This document provides suggestions for topics and approaches for a short essay assignment in a class about Second Life. It recommends choosing a topic related to one's major or interests that allows active participation. Suggested topics include examining subcultures in Second Life like furries or vampires, evaluating education in Second Life by visiting virtual universities, or exploring business and economics by visiting companies' presences. It provides guidance on researching locations, documenting visits, and incorporating outside sources into the essay. Key due dates are provided for choosing a topic, writing an introduction, and submitting the final essay.

1. Getting Started with Short Essay
2
Dr. C

2. Choosing a Topic
Select something that not only sounds
interesting, but that may also be related
to your major
Select a topic that encourages you to
actively participate in something
Consider partnering with a classmate on
this topic if you didn’t do that for the first

3. Suggested Approaches
SubCultures in Second Life:
Consider joining the furries, the
vampires, or other subculture and
write about what it takes to become a
member.
There are certain tasks which must
b e accomplished to become a
furrie, to include (task 1), (task 2),
and (task 3).

4. Suggestions cont...
Education in Second Life
Consider visiting several university
campuses in SL, attend speaking
events sponsored by educators in SL
or visit a number of educational
simulations
Examples of effective education in
Second Life include...

5. Suggestions cont...
Business and economics in Second Life
Consider visiting a number of fortune
500 businesses in Second Life to
include Adida, Nike, Apple, IBM,
Toyota,

6. Some things to remember...
When you arrive at a location, remember to
landmark it, and write down the grid
coordinates. Take a picture.
Describe the location, what do you see,
landscape, design, people, attire, buildings,
sounds, music, etc...
Were you offered a welcome notecard? Can
any of that info be used in your essay?
Begin searching for other outside sources.

7. Remember
Topic and Thesis Statement due on your
Personal Blog by Midnight, March 7
Introduction is due on your Personal
Blog by Midnight, March 12
Second Short Essay is due by Midnight,
April 2
Conferences begin March 9-Extra
column on google docs for your topic