ENGR 100WLAB ASSIGNMENTDr. Thalia Anagnos

Objectives of Assignment:

  • Practice writing a business letter with a concise clear introduction
  • Write paragraphs that each develop an idea and use a topic sentence to introduce that idea.
  • Cite sources and use quotes correctly
  • Use what you have learned about global climate change, energy consumption, and renewable power to suggest ways the SJSU could become a greener campus.

Background: As part of your homeworkon Wednesday, February 14, you were asked to read several articles about universities that were “going green” by either buying green power or reducing energy consumption. In addition, you were asked to look at the College Sustainability Report Card to get ideas about what types of sustainability practices schools around the country are implementing to reduce their environmental footprint. Strategies range from encouraging employees to monitor their energy use to reducing post-consumer waste in the dining commons. Several universities are investing in green buildings; others are purchasing green power.

On February 16, John Roukema, Assistant Director for Silicon Valley Power, described a number of different strategies to reduce CO2 emissions. He explained that the type of power generation (for example coal versus wind) determines the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere per kWh of electricity generated. For example, coal-fired power plants release 2.1 lbs of CO2 per kWh, whereas power plants that use natural gas generate about 1.3 lbs of CO2 per kWh. Wind generated power doesn’t release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Assignment:This is a group assignment. Please find a partner to work with.

Write a business letter to Don Kassing, President of San José State University,providing him suggestions of how SJSU could become a greener campus. To help him understand your suggestions you should include:

  • an introduction that explains why you are writing to him,.
  • background information about the possible connections between CO2 and other gases on global climate change,
  • one or two ideas about what SJSU could do to reduce its environmental footprint,
  • potential benefits to SJSU of implementing your suggestions.

Refer to your resources and where needed cite your sources. Do your best work; I would like to give these letters to President Kassing.

Guidelines: The assignment must be turned in at the end of this class period and a copy MUST BE TURNED INTO TURNITIN.COM. Complete the business letter with 12 point Times Roman font, singleline spacing, and 1- inch margins.Write a minimum of three (3) paragraphs and a minimum of 1 page (single spaced).

  1. Write a business letter, from you to

Don Kassing, President

San JoséStateUniversity

One Washington Square

San José, CA95192

  1. Address the points listed above.
  2. If appropriate, cite references in APA style, and theninclude a “References” section at the end of your memo with properly formatted references.

Proofread your document before you print it. Both people writing the letter should sign it at the bottom. Submit it to Turnitin.comand hand in the hard copy.

Grading:

Proper format of a business letter2

Quality of introduction2

Quality of conclusion2

Plagiarism avoided; where appropriate references cited2

Complete paragraphs with topic sentences2

Content of letter responds to requested information3

Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation2

Total15 points

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