Theory of writing

Writing has always been a challenging yet important aspect of my academic career. It is the tool that I have used to communicate my research to a given audience. Throughout this semester, my theory of writing has changed dramatically in that the methods and practices that I have learned in this class has enabled my ability to express my views more effectively. Several rhetorical devices, such as audience, tone, purpose, and word choice have been crucial to my improvement in writing. Brainstorming, drafting, peer reviews, group work, and revisions have also helped me to accomplish my utmost potential in this class.

Audience and Tone

Learning to identify the specific audience of a paper has helped me to focus my viewpoints and provide a more understandable argument. For example, in the technical description of a lock and key, the intended audience was manufacturers and safety regulators. Knowing this, I was obligated to bring up certain aspects of the technology that were relevant to these people such as listing the materials and densities. The job of a technical description is not just to inform, but to persuade. My use of an assertive tone and word choice is a practice that I was forced to learn while writing this paper because of its persuasive nature. For example, words such as absolutely, and undeniably came in handy when trying to convince readers of the importance of safety, in the manufacturing of a lock and key. Hence, identifying the audience and the practice of an assertive tone, both helped to effectively strengthen the arguments in my technical description through improving the writing aspect.

Purpose Analysis 

Purpose is a rhetorical term that describes the main objective and explains the reasons for a piece of writing. Another important thing that I have learned this semester is that by understanding the purpose behind an innovation, one can write more effectively. For example, for the group proposal, my task was to write a technical description of the fire hydrant cap. If I did not fully understand why this invention was useful, and what it could do to improve the conservation of water, I would have never convinced my audience of how the system works. The valve seal, complements the copper tubing, and paints the picture for the audience to visualize how the fire hydrant cap will reduce water loss through its plumbing system. Another very useful method that was practiced this semester was brainstorming in the form of outlines. I found that creating outlines propelled the drafting process into a very smooth transition. This is because when drafting without an outline one has too many disorganized points that need to be discussed and do not fall into place properly. An outline completely eliminated his problem through chronologically listing each point along with specific examples under each one.

Writing Process 

Drafting has always been a part of my personal writing process which greatly prepared me for the lessons in this class. Before submitting a paper, I must have at least two drafts thoroughly checked before I could be proud of my work. I simply believe that drafting takes away the stress of time management as well because the work is spread out. One thing in this class that was previously unfamiliar to me but I found surprisingly helpful was peer review. It is never easy to see your own flaws, which is why, handing my drafts to my friends shined the light on all of my writing weaknesses that I had not allowed myself to see. For example, a problem that I had was my lack of descriptive language in my writing. The more that people viewed my work, the more flaws they would find, and eventually the papers would improve. I also started to notice that my papers for my Theater History class had also improved because I implemented more descriptive analysis. Reviewing other people’s works filled me with new ideas that I had implemented in some of my own. The importance of revision cannot be understated as it is what we had done the most besides drafting. No matter how many times we would revise a paragraph I do not think that we ever truly felt satisfied with what we had. However, we did the best that we could and I am proud of that. Hence, the importance of revision, group work, and drafting is not to be understated as they have dramatically improved my writing this semester.

Rhetorical Strategies in Robotics Lab Reports Reflection

Purpose Analysis

The main purpose of The Rhetorical Strategies in Robotics Lab Reports essay was to prove the following thesis statement on rhetorical strategies. (Current Urology Reports, 2017) is superior in aspects of assertive tone, strong vocabulary, and outstanding use of visual aids (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) and (Lab Chip, 2021) because of its success in providing easy to understand results and a more descriptive analysis of their research. As the author, I attempted to examine each section of these three lab reports chronologically and compare their use of tone, vocabulary, and visual aids. Citing vocabulary, images, and quotes as evidence played a major role in my ability to prove why (Current Urology Reports, 2017) had the best use of rhetorical strategies.

Exigence and Genre Analysis

One large motivation I had as a writer to prove the thesis was my genuine admiration of the superior lab’s structure and format. As I was reading (Current Urology Reports, 2017), it became very clear that this lab was a more assertive, captivating, and descriptive piece of writing. As for the characteristics of this essay, it starts with an explanation of why this lab has an assertive tone over the others, which is useful when trying to convince readers of your results. This is followed by a comparison of the authors, word choice, and how this lab’s strong vocabulary made it stand out and easy to agree with. Finally, it ends with an analysis of how the author of (Current Urology Reports, 2017) usage of a visual graph, helped to convince his audience of the importance of robotics education in surgery. This essay puts into perspective how crucial and advanced the use of rhetorical strategies has in writing.

Audience and Effect on Course-Learning Outcomes

The audience of this essay ranges from anyone who wants to understand how rhetorical strategies allow authors to make their writings stronger as well as my fellow classmates and professor. My goal as a student was to also make my writing easy to understand and very descriptive. This is why I had to revisit my previous points in the revision process and add more detail through the use of vocabulary. This essay has very significantly improved my understanding of certain rhetorical strategies. I also believe that I have become a better writer in that now I understand the different tools an author has at his or her disposal to not only strengthen their arguments but make them easier to understand.

Reflection for Technical Description of Lock and Key

Purpose Analysis

A technical description of a lock and key serves several important purposes. First, it provides an in-depth explanation of the lock’s design and functionality, which is very useful to locksmiths, security professionals, and anyone curious in understanding how locks work. Second, it helps engineers to produce locks and keys that meet specific requirements, such as those related to durability, security, and compatibility with other systems. Finally, it can be used as a reliable reference for the maintenance, and repair of locks and keys. My technical description of a lock and key began with an overview of the lock’s components and their functions. This included information on the types of materials used in the lock’s construction, such as steel, brass, and titanium, as well as the different types of keys that can be used to operate the lock. The description also covered the different types of locks available, such as pin-tumbler locks, wafer locks, or disc locks, and how they differ in terms of functionality and security. In conclusion, a technical description of a lock and key serves a vital role in providing crucial information about the functioning, design, and security features of locks and keys. 

Exigence and Genre Analysis

This essay’s most significant characteristics include the basic functionality, spring loaded chambers, rotation of key, and five sense analysis of a lock and key. The technical description has an assertive tone that I learned to implement from the rhetorical analysis. My points are all thoroughly explained and I used a strong word choice throughout the writing. Finally, the use of visual aids also helped to communicate to the readers of the validity of my description.

Audience and Effect on Course-Learning Outcomes

This technical description of a lock and key has a large intended audience. This essay may provide guidance on the maintenance and repair of locks. This essay would help those who seek to rekey a lock, replace a lost key, or add a lubricator in the lock’s internal components. My goal as a student was to also make my writing as descriptive as possible for my audience to understand this complex item. This is why each section of my essay explains a small specific part of the lock mechanism. In the revision process, I added more descriptive details through the use of strong vocabulary. My understanding of certain rhetorical strategies very significantly improved because of this essay. In conclusion, I have become a better writer in that now I understand the importance of strong vocabulary, descriptive detail, and conscious inclusion of all components.

