Assignment: Paper

Instructions:

This paper is expected to be at least one page single spaced or two pages double spaced not counting a bibliography if you have one. Please use something like font size 12, Times New Roman font (or a reasonable font, ask if you aren't sure), reasonable margins, *.doc, *.docx, or *.txt format. All papers must include your name, date , and, if appropriate, section number at the top. All papers must have a descriptive title. All papers must have excellent content and perfect spelling and grammar. Please work with the Writing Center if you need help writing good papers.

Note: we are asking you to write an informative paper of at least the specified length. If you simply answer questions without providing any additional thought or insight, or if you repeat the same information or ideas multiple times, you are unlikely to get full points on this paper.

You have a choice of topics for this paper. You may either write a paper about change and growth, or a research paper, or you may ask the instructor for approval of a topic of your choice. Instructions for the first two topics follow.

Change and Growth:

People rarely make lasting change by trying harder. In general, lasting change is only made by doing things differently. This topic allows you to consider changes you may want to make, perhaps in your life, goals, habits, or results. Once you identify one or more things you would like to be different in your life we suggest you look around to see how other people seem to do these things (or perhaps consult with them), and/or do some research about other goals that may interest you and/or tactics to achieve these. If you use any sources, remember you must cite them in some form of bibliography.

Remember Henry David Thoreau's quotation, "In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high." If you choose this topic we hope the things you talk about will describe a person you truly hope to become. What we hope is that this will be, not an expectation to live up to, but rather a possibility for you to live into..

Research Paper:

This paper REQUIRES research. Therefore, it must include a brief bibliography section in addition to the one page single-spaced or two pages double-spaced text. This bibliography must include at least two references. You must include brief quotations or facts from your references in your paper. Be sure to cite them appropriately. .

Choose from:

• Topic 1: Research and write about state of the art innovations in computer science or in the major you intend to pursue.
• Topic 2: Choose a “current event” in a field of technology. Possible examples might include cloud computing, hand held device operating systems, etc..
• Topic 3: If possible we would like you to pick a topic that interests you. If neither of the above appeals to you and you have a different topic you would prefer to research, please write to course instructors with a brief alternate proposal no later than a week before the paper is due.

Regardless of which topic you choose please:

• Include information in the title or first line of the paper telling us which topic you have chosen.
• Provide some background or context about the technology or situation you are discussing. Talk about the current (or recent) state.
• Provide information about what is going on that makes this interesting. For example, for the first topic you might include information about issues and opportunities that the new technology intends to address.
• Provide information about the implications, direction, or expected future, based on your research. This might include things such as a discussion of advantages and disadvantages that a technology offers compared to the present solution or a discussion of pros and cons and trade-offs, or an analysis of different points of view in an argument and your view about the best answer and why you believe this.