Description
Information Gathering and Message Development
Expected Outcome/Deliverable: Individual/Memorandum –One Page – Do NOT use (any) templates/Word Memorandum – Read/Use the format guidelines below.
Course’s Textbook/Appendix/Figure B.1 Sample Memo/Page 561
Required/Format: Review the Model Document -See Appendix B –Figure B.1-Sample Memo.
DO NOT use a template with the word Memorandum at the top of your page. DO NOT place the word Memorandum as a header. DO NOT use the illustrated information in the sample Memo, i.e., Header (name of company) or Notations: Enclosures or Distribution.
Required – 1 page (DO NOT Exceed), Apply the following – MARGINS -1 inch (top/bottom and sides). Move and Align the Heading (TO, FROM, DATE, SUBJECT) up (1 inch Top) –this will give you extra space to complete the assignment. To: Dr. Nealy rather than information illustrated in the sample Memo. Make sure to supply applicable information – From (Use Your Name of Record (First then Last), Date and Subject (use a descriptive subject line/it should clearly identify the topic and purpose).
Required: FONT – Times New Roman-Size 12, and FORMAT – Use single space to format the body of each section/paragraph – THEN- Use 1.5 spaces between each section/paragraph (i.e. at the end of section/paragraph one – use 1.5 spaces THEN – go back to using single space for the body of section/paragraph two – at the end of section/paragraph two –use 1.5 spaces-then go back to using single space for the body of section/paragraph 3).
Step 1 – In the course’s textbook- Go to Page 168- 5.6 Self- Assessment of Approach to Writing- Read and complete the short assessment. The assessment should provide insight (i.e., strengths and gaps) about your approach to writing. Once you have completed the short assessment- use findings from your assessments – to select (one) common error from the list below. Required: You must select one common error.
MY COMMON ERROR IS:
Usage errors – errors in the way language is used, see examples (Read course’s textbook- Pages 555- 556 Table A.11). You should also use short and familiar words and phrases – avoid buzzwords and figures of speech.
Step 2– Do NOT (just submit the results) of the self-assessment. You will need to produce an internal memorandum to your instructor. Required: Review/Apply Table 5:10 (See Page 160)-Avoid Relying Too Heavily on the I-Voice.
The memorandum must have a short introduction/ first paragraph that presents the main idea/purpose and previews the following paragraphs. Examples to include in the first paragraph include: your major, summary of your self-assessment and identified common error. Required: DO NOT (1) presents the main idea using a list/bullet of the assessment results; (2) using the descriptions in the course’s textbook; or (3) using the descriptions of common errors listed below.
After the introduction- organize the body (two paragraphs). You should have (three paragraphs when finished/1 Page Memo). The body – Paragraphs (two and three) should have paragraph headings. The headings should help to identify key ideas and navigate the document. The body must include three specific steps (with support/research) you will take to improve and benchmarks for checking your progress. Your memorandum must include one APA in-text citation from a scholarly journal article within your declared business major.
*Required/Research: DO NOT use an article over five years old.
DO NOT use the course’s textbook as a citation/secondary source/reference.
DO NOT use the citation multiple times in the body. *You should ONLY cite the information from the article once in the body.
DO NOT use over three lines of the information from the article to complete your in-text citation.
DO NOT use other citations in the body.
The topics highlighted below are two examples of keywords useful for researching approach to writing – focusing on best practices for identifying common errors and applying improvement strategies. You can use other topics.
1. Review graded feedback on writing assignments (list repeated errors). Compile your findings and identify/use applicable resources (online, UHD Writing Center, etc.) to develop/improve your writing.
Research – *Business Source Complete- Go to W.I. Dykes Library https://www.uhd.edu/library/Pages/library-index.aspx Click Databases – Under Library Databases –Click B -Scroll Down to Business Source Complete –Click and Start your search.
Use *Business Source Complete to locate discipline specific journals (your declared business major) – search topics related to (your declared major and selected common error). You should identify a business article (as outlined above) – specific to your declared major or applicable to ALL business majors in terms of expected industry/business writing (LO5.1/the goal of effective business messages and the process for creating them.) The article should provide specific information about your selected common error or information related to your selected common error in terms of approach to writing that should help avoid/minimize common errors focusing business messages/documents. The topics highlighted below are two examples of keywords useful for researching approach to writing – focusing on best practices for identifying common errors and applying improvement strategies. You can use other topics.
1. Review graded feedback on writing assignments (list repeated errors). Compile your findings and identify/use applicable resources (online, UHD Writing Center, etc.) to develop/improve your writing.