Reflection for Proposal and Presentation of Fire Hydrant Sprinkler Cap

Purpose Analysis

The task I was assigned to complete was the technical description of the Sprinkler Cap body, case, water valve seal, and sprinkler head. Firstly technical descriptions of fire hydrant caps are important for ensuring that they are safe to use. Fire hydrant caps must be designed and created with safety as a priority to prevent accidents and injuries. Technical descriptions of fire hydrant caps include information about their safety precautions, such as pressure relief valves, and locking mechanisms. This information is crucial because accidents and injuries can occur if fire hydrant caps are not designed with proper safety features in mind. Secondly, technical descriptions of fire hydrant caps are important for making sure that they are cost-effective. Fire hydrant caps are a profitable investment, and fire departments need to ensure that they get the most quality for their money. Technical descriptions of fire hydrant caps should include information about their cost, performance, and durability, to make sure that they are cost-effective over a long period of time. 

Exigence and Genre Analysis

This essay’s most significant characteristics include a five sense description of the sprinkler cap’s basic functionality, case, sprinkler head, and water valve seal. The technical description has an assertive tone that I learned to implement from the first technical description I wrote. My points are all explained in detail and I used a strong vocabulary throughout the writing. Finally, the use of a visual aid in my section also helped to communicate to the readers of the validity of my description.

Audience and Effect on Course-Learning Outcomes

The intended audience for this essay would be fire departments and their personnel. Firefighters and other personnel would be the main audience for a new and improved fire hydrant cap. These people are the ones who use fire hydrants daily, and they need to be able to rely on strong caps to protect the hydrant’s water supply and provide them with the access to water they need to fight fires. Another potential audience would be manufacturers of fire hydrant components. Companies that manufacture fire hydrant components, including fire hydrant caps, would also be very curious about an invention that improves the fire hydrant cap. They may be able to use the new technology into their own products and offer the new fire hydrant caps to their customers. In conclusion, my  comprehension  of certain rhetorical strategies very significantly improved because of this essay. 

Summary:

Current Fire Hydrants are opened easily in the community illegally and this creates many issues throughout the community. The idea behind our innovation of a new Fire hydrant cap was to create a hydrant cap that will allow for public access to the water in a fire hydrant without creating significant water loss that would affect the surrounding fire hydrants as well. The redesign to traditional fire hydrants will implement a sprinkler system that would allow the community access to the water on a hot day. It will also have a lever to control the water flow of the hydrant for the sprinkler system. This solves the issue with significant water loss from on illegally opened fire hydrants and still allows the public access to the water supply. It will also have a lock and key exclusive to fire fighters to be able to unlock and lock the full pressure of a hydrant this would allow for more effective actions from firefighters and a quicker response to fires in the community.

Contents

Press Release ————————————————————————————————–3

Introduction ———————————————————————————————-    4

Technical Description ————————————————————————————— 5

Water Valve Seal and Copper Tube —————————————————————5

Sprinkler Head and Gear System —————————————————————– 6

Casing or Body and Handle ———————————————————————– 7

Tubular Lock ————————————————————————————————- 8

Keyhole ———————————————————————————————- 9

Key —————————————————————————————————- 9

Lock Latch —————————————————————————————– 10

Lever ———————————————————————————————— 11

Innovation Process —————————————————————————————– 12

3.1 Materials ————————————————————————————— 12

3.2 Labor Cost ————————————————————————————- 13

Benefits and conclusions ————————————————————————- 14

Appendix——————————————————————————————– 14

A, B, J, W       For Immediate Release: 5/1/23

Jawb Inc.

123-456-7891

Jawb@gproject.com

Jawb Inc. announces proposal for an improved Fire Hydrant Cap

Engineering students create a redesign to traditional Hydrant Caps

Manhattan, NY: Jawb Inc., a group of engineering students seeking possible improvements in NY, announced a redesign to the Fire Hydrant Caps seen all over NY. Jawb inc., introduces a new Fire Hydrant Cap that would allow the public to have access to water during the hot seasons to cool off and firefighters more effective water pressure to fend off fires in the neighborhood.

“ This redesign will greatly improve how firefighters will be able to fight fires during the hot seasons especially when others in the neighborhood seek water from the hydrants for some refreshing fun” says Alejandro Guadalupe, Group member of Jawb Inc.

Benefits from the Hydrant cap redesign include:

• A water control lever that will allow for better control over the water pressure released when opening a fire hydrant.
• A sprinkler head that will allow the public open access to the water from a hydrant during the hot seasons to cool off
• A Tubular lock accessible only to firefighters which will allow them to have complete access to the hydrants water pressure

About us: Jawb Inc., is a group of engineering students currently attending CCNY in Manhattan, NY. Jawb has been working to purpose improvements in NY that will benefit the residents that face the many problems in the city. Their main goal is to make NY a better city not for themselves but to all of NY as a whole.

Introduction

Fire hydrants have been used for 100 years as a method to keep cool but are there any alternatives? In short words, yes, for the last 100 years fire hydrants have been open in urban areas to keep cool during the many heat waves in New York. However, in the 1950’s the New York government banned and restricted the use of fire hydrants to save water. 

While restriction was high many civilians in the urban areas continued to open fire hydrants for their enjoyment. During the same time as the ban, New York fire departments started giving out spray caps to help reduce the amount of water loss. Although this was implemented, people had little to none accessibility to these spray caps due the long procedures and requirements mandated by the state to obtain a spray cap. While fire hydrants were made for the purpose of fighting fires with the impact of the community and open hydrants it has caused significant water loss and a decrease in water pressure of the surrounding hydrants making it difficult to complete its task of assisting firefighters in fighting fires. What we hope to accomplish with our proposal is to provide the community with a more accessible sprinkler cap, allow for a better control of water pressure and water loss, and provide firefighters with a more effective water pressure to better fight fires in the community.

Technical Description:

Water Valve Seal and Copper Tube

            Because New York is a dense region, our fire hydrants release 500 to 1500 gallons of water per minute which is precisely why the sprinkler cap is needed to reduce this loss. Firstly, the seal that grips the water valve is made of rubber to prevent any water from leaking from the sides of our design. This rubber seal has a large hole and is supported by a cast iron behind it. This is to create enough pressure against the fire hydrant while also maintaining a strong seal. Additionally, the strong seal complements the copper tubing attached to it. This tubing system is made of copper because this is what is used commonly in areas of plumbing. Water should flow with a decrease in pressure to the sprinkler head. This is because our valve seal will be small enough to only let a certain amount of water through the pipe, hence, decreasing the pressure. To explain in more detail, the object that the sprinkler cap is first to be in contact with water from the fire hydrant, will have a filter of sorts. It is described as a filter because it will be designed to look like a drain with small holes in it to only allow a desired pressure of water through. This will of course be directly controlled through a handle or lever that will be controlled by the public which will ultimately accomplish the goal of saving water. 

Expanding on the mechanism of the copper tube, organization is a very important factor. This copper tube extends just outside of the valve seal, and it is about 2 inches in diameter. It is a straight pipe that curves 90° and goes directly upwards to the sprinkler head mechanism. Usually when copper pipes are curved to become 90° pipes, they require a curved piece in which both the pipes will be mounted to. This process is done through welding, which is when two metal components are melted together through the use of a blow torch. The blow torch will heat up a welding stick that will cover the circumference of the pipes that will successfully seal them. If the copper tubing has no leaks, it will then be mounted onto our invention. Copper plumbing is very familiar with the use of threads on pipes that allow plumbers to screw things into each other tightly. That is why we will be utilizing these threads in our copper pipes. Our 90° three piece pipe will be screwed into the sprinkler head and the valve seal before the process of welding. This screwing feature along with the use of a water sealing tape called teflon, gives us an ample seal that prohibits any water leakage inside of our sprinkler cap. 

