Writing Materials

A primary goal of this course is to develop as a writer. As you move toward that goal throughout the semester, you will submit several writing assignments and ultimately write a final ‘white paper’ on a tech ethics topic of your choice. I have collected a number of readings on general writing, white papers, and technical writing for STEM to guide you along this process. As the semester progresses, I will assign some of these so we can build a shared understanding of technical writing. As each of us navigates our own writing journey, I encourage you to revisit these resources and glean from them tools to build your own writing toolset.

General:

• Basics on how to write a paper
• Non-empirical STEM papers
• Science writing structure
• Common mistakes to avoid in technical writing

Counterarguments: 

• Writing effective counterarguments (NY Times)
• Counterarguments (University of Nevada, Reno)
• Writing a Paper: Responding to Counterarguments (Walden U)

Making strong arguments:

Organizing Your Argument

Toulmin Method of Arguments:

1. How to write a great essay using the Toulmin Method
2. Using Toulmin's Model of Argumentation
3. WAC Writing Guides: The Toulmin Method
4. Purdue OWL: Toulmin Argument

 

TA, Ben James created this infographic to help understand the Toulmin Method of argumentation. 

 

 

White papers: 

• Masterclass: How to write a white paper
• Purdue OWL: Technical Writing: White Papers

Citation Software: 

Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research.

 

Engineering Librarian:

Willie Baer, the engineering librarian is another great resource for the entirety of the research process. His email is: wbaer@nd.edu and his office is 142 Hesburgh Library. He's always happy to strategize research with students!