11991 - 12 hrs
ltdprinwival
ProjectThreeDirections-1-1-12.docxProject Three Directions
Genre format: a problem/solution report involving the employees described below (see Purpose). This assignment requires the same content elements as the letters did, but now you need to build and incorporate a table into one of your three body paragraphs (note that if you create four body pghs, you can add a list into one, otherwise no list required in the reports). Create a Title Page for reports and use APA formatting for your research—at least three sources (more suggested so that you don’t overuse one or two). My “Table Problems Solutions Model Report” not only shows these genre requirements, but also provides information about tables, the visual stressed in this assignment.
- Content Requirement Reminders: Intro, 2 headings, 3 body pghs (table in one this time, not a list), Conclusion, References list (at least 3 sources, APA format, with corresponding brief research quotations in every STIR section of each body pgh, including table rows).
- Tone Note about Reports: Your Pro 3 and 4 documents should sound formal, not conversational, so avoid personal pronouns unless needed—e.g., you might need commands (i.e., implied “you” phrasing) if you’re recommending specific steps that your audience should take. With a business-oriented report like this, you can often use a word like “management” instead of “we” or “I.” With this genre, remember not to stress yourself.
Audience: The CEO of Makin Melodies, a relatively small company (50 employees) that designs, manufactures, and distributes musical instruments and supplies. This reader knows all of his or her employees fairly well, at least by name, but the problems involve seven recently hired (within the past year) employees, whom the CEO does not yet know well.
1. Donna Notes: Management Assistant ($38,000)—added nine months ago to help expand the Distribution Department. Her ideas, such as using drones, have not produced positive results yet, but research shows that they will. She has two young children and recently learned that she’s pregnant.
2. Joseph Tunes: Research & Development Staff ($38,000)—added four months ago to create new products. He has one hit (involving a banjo) and three misses. He is rumored to have an addiction, but he always seems to be in a good mood. He has been warned about watching Web videos during work hours.
3. Juanita Soprano: Security Officer ($33,000)—added eleven months ago after a threat was phoned in regarding the company and CEO. She is a recent transgender (hired as Juan). She spends most of her time patrolling the grounds and rarely talks to other employees (seems a bit distant when someone does interact with her). She is always on time—both arrival and departure.
4. Angela Whistler: Marketing Representative ($35,000)—added last month to expand the telemarketing services, which have generated modest increases. On the phone, she talks loudly and not always with just customers. Off the phone, she tells off-color jokes, but seems popular. She chews gum constantly.
5. Amir Bar: Computer Graphics Designer ($50,000)—added seven months ago to update the company’s website. He has already added visuals to the site and made it more user-friendly. The Advertising Department often asks for his help. A rumor recently surfaced that he and the Assistant Advertising Manager are having an affair (they are both married, but their spouses do not work at MM).
6. Gustaff Cleft: Craftsman ($40,000)—added close to one year ago to increase production of guitars. He does quick and quality work, already outpacing most of the ten other craftsmen. He is a proud supporter of the NRA and the Republican party (most of the other craftsmen are Democrats). He boasts about his guns, including an assault rifle. He sometimes sings the song “Jeremy” (by Pearl Jam) as he works.
7. Suyong Song: Distribution Staff ($34,000)—added recently due to a current staff member’s resignation (due to unsubstantiated sexual harassment claims). She is shy and rarely talks to anyone. Loud noises make her jump due to her traumatic past and PTSD diagnosis. She’s a good worker. She Tweets a lot.
Note that while you can discuss all seven employees in your report, you must mention at least four of them (if not by name, then by job title). To illustrate your points, you can also embellish information about an employee, too, but don’t be too informal—e.g., don’t use just the person’s first name when you’re explaining his or her problem (or solution).
Body Paragraph Tips: In your two “problems” body pghs, add no information about solutions; in your two “solutions” body pghs, add no information about problems. (Note: I say “two” twice in the previous sentence, but one heading section might have just a single body pgh—3 or 4 total body pghs, same as before.) Always be clear, direct, and specific. However, one other problems/solutions structure could work, especially if you see just two overall problems (ones that could be broken down, two main categories). In that case, one heading could stress one overall problem, and beneath it one pgh would explain the problem, the other the solution(s); then the other heading section would do the same thing. Just remember that a body paragraph cannot cover both problems and solutions info, because then the content would be too broad and too shifting. Whatever organization you choose, make each body pgh explain problems or solutions information, not both. That same warning’s true of your table, which must focus on and break down either problems or solutions info.
Note how this formal document applies to the course outcomes (from the syllabus):
· employ a variety of effective genres in response to recurring academic, public, and/or professional situations (Genre Knowledge)—reports are common in the “professional” world.
· apply rhetorical concepts (context, audience, and purpose, exigence, epistemology, kairos) to academic, public, and/or professional situations (Rhetorical Knowledge)—because this report represents a “professional situation,” you need to know how to present yourself. In fact, you should not highlight yourself at all—no “I,” “my,” etc.—since report writers should remain hidden: let your ideas do the talking.
· engage complex subject matter (Subject-Matter Knowledge)—you have a lot of analysis to juggle, such as all the different problems (involving the employees above) and all the possible solutions.
· analyze, engage with, and document sources in accordance with discourse community expectations and standards (Discourse Community Knowledge)—you can’t offer Google sources for this professional audience; you need to use scholarly databases, such as those mentioned above.
· engage in thoughtful, reflective practices (Meta-cognitive Knowledge)—with each paper, you have more skills to handle, this report bringing the requirement of two headings and formal phrasing.
· apply sophisticated revisions strategies to achieve paper or project goals (Process Knowledge )—the more challenging the assignment, the longer the writing process, and this paper will bring extended researching (library databases), revising (for headings now), and editing (for formal prose).
Final Note: For Pro 3, your discourse community has expanded to the business world, in which time is money, so you need to be especially professional. In fact, focus on just one appeal: to logos. Report writers should not stand out, so you do not want to highlight ethos; also, reports should be straight forward and a bit dry, so you do not want to evoke pathos (emotions) from your audience. The acronym DOCS can help since you want to be Direct, Organized, Clear, and Specific.
