English 302: B12
George Mason University

Spring 2010

For this essay, imagine you have been charged with designing a "choice architecture" for some reasonably complex task, such as choosing a television, cell phone, or internet service package.

• What assumptions should you make concerning users' knowledge?
• What assumptions should you make concerning users' needs?
• What defaults would you set?
• What options would you offer?
• How would you present this information to consumers?

Begin by describing packages which are currently offered. How are they presented to consumers? What defaults and options have been set? What assumptions made? Then describe your model.

The essay should be 3- 5 pages, double-spaced. This is not a research paper; however,you will need to consult some outside sources to find information on current services. You will need to cite these sources, but you can use informal citations (URLs, for example).

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