Project 5: Recommendation Report

ENG 3107: Writing for the Professions—Business & Social Sciences Rev.6.26.18

Project 5: Recommendation Report

First OWL Draft Due Date: Sunday, April 4 by 11:59 pm EST (Week 11)

Second OWL Draft Due Date: Sunday, April 11 by 11:59 pm EST (Week 12)

ENG Final Draft Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 18 by 11:59 EST

WHAT: Research and write a Recommendation Report that persuades readers to take action in response to a defi ned problem within a specifi c company or organization.

Format Requirements: • 8+ pages of written content (plus cover page, table of contents, and references page) • Proper APA format for all aspects of the report, including cover page, table of

contents, abstract, in-text citations, and references page • 6+ researched sources used within text of the document and listed on the references

page • Polished writing (i.e.: no errors in spelling, syntax, capitalization, punctuation) • Organized paragraphs and sections • 12-point Times New Roman font • Double-spaced lines • 3rd person point of view

RHETORICAL ARRANGEMENT (You must use these subheadings.)

1. Cover page • Use model provided in A Writer’s Reference

2. Table of Contents

3. Abstract • (This is a summary of the Recommendation Report using APA format based on model

provided in A Writer’s Reference; 150-250 words in length.)

4. Introduction • Define the problem that the company need to solve. Include any necessary

contextual or background information • Describe the specific company so the reader has a clear understanding of the

organization and then define your role within (or relationship to) the organization. • Define target audience for the report. • Describe the recommended solution (thesis statement) and the benefits the solution

will provide the target audience

ENG 3107: Writing for the Professions—Business & Social Sciences Rev.6.26.18

5. Discussion (you may include more points in this section than those listed below) • Argue one point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence) with

cited research data that supports the point • Argue another point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence)

with cited research data that supports the point • Argue another point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence)

with cited research data that supports the point • Address potential opposition (in a separate paragraph or include it within particular

points of the discussion)

6. Conclusion/Recommendation • Emphasize the benefits of accepting the recommendation for the target audience. • Describe next steps (call for action) the target audience must take to implement your

recommendation.

7. References • Use guidelines provided in A Writer’s Reference

HOW: Remember to refer to your annotated bibliography and your memorandum for your sources, thesis statement, and other work to prepare for this report.

Questions to ask before writing your first draft…

• What is the specific problem I will discuss in my report? • Has the problem, and its recommended solution(s) or proposed course of action,

been narrowed in scope to be described within the limits of the report’s page count? • What action do I want to convince the audience to do or accept? • Will the report attempt to solve an internal organizational problem? • Who is the target audience? • Will the report be addressed from one organization to another? Or will it be from an

individual to an organization? • Who has the power to approve the recommendations in my report? • What research findings will I need?

Checklist before submitting

✓ Have I used 6 or more high-quality researched sources in the document to support claims or give data?

✓ Have I used researched sources effectively, incorporating data, paraphrases, and quotes successfully to support claims or help readers understand the problem and solution better?

ENG 3107: Writing for the Professions—Business & Social Sciences Rev.6.26.18

✓ Did I give credit for my sources by using proper APA in-text citation and References page format rules?

✓ Have I used a hierarchy of headings to help my audience understand my logic in presenting my research?

✓ Have I defined the meanings of any acronyms, abbreviations, and special terms I used in the document by providing a glossary or by explaining them?

✓ Is my final draft 8 pages in length? The cover page, table of contents, and references page do not count towards the required 8+ page count.

✓ Does the document use 12-pt Times New Roman font and is it double spaced with 1-inch margins all around?

✓ Is my document written in 3rd person point of view? Do not use words such as “I,” “me,” “our,” “you,” etc.

✓ Is my document grammatically correct?

A Peer Review session is scheduled for the advanced draft of this assignment; participation in Peer Review as a reviewer and reviewee is required.

WHY: The Recommendation Report, an informative, analytical business document, uses facts from research to persuade an audience to take action in response to a defi ned issue or need. Recommendation Reports:

• communicate a recommended solution or plan of action from one organization to another;

• communicate a recommended solution or plan of action from an individual to an organization;

• solve an internal problem.

This assignment allows you to demonstrate understanding of rhetorical appeals and definitions used in business communication through a formal, written report. It reinforces knowledge of writing as a process in which you use personal and collaborative revision and editing skills in service of substantive revision.