Sprinkler Head and Gear System 

Once the water travels through the valve seal, it then makes its way to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head is pointed upwards and is also adjustable through the use of the lever. The sprinkler head is located on the left of the design that is directly above the valve seal. To prevent vandalism, this sprinkler head has a cast-iron casing which can only be penetrated through the use of power tools. One would have to use an angle grinder to possibly destroy our invention which people do not commonly have the knowledge to operate. Because this sprinkler head is adjustable, there are also limitations to its adjustments in the concern of safety. Through the use of the lever, the public can tilt the sprinkler head 90° to 45°. This feature has a wide range of benefits, such as people being able to wash their cars and children having the ability to refresh themselves from the hot sun. Firemen will be grateful for the increased pressure that they will have access to during emergencies. Hence, the sprinkler head creates numerous benefits to the public and prevents a massive loss of water.

Figure 9: Sprinkler Diagram

Dykstra, J. (2023). 6 Different Types of Sprinkler Heads for Landscaping (Buying Guide). [Diagram]. https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-sprinkler-heads/.

The gear system behind the sprinkler head involves two simple components. One is the joint and the other is a lever. The lever will be placed on a joint which pivots at 90° to 45° in reference to the body of the sprinkler cap. Now in order for the lever to turn the sprinkler head, it will need to be geared up properly. This means that there will be a 1 inch gear mounted on the joint of the lever and another 1 inch gear mounted on the joint of the sprinkler head. These gears will then mesh together to create a mechanism that turns up and down. In order for the gears to mesh properly, they will need to have lubrication, which will be in the form of oil such as the oil that is used cars. The benefits of using this gear mechanism is that it avoids the consumption of electricity. The public will be able to use their own strength to operate this sprinkler cap, rather than having to pay taxes to provide maintenance costs on electricity. This invention will quickly save the community large amounts of money through its almost nonexistent maintenance costs.

Casing or Body and Handle 

           The casing of this sprinkler cap perfectly compliments its interior components. On the far right of the case as shown in figure 2, cast iron surrounds the tubular lock making sure that the lock stays in place and works effectively. There are not many empty spaces in this build to prevent components from shifting in any way. When working with mechanical moving parts, such as gears, it is important that there is lubrication as well as proper organization. This is why, in figure 2, the gear systems are kept within the body of the sprinkler cap. They exist within the casing allowing the system to operate without unwanted contact between different components.

Furthermore, the teeth of the sprinkler cap that mounts onto the fire hydrant has threads on it meaning that there will be a certain grip on the cap. Other fire hydrant caps on the market have threats that screw on to fire hydrants hence, sealing water. However, our sprinkler cap has no plans to screw onto anything therefore we added the threads to the mound for the adequate friction we desired. Even though the sprinkler cap does not screw onto the fire hydrant, it will have threads that will penetrate the fire hydrant threads which will create an unmovable hold. The mount will be complemented by the lock system, which will be further described later in this technical description. The mount will be held very firmly against the fire hydrant through the use of a lock system. 

Tubular Lock

For our sprinkler cap, we chose to implement a tubular lock to prevent civilians from opening the fire hydrants. A tubular lock was an ideal choice to prevent unauthorized opening of the hydrant’s valve due to its non-traditional keyhole and pin quantity. Our tubular lock consists of 8 sets of pins total. Pins are the main focal point of a lock’s functionality as the pins are what allow a lock to open and close.  A tubular lock’s pins function a bit differently in comparison to traditional locks in the sense that tubular lock pins are moved horizontally as opposed to vertically (Douglas, 2016). The key pins of a tubular lock function similarly to a puzzle, the key pins must align the driver pins in a uniformed order so the shear line is not obstructed to prevent turning.The spring behind the driver pins are what reset the tubular lock back into it’s locked state once the key is removed.

Keyhole

The keyhole in a tubular lock isn’t the traditional vertical shape most key locks have but is a circular hole instead. The circular hole makes it much more difficult to pick the lock as there are few items which might be able to fit to successfully pick the lock. Although not foolproof, its odd shape might discourage civilians from attempting to open the lock.

Key

The tubular lock’s key is a smooth cylindrical shaped key with rectangular ridges placed exactly where the key pins are placed in the interior of the tubular lock. The ridges are designed to move the key pins inwards, pushing the driver pins forward to align with the shear line. Once aligned to the shear line, the key will allow the lock to turn and open.

Lock Latch

The lock latch is crucial to the functionality of the tubular lock as it is what prevents the removal of the hydrant cap. The lock latch functions by swinging along with the motion of the key once inserted into the keyhole. The latch in theory would hold onto the ridges at the bottom of the hydrant’s valve. Thus, preventing further water loss from the hydrant cap’s removal. 

Lever

The function of the hydrant cap’s lever would be to provide a support system for the firemen to be able to remove the hydrant in a swifter manner. The lever would be attached to the front of the hydrant cap. The lever would be made out of cast iron which is the same material as the hydrant cap itself. For comfort, the lever would also include a rubber grip as well.

Innovation Process

3.1 materials 

Our innovation to the fire hydrant cap will consist of many different materials during the production process. The water Valve seal and Copper tube will be made of copper since it is resistant to water and its a common material used in plumbing. The lock system will be made of Nickel-Plated Zinc since it is a strong material that can also be a quickly locked an unlocked with a key allowing for a faster action from firefighters to access the water of a hydrant. The Hydrant cap and handle will be made of Cast iron like any traditional fire hydrant because it is heavy duty and can endure harsh conditions and rust. The gears are brass because thats a material that is resistant against rust which would allow for a longer lifetime. The grip and seal would be rubber to bring comfort to the cast iron handle and also keep water from leaking outside the hydrant during its use. In New York City there are around 110,000 fire hydrants so from a rough estimate of the cost of materials the budget of materials would stand at around 3.8 million dollars.

Description	material	Cost
Water Valve Seal and Copper Tube	Copper	$3.90 per pound
Tubular Lock	Nickel-Plated Zinc	$1.2016 X $10.982 lb
Key	Nickel-Plated Zinc	$1.2016 X $10.982 lb
Fire hydrant cap	Cast Iron	$0.63 per lb
Handle	Cast Iron	$0.63 per lb
Gears	Brass	$1.76 per lb
Handle Grip and seal	Rubber	$1.27 per lb
Total Cost:	Total mounts:110,000 hydrants	3,804,013.66

3.2 Labor Cost:

The labor cost for our innovation will consist of a group of plumbers that are licensed to service fire hydrants. They will be responsible for implementing our new hydrant cap to the fire hydrants around New York and they get paid 72 dollars per hour. Majority of the pieces to create our new hydrant will be bought from current suppliers with the prices ranging from as low as 6 dollars to 142 dollars. This allows for a quick manufacturing process since we can do a mass order of the parts. A transporter is also necessary in the process because they will transport the finished product to their designated area so that the plumbers can begin implementing the new hydrants around New York.

