Choose one of the following two options and write a 500-700 word analysis based on both the visual and textual elements of your material. Post your first paragraph -- with any accompanying thoughts or concerns you might have -- to the class listserv, by Sunday night: techwrite@listserv.arizona.edu

Option #1: Computer Fonts

Look at the fonts that are available on a computer that you use regularly.

You'll see fonts such as Arial, Courier, Monaco, Chicago, Schoolbook,Wingding, Verdana, 
and Colonna.  Create a system of classification that makes sense of the naming conventions that are used. 

What connections are there between the names and the appearance of the fonts?  As you create your system, give attention to the reasons for the categories that you find -- why, for instance, are some fonts named after cities?  Why are some given women's names (Arial, Desdemona)? Your analysis should provide both a basic classification system and some interpretation of the reasons for the apparent categories. 
 

Write an analysis of how  technology-related problems are represented in the news, advertisements, or popular culture. You can discuss hackers, viruses, hard drive crashes, or the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem. What is the point of discussing these dangers?  What kind of language is used to talk about them?  What are the reporters or advertisers trying to communicate? Analyze the purpose and audience for the discussion. What is the point of view?  How is the point of view communicated?  How does the point of view affect the way that the ideas are discussed?  What details are included? What is explained -- and what isn't?