ENG315
Week 2 Assignment 1 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
1: Procedural Email Message
Due Week 2 and worth 140 points
Write a procedural email message to employees
reminding them of standard operating procedures or organizational changes that
take the form of step-by-step instructions. Be creative, or use an issue
applicable to your work environment. (Example can be found on page 76, Figure
5.1, of the course text.)
The message should take the form of an email;
however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.
The procedural message must adhere to the
following requirements:
1. Content:
1. Introduce
the main idea of the message in a concise, informative manner.
2. Itemize
three to five (3-5) key points with detail.
3. Provide
information about where and to whom questions should be directed.
2. Format:
1. Use a
descriptive subject line or heading.
2. Use
bullets to separate ideas and simplify reading.
3. Style:
1. Include
an appropriate and professional greeting / salutation.
2. Use
email form including: To:, From:, Subject:, and Signature.
4. Clarity
/ Mechanics:
1. Ensure
that there are no grammar or spelling errors.
2. Ensure
that there are no clarity, writing, and mechanical errors.
Your assignment must:
- Be
typed, single-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
Submitting your assignment:
- Submit
your assignment through the online course shell only.
The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:
- Use
writing process strategies to develop brief business documents, such as
routine messages, bad news messages, and persuasive/sales messages.
- Support
ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and
explanations.
- Organize
ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
- Use
sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
- Write
clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.
ENG315
Week 3 Assignment 2.1 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
2.1: Justification Report – Part 1
Due Week 3 and worth 150 points
In Assignments 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, you will be
building up a formal, researched justification report (one part at a time) that
culminates in a recommendation to implement a particular product, service, or
program in your place of employment. This recommended product, service, or
program should resolve a problem that you identify in your workplace and should
be directed to your employer (even if you do not actually plan to share it with
your employer).
Use the basic outline below to draft
Assignment 2. Organize your responses to each question under the following
section headings:
- Problem
Statement (for Question 1)
- Overview
of Alternatives (for Question 2)
- Criteria
(for Question 3)
- Methods
(for Question 4)
Using the provided template, write Part 1 of a
single-spaced report in which you:
1. Discuss
in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs
fixing.
2. Provide
a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that
could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.
3. List
and detail five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each
alternative in Question 2.Note: The
alternative that satisfies the most criteria to the highest degree will be the
one you recommend later to your employer (in Assignment 2.3). Criteria are
standards that the audience values and are therefore used to measure the worth
of each alternative (common examples include cost, desirability, durability,
efficiency, time it will take to implement, and practicality).
4. Describe
in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best
alternative to recommend to your employer.Note: This is a one to two (1-2) paragraph description of what
research needs to be completed in order to evaluate the alternatives. This is
not a detailed procedure for solving the problem.
Your assignment must:
- Be
typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or
school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
- Include
a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the
reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:
- Support
ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and
explanations.
- Organize
ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
- Use
sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
- Apply
writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or
proposals.
- Use
technology and information resources to research issues related to
selected topics.
- Write
clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.
ENG315
Week 5 Assignment 2.2 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
2.2: Justification Report - Part 2
Due Week 5 and worth 150 points
In Part 1 of your Justification Report assignment, you built up the following
sections: Problem Statement, Overview of Alternatives, Criteria, and Methods.
In Part 2, you will revise Part 1 based on your instructor's suggestions and
add to it the following sections: Evaluation of Alternatives, Findings and
Analysis, and References.
Use the basic outline below to draft your paper. Organize your responses to
each question under the following section headings:
- Evaluation
of Alternatives (for Questions 1-3)
- Findings
and Analysis (for Questions 4-5)
- References
(for Question 6)
Using the provided template, write Part 2 of a single-spaced report in which
you:
1. Include
and revise the sections from Assignment 2.1 (Problem Statement, Overview of
Alternatives, Criteria, and Methods) per instructor suggestions.
2. Research
the two (2) alternatives (i.e. possible solutions) that you've identified in
your Part 1 Evaluation of Alternatives section. Record bibliographic
information during research.
1. Example:
You might research other organizations that have attempted similar solutions to
the problem you have identified and explore the results of those experiments.
3. Use
what you discover in your research to evaluate each alternative by each of your
five (5) criteria.
1. Example:
If your research revealed that four (4) companies similar to yours increased
productivity after allowing their workers to telework from home three days per
week, you might conclude that one of your suggested alternatives – in this
case, the option to telework from home three days per week – satisfies one of
your criterion of “Productivity” as a high-potential solution to a problem
you’ve identified (of decreased worker morale and productivity at Doe’s
Electronics). However, additional research might frustrate a recommendation of
this alternative if it is found to fall short of other criteria while a second
alternative fares better. For instance, a telework alternative might be found
to be too costly to implement; too frustrating for consumers who prefer daily,
in-person customer service; or too divergent from the company’s brand, “Always
there for you!”