Description	Labor	cost
Service the fire hydrants	Plumber	$72 per hour
Moving the finish products to their designated location	Transporter	$14-17 per hour
The Hydrant cap supplier	Hydrant cap Vendors	$73.47 per cap
The Rubber grip on the lever	Handle Vendors	$5.63 per handle
The Shower head feature	Shower Head Vendors (E)	$142.00 per showerhead
The gears that control the water flow	Brass Gears	$16.61 per gear
Restricts the public from releasing the full force of the water	Tubular lock and key	$40.96 per set

Benefits and conclusions: 

Our innovation aims to solve the problem with the current fire hydrant caps, which adversely affect the community. When fire hydrants are opened, they release over 1,000 gallons per minute, causing a decrease in water pressure and resulting in less water being available for firefighters to fight fires. This situation is dangerous and can lead to unnecessary loss of lives. The purpose of our innovation is to create a fire hydrant cap that can avoid these issues related to water flow in hydrants. Our innovation seeks to provide public access to use and stay cool, maintain accessibility for firefighters, reduce water pressure in fire hydrants, and significantly decrease water loss. So to conclude this innovation does help not only the people in new york in hot and dry seasons but can help the fire fighters save lives and even reduce the mass watter loss.

Appendix:

	Alejandro Guadalupe	Brandon Vasquez	Jenny Mata	William Gomezcoello
Tasks done by 4/24	Press release	Introduction	Tech description of the Lock	Tech description of water seal
Task done by 4/26	Innovation Process	Innovation Process	Tech description of the Lever	Tech Description of Hydrant body
Task done by 5/1	Innovation process	Innovation Process	Tech description of the key	Tech description of Sprinkler system

References

Casting, Y. (2022). Cast Iron Price | Gray Cast Iron | Ductile Cast Iron | Yide Casting. Yide Casting. https://www.yidecasting.com/cast-iron-price/

Copper Prices – 45 Year Historical Chart. (n.d.). MacroTrends. https://www.macrotrends.net/1476/copper-prices-historical-chart-data

Daily Metal Price: Copper Price (USD / Pound) for the Last Month. (n.d.). https://www.dailymetalprice.com/metalprices.php

DEP Issues Safety Alert on Opening Fire Hydrants. (n.d.). https://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/10-69pr.shtml

Douglas, J., & Douglas, J. (2016). A Guide to Tubular Locks. CLK SUPPLIES, LLC. https://www.clksupplies.com/blogs/news/a-guide-to-tubular-locks

Dykstra, J., & Dykstra, J. (2023). 6 Different Types of Sprinkler Heads for Landscaping (Buying Guide). Home Stratosphere. https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-sprinkler-heads/

File:Tubular Lock and Key.jpg – Wikimedia Commons. (2016, March 12). https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tubular_Lock_and_Key.jpg&oldid=503691432.

File:Tubular locked.png – Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tubular_locked.png&oldid=482198941.

File:Tubular with key.png – Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tubular_with_key.png&oldid=533742366.

Giles, J. (2019, August 19). Fire Hydrants Have Been New York’s Cool Solution for 100 Years. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/fire-hydrants-new-york-vintage-photos.html

Gomezcoello, William (2023). Figure 1. April 26, 2023

Hennessy, S. (2019). As Summer Temperatures Escalate Opening Fire Hydrants Becomes a Problem. Kinetix Fire. https://kinetixfire.com/as-summer-temperatures-escalate-opening-fire-hydrants-becomes-a-problem/

International Code Council (ICC). (n.d.). 2020 FIRE CODE OF NEW YORK STATE | ICC DIGITAL CODES. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/NYSFC2020P1/appendix-c-fire-hydrant-locations-and-distribution

JCBIZ, B. (n.d.-b). Tubular Lock With Latch. Amazon. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from JCBIZ, B. (n.d.). JCBIZ 16mm thread tubular cam lock keyed alike security … – amazon.com. Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/JCBIZ-Security-Furniture-Hardware-Quincunx/dp/B07K7GDT35 . 

Mata, Jenny (2023) Figure 3. April 29, 2023

Mata, Jenny (2023) Figure 7. May 1, 2023

McMaster-Carr. (n.d.-a). https://www.mcmaster.com/products/gears/material~brass/

McMaster-Carr. (n.d.-b). https://www.mcmaster.com/products/fire-hydrant-caps/

McMaster-Carr. (n.d.-c). https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tubular-locks/

McMaster-Carr. (n.d.-d). https://www.mcmaster.com/products/grips/?s=rubber+grips

Pow, A. (2021). Fire Hydrant Cost – In 2023 – The Pricer. The Pricer. https://www.thepricer.org/fire-hydrant-cost/

Shibboleth Authentication Request. (n.d.). https://link-gale-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/apps/doc/A427134453/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=0b2a1f71

Ugc. (2023, May 5). The Oldest Fire Hydrant in New Orleans. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-birdsill-holly-fire-hydrant-new-orleans-louisiana

Zurn Wilkins 975XLHBM Fire Hydrant Backflow Meter Combination. (n.d.). MasterBuilder Mercantile Inc. https://masterbuildermercantile.com/products/zurn-wilkins-975xlhbm-fire-hydrant-backflow-meter-combination?

This photo was taken using my iPhone 13 at 1:00 PM on April 14, 2023, during a gardening session with my parents. This gardening session took place in my backyard located in Flushing Queens.

Firstly, my parents took me to Home Depot where we purchased the flowers and soil. Next, we had to clear the entire backyard of the weeds that are harmful to the other plants. After digging the weeds out from the roots, we dug holes in the soil where we would plant each flower. Each hole needed to be spread out to maintain the desired aesthetic. Finally, we poured the soil into the holes and placed each plant in its position.

Although gardening was labor-intensive, I enjoyed the process because I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my family. Not only did gardening give me something to occupy my mind with, but I also felt a sense of accomplishment after making my backyard look beautiful.

Gomezcoello, W (2023, April 14). Planting Flowers [Photograph]. Taken by iPhone.

Table of Contents

Introduction/History……………………………………………………………………………….1

Basic Functionality………………………………………………………………………………..2

Key Functionality………………………………………………………………………………….2

Shearline and Pin Functionality…………………………………………………………………2-3

Hook and Lock Mechanism……………………………………………………………………….4

Description of Key………………………………………………………………………………4-5

Spring Loaded Chambers……………………………………………………………………….5-6

Latch Description……………………………………………………………………………….6-7

Metal Exterior and Shackle……………………………………………………………………..7-8

Five Sense Analysis…………………………………………………………………………….8-9

Rotation of Key……………………………………………………………………………….9-10

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………..10-11

Introduction/History

The lock and key are two of the oldest inventions known to mankind. A lock is a mechanical device that is used to provide security for a door or a container, and a key is a tool used to release a lock. The invention of the lock and key has played a fundamental role in human history, as it has allowed people to protect their property, and to create secure environments. The history of the lock and key stems from ancient times, with the earliest locks dating back to around 2000 BCE in Egypt. These locks were made of wood and were relatively simple, consisting of a wooden bolt that was secured in place with a wooden key (Dimri, 2020, p. 7). The Romans also used locks, which were made of bronze metal and were much more sophisticated than the Egyptian locks. As technology progressed, so did the design of key locks. The introduction of mass production techniques in the early 20th century led to the production of padlocks on a large scale, making them more affordable and accessible to the general public. With the rise of electronic and digital technology, new lock and key designs emerged, including those that use more complex data, such as fingerprints, to unlock (Wang et al., 2020, p. 4). In conclusion, the lock and key have come a long way since its humble beginnings as a wooden contraption in ancient Egypt. Over time, it has evolved into a sophisticated locking tool that has been fundamental in securing valuable items and properties for centuries. Today, with the advancements in technology, locks continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of society. 

