This is a low-stakes assignment that chiefly asked my ENG 259 students –most of whom aspire to enter a world of science and engineering in the future– to reflect on how certain advances in technology are inaccessible to millions of human beings, which, unfortunately, could be fatal, as demonstrated by the current pandemic.

This assignment is a follow-up of an interesting discussion held in class on the importance of using ethos, pathos and logos correctly in order to persuade readers. For this discussion, our main source was the textbook Technical Writing Essentials: Introduction to Professional Communications in the Technical Field by Suzan Last (Chapter 2 Unit 3: “Writing to Persuade”).

This assignment and Chapter 2 Unit 3 in Last’s book were crucial for the whole semester as the students were asked to effectively implement ethos, pathos, and logos in two high-stakes assignments –both of which were written afterwards– that are clearly related to Option 1 and Option 2. Just in case, I have attached the guidelines for the two high-stakes assignments in question, the Business Plan and the Report on a Global Issue, for everyone to see their relevance to Option 1 and Option 2, respectively.

Reflection Assignment
ENG 259 – Spring I, 2022
Technical Writing

Option 1:

Reflect on an electronic gadget that has been created –or upgraded– within the last 10 years which contributes to your emotional well-being on a daily basis. Based on your research on the median household income in some neighborhoods in New York City, do all New Yorkers have equal access to the electronic gadget that you are reflecting on? What are your thoughts on this?

You must write a minimum of 400 words and at least 3 paragraphs.

Option 2:

Reflect on a 21st-century technological invention that has helped save lives in our current battle against COVID-19. What were some of the major barriers that may have prevented the largest number possible of human beings across the U.S. and/or the world from gaining access to this technological
invention?

You must write a minimum of 400 words and at least 3 paragraphs.