4. Organize
the assignment by your criteria. Explain in narrative form how each of your two
(2) alternatives stacks up against your first criterion. Next, explain how each
alternative stacks up against your second criterion, etc.
1. Example:
An abbreviated outline of what this longer section might look like based on the
above example is below (Note: Only
the first two [2] of five [5] required criteria are included to give you a feel
for the structure). Your researched findings, represented as circled bullets
below, should be explained in two to five (2-5) sentences. Include in-text
citations and follow up with References in APA style):
Evaluation of Alternatives
§ Productivity
2.
§ Alternative
A: Telework from home three (3) days per week
§ {narrate
findings based on research article 1 here}
§ Alternative
B: Offer two (2) extra Floating Holidays to each employee per year
§ {narrate
findings based on research article 2 here}
§ Cost
4.
§ Alternative
A: Telework from home three (3) days per week
§ {narrate
findings based on research article 1 here}
§ Alternative
B: Offer two extra Floating Holidays to each employee per year
§
§ {narrate
findings based on research article 2 here}
Briefly summarize in narrative form the major discoveries that
emerged from the Evaluation of Alternatives section.
Include a chart like the ones below to illustrate at a glance:
Figure 1: Alternatives Analyzed by Criteria
Criteria
|
Telework Option
|
Floating Holiday Option
|
Productivity
|
Very
high
|
Negligible
increase
|
Cost
|
Very
high
|
Moderate
|
Company Image
|
Increased
|
Negligible
increase
|
Worker Morale
|
Increased
|
Negligible
increase
|
Practicality
|
Moderate
|
Low
|
TOTAL Feasibility* of Alternatives
based on Criteria?
|
Moderate
to High
|
Low
to Moderate
|
*Feasability = Capability of an alternative being carried out with success
Include an APA style (6th edition) References page that
documents the two (2) sources (minimum) that you used and cited in-text in your
Evaluation of Alternatives section. You may use secondary resources, or you may
include one primary source and one secondary source. Remember that both in-text
citations and References must be included (to avoid plagiarism) whenever you
are directly quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing researched material.
Your assignment must:
- Be
typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or
school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
- Include
a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the
reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
- Support
ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and
explanations.
- Organize
ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
- Use
sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
- Apply
writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or
proposals.
- Use
technology and information resources to research issues related to
selected topics.
- Write
clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.
ENG315
Week 7 Assignment 2.3 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
2.3: Justification Report – Part 3 (Final)
Due Week 7 and worth 180 points
In Assignments 2.1 (Part 1) and 2.2 (Part 2)
of the Justification Report, you built up the major parts of your formal,
researched justification report (Problem Statement, Overview of Alternatives,
Criteria, Methods, Evaluation of Alternatives, Findings and Analysis, and References).
For Part 3 you will begin by inserting your revisions of Parts 1 and 2 based on
your instructor’s suggestions. Then, you will include a few new sections.Note: Some sections presented below are out of order so pay
attention to where the section should go (for instance, the Transmittal should
be the second page of your report based on the provided template). It is
essential that you present the final report in the correct section order.
Use the basic outline below to draft your
paper. Organize your responses to each question under the following section
headings:
- Preliminary
Parts (for Question 1)
- Introduction
(for Question 2)
·
- Problem
Statement (for Question 2b)
- Terminology
(for Question 2c)
- Major
Sections of the Report (for Question 2d)
- Scope
and Limitations of the Research (for Question 2e)
- Recommendation
(for Question 3)
- References
(for Question 4)
Using the provided template from Week 7, write
Part 3 to complete a single-spaced report in which you:
1. Create
the preliminary parts of the report that precede the Introduction (after
reading Chapter 11 in the textbook). Each element (1a to 1d) appears on a
separate page (1a should be page 1, 1b should be page 2, etc.). The preliminary
part includes:
1. Title
Page
2. Transmittal
(stand-alone business letter)
3. Table
of Contents
4. Executive
Summary
2. Create
an introduction that tells what your report is about. The introduction
includes:
1. Begin
with a general introduction paragraph that gives the reader any needed
background information on the company or problem.
2. Include
the Problem Statement that you already created and revised in Part 1.
3. Include
terms that readers will need to know in order to understand the report.
4. Briefly
summarize the major sections and findings of the report developed in Parts 1
and 2.Note: This
is in addition to including the revised sections not instead of including the
revised previous sections from Parts 1 and 2.
5. Discuss
what your report will cover and what it will not (including limitations such as
research, time, information, or any other factors the reader should consider
when reading the report).