Basic Functionality

A lock and key is a device used to secure a container, safe, door, or any object of value. The lock consists of several mechanisms that include a housing tube and casing, a pin system, a latch, and a mechanism for operating the pins. The key is used to operate and penetrate the mechanism in order to unlock the pins. The housing or casing of the lock is made of metal which provides a protective surrounding area for the internal components. The latch is a metal rod that slides in and out of the lock area and connects to a corresponding latch on the desired item to be locked. When the latch is in the locked position, the lock is now prevented from opening and acts as a form of security for an object. The mechanism for operating the main circular key insertion hole consists of a series of pins or tumblers that must be aligned in a specific pattern before the key is able to rotate, and the latch to release. When the key enters the circular insertion hole of the lock, it pushes the spring-loaded pins or tumblers into the specific position, which allows the latch to be moved out and the lock to be opened.

Key Functionality

The key is an incredibly useful tool that is designed to fit into a specific lock, and operate its internal mechanism. Keys are almost always made of metal and are cut or shaped in numerous ways to fit different types of specific combinations inside locks. The teeth of the key are designed to directly mirror the shape of the pins or tumblers inside of the lock mechanism, allowing for a perfect alignment position to unlock. 

Shearline and Pin Functionality

There is no question that the lock and key are essential devices that are used for the security of numerous spaces, ranging from safes, to cabinets, houses, and other objects. The main function of a lock and key is to allow exclusive access to a particular space or object. The pins or tumblers inside the lock mechanism are very crucial to this main function. A lock is made up of several mechanisms, including the main circular pin area, that the key penetrates, and the locking system itself. These unique parts of the keyhole or cylinder, the pins, and the lock all work together, in order to lock and release the main latch. The keyhole or cylinder is a cylindrical piece of metal that’s main function is to accept the key for rotation. Inside this cylindrical metal piece are six small holes called pin chambers, which hold the pins and springs. The plug is a durable but small, cylindrical piece of metal that is located near the latch and also fits inside the keyhole as well. The key is inserted into the lock in order to rotate the plug, which then opens and releases the latch. The pins inside a lock are made of brass because brass is a durable enough material. These pins or tumblers are cylindrical in shape, and they have a pattern that follows different sizes and lengths. Every pin has a pointed end, and a flat end. The flat end pins are referred to as the bottom pins, and the pointed end ones are named the driver pins. The bottom pins are slightly longer than the driver pins above them. The purpose of the pins inside a lock mechanism is to prevent the plug from rotating unless the correct key with the right pattern enters the lock. When the right key is inserted into the mechanism, it pushes the pins up into the cylinder grooves. The pins are each engineered to rest in a specific position inside the pin chambers. The key functions by aligning the pins at the shear line, which is the small boundary between the plug and the cylinder. If a false key is inserted into the mechanism, the pins will not meet the required length at the shear line, and the plug will remain stiff. This prevents the lock from opening, and thus, prevents any unauthorized access to the secured object. In conclusion, the pins inside a lock play a very important role in the mechanism’s overall function in a lock. They prevent the plug from turning unless the right key is used on the lock. Through aligning each of the pins at the shear line in their chambers, the key allows the plug to rotate, opening the lock. 

Hook and Lock Mechanism

Furthermore, the lock and key are used to secure a large variety of objects and spaces, from homes and offices to safes and luggage. The hook of a lock has a critical function that plays a big role in the locking mechanism. To understand the function of the hook, it is important to understand the anatomy of the mechanism in this specific area of the lock. This area consists of a body, a shackle, and a latching mechanism. The key is used to unlock the lock by engaging with the latching area inside the upper region of the lock body. The shackle is the part of the lock that is wrapped around the object being secured. The hook is another main component of the locking mechanism that secures the shackle in its proper position. It is a metal tube with a curved end that extends from the lock body directly into the shackle. When the lock is penetrated by the key, the hook transfers into the shackle and does not allow it to be opened. The hook works by engaging with a dented piece in the shackle. When the shackle is inserted into the lock, the hook goes into the dented piece which creates a strong bond between the shackle and the lock body. The hook is also spring-loaded in this position, which keeps it pushed up against the shackle waiting for the key to release it. The hook was engineered in the shape of the letter U to prevent tampering and picking. Because the hook is curved, it fits firmly into the dented piece of the shackle which makes it difficult to open without the key. Furthermore, some locks have multiple hooks and pins to allow for better security however, this lock only has one. In conclusion, the hook of a lock is a crucial mechanism of the lock and key that provides security and keeps the shackle in place. It is shaped and engineered to prevent obstruction, which makes it a useful feature for any lock and key. Through learning the function of the hook we can better comprehend its useful purpose in the grand lock mechanism.

(Evans, 2020, p. 15)

Description of Key

A key is a small, uniquely engineered device that is used to open a lock. It is a simple tool that has several main components, each of which has a unique role in the key’s ability to open a lock, efficiently. How these critical components of a key work together to unlock a lock is as follows. The blade is the main part of the key that is inserted into the lock. This is the metal thin piece that is cut, or grinded into a specific pattern that matches the configuration of the pin mechanism in the lock. Another name for the blade is the shank. This blade enters the lock, to align the pins or tumblers within the cylindrical mechanism to allow the interior to rotate clockwise. The bow is the part of the key that is utilized by the person unlocking the lock. This part of the key is thicker than the blade, and has a more unique design than the blade to distinguish it from other keys. The bow also allows users to grip the key with their fingers for easy rotation. Additionally, the shoulder is a section of metal that connects the blade and the bow. This piece is located at the base before the teeth which acts as a stopper. It prevents the key from being pushed too far into the keyhole reducing the risk of damaging the pin mechanism. The tip is the pointy ended part of the blade that is used to position the pins or tumblers within the lock cylinder. This is a sharp point on the key, because each pin needs to be slid up the pin chamber, and a sharp edge would be the most logical way to accomplish this. Finally, the cutted area, which is largely known as the key’s teeth, are the grooves that were patterned into the blade of the key. The depth and combination of teeth within the blade of the key mirrors, the specific combination of pins or tumblers inside of the lock cylinder. In conclusion, a key is a basic but efficient tool that consists of several main components that work together to unlock a lock. The blade, bow, shoulder, tip, and teeth are all features that must be uniquely designed to fit each specific pin pattern in every different lock. Understanding these unique components of a key is essential for anyone who wants to operate a lock effectively and safely as shown in the image below.

(Wang et al., 2020, p. 4)

Spring Loaded Chambers

One important part of a key lock is the spring-loaded chambers that play a crucial role in the locking and unlocking process. A spring-loaded chamber consists of a cylindrical tube, and a spring. The small tube is made of metal and has a hollow interior. The spring is located at the upper region of the tube and is engineered to provide resistance when the lock is being penetrated. The main locking mechanism is also located inside the cylindrical tube and is designed to respond to the pin chambers inside the lock mechanism. When a key is inserted into the lock, it will push each of the six pins up into their correct position. The two parts of each pin; the top pins and the bottom pins both uniquely interact with the teeth of the key. However, the bottom pin is the part that engages with the spring-loaded chamber. As the key is inserted into the lock, the top pins fall into place within the teeth of the key, allowing for rotation. At the same time, the bottom pins are being pushed by the springs, allowing the key to be gripped fully inside the mechanism. The springs in the chambers push onto the bottom pins, creating resistance against the key. This tension removes any chance of the lock turning without the proper key. As the lock turns, the locking mechanism inside the spring-loaded chamber holds the pins in the correct position that enables the lock to remain open for as long as the key is in. This mechanism is called the pin-tumbler chamber, the factors in the resistance of the spring-loaded chamber. Hence, the spring-loaded chamber is a very important component of a key lock. These springs provide the necessary resistance to ensure that only the correct key can push each pin into its accurate position. 

