paper assignment
Instructions: Media Reports
One important quality of a professional is to be aware of their business environment and be able to comment with colleagues on important trends in the industry. This must become a daily habit both in school and after starting your professional career.
One of your weekly assignments is to write a synopsis and analysis (150 + words) of a report found in recent media that relates to the topics that are the subject of this course. You may use reports from any media you wish as long as you are able to reference the material. Please summarize the article and relate it to the subject matter of this course.
Articles on these topics are relatively easy to find and are present in nearly all national publications. Specialty publications have even more articles relating to our topics. One resource that students find especially helpful is a publication called AH&LA SmartBrief. This publication is one of over 100 industry newsletters published by SmartBrief on topics ranging from accounting to biotechnology and travel. They partner with numerous trade associations and professional societies to bring timely information to busy professionals (and students too). I recommend you start with the AH&LA (American Hotel and Lodging Association) SmartBrief, but you may want to browse their website (smartbrief.com) to see what additional newsletters would be of interest to you.
Finding an article in SmartBrief is a starting point, not the entire assignment. For example, you may find reference to an article on green building management consisting of perhaps 6 lines, with a reference to a larger article. You should click on the article and read the entire text of the article, not just the summary provided by SmartBrief. You should reference the subject article using APA format.
Please write in complete sentences using real words (no 'texting' abbreviations).
Criteria for Evaluation:
Citation/Source= 1 pt.
Length (150 + words) = 1 pt.
Relevant Topic= 1 pt.
Grammar= 1 pt.
Total Points= 4
Example Outline: (Extra Credit Bonus)
Student Name
Sample Blog
PM 280
New York’s Historic Helmsley Hotel to Become a Westin
The article talks about the historic New York Helmsley Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The hotel will be making history again, becoming the second Westin in the city. Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced on February 7, 2012 the launch of a $65 million renovation of the landmark building. The Helmsley was built on the grounds of a public school in 1906. In 2007 Helmsley died and host hotels bought the property last year for $313.5 million. All rooms and suites will feature the brand’s eco-friendly design scheme using materials such as energy-saving LED and CFL lights, water-conserving low-flow plumbing and recyclable carpet pads. I thought this article was interesting and related to the course. I especially thought it was interesting that they talk about what the rooms and suites will have to offer such as water-conserving low-flow plumbing, which we are talking about water in class.
APA style format required with website link. HYPERLINK "http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2012/02/new-yorks-historic-helmsley-hotel-to-become-a-westin/621339/1" http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2012/02/new-yorks-historic-helmsley-hotel-to-become-a-westin/621339/1
*Work cited with website link is required to check for copy and pasting of the article. Points WILL be taken off for improper citations and entries that are not in own words. Please see grading breakdown at the beginning of the student guide.