3. Create
the Recommendation section of the Report.
1. Provide
a one to two (1-2) sentence recommendation based on what your Evaluation of
Alternatives and Findings and Analysis sections have determined is the most
feasible alternative (i.e., solution) to the problem in the Problem Statement.
4. Create
the References section, which goes at the end of the Report by pasting in your
revised References page.
Note: Remember
to organize the report by the section headings. The report should reflect a
style and format appropriate for business; single spacing and bullet points are
acceptable for formal business reports.
Your assignment must:
- Be
typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or
school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
- Include
a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the
reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:
- Support
ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and
explanations.
- Organize
ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
- Use
sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
- Apply
writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or proposals.
- Use
technology and information resources to research issues related to
selected topics.
- Write
clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.
ENG315
Week 8 Assignment 3 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
3: Justification Report – Presentation
Due Week 8 and worth 150 points
Now that you have completed your report, it is
time to design and present your findings. Your task is to organize and develop
the three (3) parts (introduction, body, and closing) of an effective
presentation, based on your Justification Report (Assignment 2.3). Chapter 12
in our text provides overall information on presentation format, content, and
delivery. Please do not simply cut and paste your justification report content
to the slides. Instead develop clear, concise content that enhances your
presentation narration or notes. Remember that your slides are meant to be
highlights and your audience should not spend a great deal of time reading from
the slides but instead listening to you present the concepts.
Create an eight to ten (8-10) slide
presentation in which you:
1. Ensure
that your PowerPoint presentation fulfills the appropriate length requirements
and professional style requirements.
2. Open
with an engaging introduction of the topic of your report. Include one (1)
title slide and one (1) introductory slide.
3. For the
body of your presentation, cover the main points of your report. Create slides
that reinforce and illustrate your main ideas. Follow basic design principles
for effective slide content.
4. For
your single closing slide, finish with a memorable wrap-up statement that
refocuses on the purpose of your report.
5. Use
PowerPoint voice-over and / or the notes section to present your slides.
Your assignment must follow these formatting
requirements:
- Include
a title slide containing the title of the assignment, your name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title slide is not
included in the required slide length.
- Format
the PowerPoint presentation with headings on each slide, and two to three
(2-3) relevant graphics (photographs, graphs, clip art, etc.) throughout
the presentation, ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and
readable from 18 feet away. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
- Slides
should abbreviate the information in no more than five or six (5 or 6)
bullet points each.
- Slide
titles should be based on the criteria being summarized (e.g., “Four Key
Attributes,” “Responses to Budget Issues,” etc.).
Assignment
Checklist
- Descriptive
titles on each of the slides
- Text
contains concise, precise content
- Graphics
convey the idea described by the slide text
- Statements
in bulleted lists have a parallel structure
- The
font size is easily read from a distance
- There
are no more than three (3) different font styles in the presentation
- The
color and background convey a formal business tone
- Animation
effects are used in moderation
- There
are no misspellings or typographical errors
The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:
- Assess
strengths and weaknesses in the student’s own oral communication and in
the oral communication of others.
- Use
sentence variety, effective word choice, and correct grammar in oral
communication.
- Analyze
verbal and nonverbal techniques that enhance oral communication within a
business and / or professional context.
ENG315
Week 10 Assignment 4 Latest 2017 June
Assignment
4: Job Application Cover Letter
Due Week 10 and worth 130 points
Completing this assignment will help you name
and identify the skills and abilities that will move your career forward.
Develop a Job Application Cover Letter that highlights and emphasizes whyyou are the person most suitable for your ideal role. Use the
general writing guidelines on pp. 277-278 in the text for structural and
content guidance.Note: An
example can be found on p. 250, Figure 13.8.
The message should take the form of a business
letter; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.
The job letter / application message must
adhere to the following requirements:
1. Content
1. Highlight
relevant background and job history information.
2. Emphasize
significant qualifications and exclude nonessential ideas.
2. Format
1. Follow
proper letter formatting techniques, per business letter format.
2. Use an
appropriate and professional greeting and closing.
3. Style
1. Use
professional language.
2. Use
sufficient variety in sentences.
3. Paragraphs
effectively developed and efficient.Note: Six
(6) or seven (7) lines when possible.
4. Mechanics
1. Ensure
there are no grammar or spelling errors.
2. Eliminate
wordiness and unclear sentence construction.
Your assignment must:
- Be
typed, single-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional
instructions.
Submitting your assignment:
- Submit
your assignment through the online course shell only.
The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:
- Use
writing process strategies to develop brief business documents, such as
routine messages, bad news messages, and persuasive / sales messages.
- Support
ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and
explanations.
- Organize
ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
- Use
sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
- Write
clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.