Introductions, Documentation, Graphics, Tables, Charts, AI

Practice: Introductions

Read about introductions in the Online Textbook

  1. Go to this link to rearrange the chunks of text to create a good introduction.
  2. Copy the text above into an app such as Microsoft Word, and format it according to the instructions.
  3. Name your file with some part of your name and _introductions, for example, davidmc_documentation.docx (or whichever extension your app uses).
  4. Send this practice file by e-mail attachment to your instructor at davidm@austincc.edu.

Practice: Documentation

In this practice, study documentation (indicating sources of borrowed information), and format a sources list and in-text citations.

  1. Read the chapter on documentation.
  2. Go to this link to practice setting up the sources list and in-text citations.
  3. Copy the text above into an app such as Microsoft Word, and format it according to the instructions.
  4. Name your file with some part of your name and _documentation, for example, davidmc_documentation.docx (or whichever extension your app uses).
  5. Send this practice file by e-mail attachment to your instructor at davidm@austincc.edu.

Practice: Graphics

In this practice, study graphics and cross-referencing, and format page that includes a graphic, its figure caption (title), sources, and an explanatory cross-reference to the graohic.

  1. Read the chapters on graphics and on cross-referencing.
  2. Go to this link to practice setting up graphic as a figure and adding a figure caption (title), source, and an explanatory cross-reference to the graphic. SM9: in your technical document, where should you place the figure title (also called caption)?
  3. Copy the text and graphic above into an app such as Microsoft Word, and format it according to the instructions.
  4. Name your file with some part of your name and _graphics, for example, davidmc_graphics.docx (or whichever extension your app uses).
  5. Send this practice file by e-mail attachment to your instructor at davidm@austincc.edu.

Practice: Tables, Charts

In this practice, study tables, and format page that includes a table, its table title, source, and an explanatory cross-reference to the table.

  1. Read the chapters on tables and, if you haven't read it yet, on cross-referencing.
  2. Go to this link to practice setting up table and adding a table title, source, and an explanatory cross-reference to the table.
  3. Copy the text and graphic above into an app such as Microsoft Word, and format it according to the instructions.
  4. Name your file with some part of your name and _tables, for example, davidmc_tablescharts.docx (or whichever extension your app uses).
  5. Send this practice file by e-mail attachment to your instructor at davidm@austincc.edu.

Practice: AI

Assuming lots of people are going to use AI anyway, let's build it into this course:

  1. First, watch this video on accessing and asking ChatGPT questions. (Use any AI chat you prefer.) This video includes on getting ChatGPT to paraphrase and summarize.
  2. Read these notes on citing ChatGPT as the source of your information.
  3. For your final report topic, or a topic you are interested in, ask ChatGPT (or your preferred AI System) questions about it. 
  4. Important: set up a bibliographic entry for your AI chat source. Use this format:
    5. Prompt: “Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.” ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version. Accessed 8 Mar. 2023.

    Notice that the entire prompt issued by a student is enclosed in quotation marks and is preceded by "Prompt:"

  5. Copy and send the prompt you used, the response you got, and your bibliographic entry to davidm@austincc.edu

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