Latch Description

A latch inside a key lock is a mechanical component that enables the lock to function correctly. The latch is a type of mechanical lock that is used to connect to metal pieces for an extended period of time. In a key lock, the latch is responsible for holding the lock in place providing a stronghold against wear and tear. The latch inside a key lock is made of metal and is attached to a spring that provides appropriate tension to keep the latch spring loaded and its position. The latch is made up of two parts which are a hook-shaped piece that connects one side of the lock to the corresponding side that enters the dent in the shackle. When the shackle is inserted into the left side body of the lock, the hook-shaped piece on the latch locks inside the dented piece inside the body of the lock with the shackle, holding it in place. The function of the latch is completely dependent on the rotation of the key. When a key is inserted into the lock, the pins or tumblers are moved inside the lock into their correct positions, allowing the latch to be released. If the key rotates again, the latch disengages from the shackle, allowing the user to remove the lock. One important aspect of the latch design unique way of preventing unwanted entry. This well-designed latch cannot be manipulated using tools, because only the key should be able to open the lock. This is why an important factor for the design of a latch is durability and resistance to wear and tear. This latch is able to uphold performance with repeated use over time without getting worn out or damaged. This is even more important in greater security risk scenarios where the lock may be subject to theft for the use of tools or other strong materials. Furthermore, this is why the latch is located within the body of the lock. The reason for this is to reduce exposure to the outside world. In conclusion, the latch inside a key lock is a fundamental component that enables the lock to function to its purpose. Its design must balance security, durability, and simplicity to allow efficient security against unwanted access to the locked object. With proper design and engineering, a key lock can provide reliable and long-lasting protection for a wide range of desired objects.

Metal Exterior and Shackle

A key lock is a type of lock that uses a key to operate a set of internal pins or tumblers, allowing the lock to be opened or closed. The exterior metal structure of a key lock is designed to provide a secure and reliable casing for the lock’s internal mechanisms, while also protecting users against forced entry. The exterior metal structure of a key lock consists of the body and the shackle. The body is the main case for the lock’s internal mechanisms, and the shackle is the U-shaped piece that extends from the metal body and is used to attach the lock to an object. The body of a key lock is usually made of hardened steel, which is a very strong and durable metal that is resistant to cutting, hammering, and other forms of forced entry through the use of tools. This body is often designed to be slim and low-profile, which makes it more efficient to use in small spaces and makes it less accessible to objects such as tools. The shackle of a key lock is frequently made of the same hardened steel as the body, and is also designed to withstand cutting, hammering, and drilling. The shackle is usually able to rotate and pivot on a specific joint, which allows it to be turned away when the lock is unlocked. This is useful for unlocking things in tight spaces. In addition to the body and shackle, the exterior metal case structure of a key lock also includes other features, such as a keyway, and a weather-resistant coating. In conclusion, the exterior metal structure of a key lock is engineered to provide a secure and reliable casing for the lock’s internal mechanisms, while also providing adequate security for forced entry. The body and shackle of the lock are typically made of hardened steel, and may include a keyway, locking mechanism, and weather-resistant coating. Through choosing a high-quality key lock with a well-engineered exterior metal structure, you can help to ensure the security of your possessions.

Five Sense Analysis 

A key lock is a mechanical locking device that requires a combination of pins or tumblers, to be activated in order to unlock it. Looking at a key lock, the first thing that is noticeable visually is its shape. It has a small rectangular shape with a U-shaped shackle, which is the curved metal tube that locks back onto the body of the lock. This body of the lock is made of metal, with a shiny silver or brass color finish on it. The shackle is also made of metal and has a circular shape. The lock has a series of texts on the front, with numbers or letters imprinted on the body of the lock. There is also a small keyhole on the bottom of the lock, that has a unique pattern from the outside. When holding the key lock, it is clear that it is a hardened and well-crafted piece of equipment. The metal material feels cold, and smooth to the fingers, with a bit of weight, which shows me that it is durable. The shackle is thick and round, and the curved shape makes it easy to lock onto any latch. The text and font are small and have a slightly rough texture to them, which makes it easy to feel the individual letters without looking at them. When using a key lock, there are a few different sounds that can be heard. The first sound is the clicking of the text letters as they are touched over. Each area has a distinct sound, which can help the owner realize which piece they are touching without looking. The second sound is the clicking of the shackle as it is released from the lock body. This sound is satisfying to me and it shows that the lock has been successfully opened. A key lock does not have a particular smell, but the metal it is made from has a slight metallic scent. This was noticeable when the lock was new and had not been used yet. A key lock is not meant to be tasted and should never be put in a person’s mouth to comply with safety concerns. In conclusion, a key padlock can be described using the five senses. Its shape, material, and letters can be seen, its texture can be felt, its clicking can be heard, and it has a metallic smell. While it should never be tasted, a key lock is a well-made and durable piece of equipment that can provide security.

Rotation of Key

The direction of the rotation of the key in a key lock is a fundamental aspect of the mechanism that needs to be understood for the efficient operation of the key. In general, the direction of rotation of the key in a key lock is determined by the design of each unique locking mechanism. The pin tumbler mechanism has a unique design that affects the direction of rotation of the key. When the key is inserted into the lock tube, the grooves on the key lift the pins to the correct height so that the gap between the top and bottom sections of the pins aligns with the shear line of the lock. This allows the lock cylinder to rotate and unlock the lock. The direction of rotation of the key in a pin tumbler lock is directly correlated to the position of the shear line and its relationship to the keyhole. The shear line is the point that the top and bottom sections of the pins align, allowing the lock tube to turn the key. In this case, the shear line is located in the middle of the lock tube. This means that this key is able to turn clockwise, as well as counter, clockwise to unlock the lock. Fortunately, the key is not in a position where it can only be turned in one direction to unlock the lock as this would restrict the users ability to operate the lock more comfortably. Additionally, this type of locking mechanism and the direction of rotation of the key in a key lock can also be affected by the design of the lock body and shackle. This key lock has a rotating shackle that can be turned to different degrees, which can affect the direction of rotation of the key. This factor affects the direction of rotation of the key because of the key-retaining feature. This key lock has a mechanism that prevents the key from being removed from the lock tube when the lock is open. This feature is engineered to prevent the owner, from accidentally leaving the lock unlocked. In conclusion, the direction of rotation of the key in a key lock is a fundamental aspect of the lock mechanism that needs to be understood for the effective operation of the lock.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the lock and key have several fundamental components that work together to create the efficient mechanism that locks desired items into place. The hook mechanism latches into the body of the lock, creating a seal that is difficult to penetrate. The pins in the chambers are pressurized by the teeth of the key to a specific position, allowing for rotation. The key is designed in a way to trigger the correct combination of pins. Finally the rotation of the key allows for a clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

F

References

Evans, P. (2020, August 4). How padlocks work. The Engineering Mindset. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://theengineeringmindset.com/how-padlocks-work/

Dimri, B. (2021, May 24). Security: The long history of the lock and key. Ancient Origins Reconstructing the story of humanity’s past. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/locks-and-keys-0015361

Wang, Zhou, H., Ye, C., Song, C., & Zang, T. (2020). Study on traces left on a mechanical lock picked by a 3D printed key in toolmarks examination.

Forensic Science International, 317, 110514–110514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110514

Rhetorical Strategies in Robotics Lab Reports

The future of robotics is promising and through researching the results of experiments given from lab reports on the subject matter, students, and engineers alike, have the ability to understand the future clearly. The following three lab reports all gave a comprehensive overview of the capabilities of these new robots, and how they can contribute to society. (Current Urology Reports, 2017) gives an overview of a specific modern usage of robotics in surgery in a lab setting. (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) has the objective of creating a self learning machine algorithm that can serve as a suitable replacement for human intuition, in the commercial field. The author of (Lab Chip, 2021) explains the process of using ultrasound waves to control micro robots for medical purposes. The all around better lab report of the three is the one that was easiest to understand and agree with. (Current Urology Reports, 2017) is superior in aspects of assertive tone, strong vocabulary, and outstanding use of visual aids to (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) and (Lab Chip, 2021) because of its success in providing easy to understand results and a more descriptive analysis of their research, as well as the slight failure of the inferior labs in providing an in-depth enough overview of their experiments.

Introduction Section Comparison

The effect that tone has on a given audience’s interpretation of the author’s attitude in a text is very significant. Through the use of tone, authors have the ability to make their ideas seem more urgent, create an emotional reaction, as well as persuade the reader to agree with their point of view. The success of (Current Urology Reports, 2017), in the introduction section, is the author’s use of an assertive tone. Throughout his introduction, the author explains the purpose of this lab report, giving an overview of a specific modern usage of robotics in surgery in a lab setting. The first strength in the use of an assertive tone was in his context and historical background in the introduction. For example, “The rapid adoption and dissemination of this technology have largely been as a result of the perceived benefits of improved ergonomics, dex- terity, safety, and ease of surgery” (Current Urology Reports, 2017, p. 1) Specific phrases such as  “rapid adoption” and “dissemination of this technology” create an assertive tone that leaves the audience intrigued enough to read more of this lab report. This direct quote does a magnificent job of allowing an audience to understand the prevalence that robotics is having on surgery. The brilliance of this introduction cannot be understated as the author successfully captivated his audience, and explained his purpose in an easy to understand manner through the use of an assertive tone. In the end, this assertive approach to tone works in this author’s favor. 

           In (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021), the author also provides a summary of the purpose of his experiments. However, his explanation is not particularly as captivating as (Current Urology Reports, 2017). His purpose is to create a self learning robotic system algorithm for commercial use, however, his formal style of tone does not do justice to the importance of this experiment. Furthermore, in having a rather dull tone and non-specific style of writing, the author fails to explain the important impact that his findings will have on certain areas of commercial products. For example “The procedure allows one to find nine suitable recipes meeting the customer-defined criteria within 15 working days, outperforming human intuition” (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021, p. 1). This introduction does not provide the reader with enough substance to truly care about what he will write about. Because this line is crucial to communicating the importance of his results, having an unspecific, or dull tone, severely hurt the execution of his writing. His lack of passionate writing fails to draw readers into the rest of his report, hence, rendering the results of his experiments overlooked. Although the author of (Lab Chip, 2021) succeeds in establishing an assertive tone in his introduction, it is not captivating enough to honor the importance of his research. For instance “Richard Feynman in 1959 is still inspiring us today to make micro-scale robotic swimmers,… that have the ability to reach targeted locations within a fluidic environment in a robust way” (Lab Chip, 2021, p. 4095). In this quote, the author makes a point about his research being inspired, which creates an assertive tone; however, this introduction is not nearly as captivating as it could have been had he used a more intriguing praise. Therefore the dominance of (Current Urology Reports, 2017) stems from the author’s use of an assertive tone that is far more captivating and diligent to the importance of his work than the studies of (Lab Chip, 2021) and (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021).

Experimental Comparative Analysis

Appropriate word choice is a fundamental aspect of writing that enables readers to understand exactly what an author is trying to communicate to them. The rhetorical strategy of vocabulary can either greatly strengthen or weaken a piece of writing. The author of (Current Urology Reports, 2017), provides a very detailed analysis of the importance of properly educating trainees to operate mechanical arms in surgery. This author’s use of intelligent vocabulary only serves to strengthen his arguments. For example, “It not only exposes the trainee to the steps of the operative procedure… but also necessitates the development of skills unique to the assistant” (Current Urology Reports, 2017, p. 2). In this quote, the author’s use of the word necessitate perfectly conveys to the reader the absolute importance of developing the necessary skills to operate mechanical arms. Through the use of this word, the author effectively communicated the dangers of reckless operation of robotics in surgery. In (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) the author’s use of vocabulary is strong; however, it does not surpass the performance of the previously mentioned author. For instance, “With the recent advances in laboratory automation,… a large amount of highly reproducible data can be available to train machine learning models” (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021, p. 5). In this quote when the author states can be, he has crippled his opportunity to be completely clear to his audience. He should have thought deeper into his choice of words in this example. If he had chosen a stronger vocabulary, the audience would be more inclined to agree with him. The (Lab Chip, 2021) author’s word choices are well done. He explains his testing of the micro robots in an informative way that is easy to understand. To quote the lab, “To test the swimming behavior of the two-bubble swimmers, we enclose them in a microfluidic channel” (Lab Chip, 2021, p. 4095). Here the author’s use of words is simple which is a good thing considering that this topic of discussion is very complex. Therefore an author’s use of vocabulary can greatly affect that outcome of their writing and why the author of (Current Urology Reports, 2017) used this to his advantage over the other labs.

Explanation of Results Analysis

Although writing is a very effective form of communication, in some cases where there is a specific process or physical component present, a diagram or visual aids, serves a unique purpose. The author’s use of visual aids in (Current Urology Reports, 2017) is a very wise use of graphical data as shown below.

This graph is an excellent representation of the process a medical professional must go through in order to operate robotics in surgery. The reason the author included this graph was to show once again how important the process of safety when using machinery in surgical procedures is. Hence, the importance of visual aids can not be understated when trying to communicate an important message.

Conclusion

The importance of these rhetorical strategies is large because this is what authors use to bring their messages across. If students are able to understand how to use these strategies in their own writing, argument, and ideas will only become clearer. Analyzing the organization, the author of (Lab Chip, 2021), does an excellent job of explaining the purpose of his experiments however, fails to present the information clearly enough because of restrictions in vocabulary and tone. Although it is stated that the purpose of these micro robots is to help heal certain parts of the body and that the main problem with these micro robots is that they are very hard to control, he fails to provide any visual aids to assist the reader’s understanding of how these micro robots look and how they used. The author of (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) also had an intriguing use of vocabulary and tone but was not as successful as the author in (Current Urology Reports, 2017). In conclusion, the lab report that is superior in terms of assertive tone, strong vocabulary, and outstanding use of visual aids to (Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021) and (Lab Chip, 2021) is (Current Urology Reports, 2017).

References

Luo, & Wu, M. (2021). Biologically inspired micro-robotic swimmers remotely controlled by ultrasound waves. Lab on a Chip, 21(21), 495–413. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1lc00575h

Cao, Russo, D., Felton, K., Salley, D., Sharma, A., Keenan, G., Mauer, W., Gao, H., Cronin, L., & Lapkin, A. A. (2021). Optimization of Formulations Using Robotic Experiments Driven by Machine Learning DoE. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2(1), 100295–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2020.100295

Sridhar, Briggs, T. P., Kelly, J. D., & Nathan, S. (2017). Training in Robotic Surgery—an Overview. Current Urology Reports, 18(8), 58–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-017-0710-y

To: Dr. Vincent Boudreau, President of City College

From: William Gomezcoello, City College student

Date: February 19, 2023

Subject: Winter Session Registration Problem

Good morning Dr. Vincent Boudreau, this is William Gomezcoello writing to inform you of a problem that many students are having this semester at City College. Winter classes are an excellent opportunity for students to finish a required course in an accelerated time frame. Although these classes require more effort, they are very much worth the time and money spent on them, especially because many classes are prerequisites. However, I have personally encountered a major problem with the effect that taking winter classes has on a student’s ability to register for the spring semester. Students in the winter session are not allowed to register for certain classes without finishing their current winter prerequisite class. Therefore winter students are forced to wait until two days before the spring semester to register for these next level classes. This is very problematic because oftentimes students struggle to find the right next level classes that will tailor their schedule. Scheduling is a very important aspect of a student’s success and if the students who are taking winter classes are not able to have the appropriate flexibility of a larger range of timeframes, the spring semester would definitely be more challenging for them. These scheduling conflicts are especially problematic for college students with jobs and other responsibilities that take up a significant portion of their time.

Unavailability of Next Level Classes

The second problem that this registration hold for winter students creates is the unavailability of certain next level classes. Not only do winter students not have a wider range of time frames of classes to choose from, but they also cannot apply for some of the classes that they need due to them closing before the winter semester is over. For example, after I completed my winter pre-calculus class, I wanted to register for general chemistry. However, all of the seats were full, and there was no way to register. After I could not register through CUNY first, I decided to go to the science department and request an over tally so that I could join the class through this method. However, I was denied the request and told that the department does not over tally for basic science classes. This example proves that there is a clear problem that this registration hold for winter students has on their ability to access the next level classes that they need for their majors. Research in the article according to Papadakis (2007) suggests that a student’s ability to learn is directly impacted by their schedules. Students perform better when they have the option to decide when they take certain classes because each person has a unique preference. For example, if a student feels that they can focus more in a class that’s sixty minutes long rather than thirty, allowing this flexibility would be crucial to this person’s performance. A registration hold restricts students from learning at their preferred timeframes and this article proves how important a flexible schedule is for students.

The third problem that this winter session registration hold creates for students has to do with financial aid. Financial aid will give full time students more money than part time. Therefore, if taking winter classes forbids students from registering for the necessary next level classes to become a full-time college student, many people will be missing out on substantial financial aid. This is an unacceptable circumstance that we must address because too many students are already struggling to afford tuition. These people may also have to register for classes that they do not need simply to meet the four class requirement that the financial aid has set. All this does is cost students more money, and more time out of their schedules. With all these downsides to taking winter classes, which are already significantly more rigorous, one would question if they are worth all of the problems they cause to take them.

Registration Solution

Finally, as I have carefully considered all of these problems, I have created a possible solution that City college can implement to fix them. As students are taking a winter class, there is no registration hold whatsoever that will stop them from registering for the next level classes on CUNY first. Instead, the college will instruct the staff to overlook all of the registered students at the end of the winter session who have not completed their winter classes and drop them manually. This will grant winter students the same opportunity and flexibility of time to register for all of the classes that they need. Although this solution will cost the university more labor, I think that I have made it perfectly clear why this expense is worth the price in this memo. 

Although this solution is viable in my opinion, if it is not put into fruition, for whatever reason, I have another solution that could be put to use. This would be to reduce the number of seats in all of the spring semester classes before the winter session ends by fifteen percent. After the winter session, the seats would be re-added to each class on CUNY first which the winter students would then be given the opportunity to review and register for them. For example, if Calculus 201 was made up of sixty seats, this number would reduce to fifty one until the winter session ends. Then the seats would be raised back to sixty allowing for more people to sign up. Not only do the winter students have this option, but every student will be allowed to sign up for classes. However the winter students would most certainly make up the new fifteen percent as they would need the seats more. 

Communication and feedback are essential for the growth of any organization which is why it is very important to raise awareness whenever there is a problem. Thank you for your time and I appreciate your consideration in fixing some of these issues.

Work Cited:

Papadakis, K. (2007). How Is A Student’s LEARNING Affected By Their School Schedule? Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.csun.edu/~kp797909/646/coursework/files/Action%20Research%20Paper.d oc

167-11 32 Avenue 

NY 11358

February 3, 2023

Ms. Von Uhl 

160 Convent Ave

New York, NY 10031

Dear Ms. Von Uhl,

           Good morning Ms. Von Uhl, in this letter I am going to write about myself and my goals, seeing as though we are going to be working together. Ever since childhood I have loved inventing things. My friends were never bored around me due to my toys that were self created. Even as a child I did not have a problem with creating my own toys because my parents never bought me any. This love for inventing continued throughout high school. I practically spent the entire four years in the robotics room. Being the captain also helped me tremendously with my collaboration skills. Naturally, given this passion of mine, I gravitated towards mechanical engineering as my choice of major. The satisfaction when fixing a problem others thought could not be fixed, made this talent very worth it.

            One long term goal of mine is to establish a strong mindset and mental health. These two things are crucial for me to cultivate in order to accomplish my college and career goals. Even today I enjoy doing things that make me uncomfortable such as exercising. This is all in an effort to strengthen my mental fortitude. My father has always reminded me of the importance of mental health and his advice will not be wasted.

            My next goal would be to finish getting my degree and become a mechanical engineer. I feel that this degree strongly aligns with my interests and I would enjoy doing it. Math is something that was always pleasant for me as well. I am definitely looking forward to the next five years of this degree. The skills learned, not only make this degree worth it, but the fortitude grown makes this worth every cent. The field of engineering is one with problem solvers. These people are going to make the world a more efficient place. Engineers are the future of safety, health, and almost every other problem humanity is struggling with. The reason I chose mechanical engineering specifically is because I feel that the field of Robotics is going to be a huge market place in the future. I believe that Robotics is going to be very relevant and is an industry that not only will solve a tremendous part of the world’s problems, but will make everyone’s life easier. Not to mention that I greatly enjoy working with machines and find them fascinating. Physics and math give humanity power over their surroundings. Through the language of math, we can engineer things that will do what we want them to exactly the way they should. This is why I also greatly enjoy math and physics and I’m looking forward to them in my college career.

            As for my career, I have hopes of either receiving a comfortable salary or succeeding in starting my own business. This potential business will undoubtedly depend on the quality of the new product and the collaboration of myself with other engineers. To invent a product that will successfully make the company profitable, it must satisfy an intrinsic need that people share. The field of engineering will play a large part in making sure that this product is affordable and functions properly. My team will need to run several tests and of course calculations to clarify this. All of this will be put into fruition to accomplish a wonderful dream that I have to create a profitable company and give jobs to many people. The next possible step would be to focus on sales. These sales numbers must be high for the company to survive therefore, I will need to hire a sales staff. If I do not want to hire a sales team, I could also present my new product to existing companies to possibly make a deal of sorts. If I create a product that makes their product better, they would be willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for the patent. If I were able to accomplish this sale, I would be very satisfied with what my degree has allowed me to do.

Sincerely,

William Gomezcoello

Writing for Engineering B2 

African Heritage and the Afro-American Experience L

1500 A.D. to the Present E 

Calculus I PR

Theater History I M

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