For this first assignment, you will compose a 3 1/2 -4 page researched essay that explains a current trend in your field. You should not merely summarize or tell me what you already know about the field but rather use this as an opportunity to research and find out something new about what is happening in your field at the present moment. Topics can range from developments in technology to new regulations or standards.

Papers should be informative but written so that a general audience may understand the material. Writing for a targeted audience is an important requirement for this assignment. One of your goals then should be to present the information in such a way that someone outside of your field can still understand the points you’re trying to make. In writing about and for a technological field, it is imperative that you try to avoid jargon or confusing, esoteric, language that would make you lose your audience, instead of grasping and maintaining their attention. For this reason, you might need to pace your discussions in such a way that you can take the time to fully explain or break down various concepts that may be virtually unknown or confusing for someone reading your paper.