academic Integrity Resources:
