Bethel Etta, Marti Green, Connor Maples, Philip Reiter

0232 Tawes Hall

College Park, MD 20742
February 16, 2017

Dr. David Lea

1114 Webb Hall
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9630

Re: Research for Professional Writing Course

Dear Dr. Lea:

We are students at the University of Maryland, enrolled in a Professional Writing Course,

interested in developing a greater understanding of technical communication, specifically in the
area of environmental science and climate change. By examining the works of a professional
writer in the field, we will have a deeper depth of knowledge on the dire effects of climate
change, and different ways to combat climate denial.

Our ethnographic report this semester tasks our group with enveloping ourselves into the world
of a technical writer, and witness his/her job and how technical communication affects or
supports or controls his/her effectiveness and success. Our final ethnography project proposal
will be due on March 13th, while the final report is due April 26th. From now until the end date,
our group will conduct an interview with the subject, as well as review relevant artifacts and
documents and research the changes in rhetoric surrounding climate change. Our report will not
include the subjects name or any other identifying information. Also, our final report and
research will be available for the subject to review.

In taking this course, our goals are to develop our writing, research, analytical and
communication skills to prepare for professional writing in the workplace. Our group is
particularly interested in how we can apply these skills to contribute to discussions on climate
change and environmental policy. In this project we hope not only to gain a deeper understanding
of technical communication in this field, but also to convey a fair and well-researched
presentation of such highly controversial and critical arguments over climate change and
environmental policy. We would like to have an opportunity to meet with you soon to further
discuss this assignment in more detail and answer any questions you may have regarding our
deadlines or privacy concerns. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact at
maplesc22@gmail.com or 301-655-2262. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Bethel Etta, Marti Green, Connor Maples, & Philip Reiter