INFORMATIVE REPORT ASSIGNMENT
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r1-informative1.docxBEIT 336 SHORT REPORTS
INFORMATIVE REPORT ASSIGNMENT
Directions
Write an informative report (1 ½ pages, single-spaced in memo format, in 12 point Times New Roman) to Ms. Sandy Robertson, your supervisor and the director of employment relations of Evanston Land and Sea Transportation, using the following assignment case information.
Remember, DO NOT USE ASSIGNMENT WORDING. Use your own words to paraphrase information from the assignment case, instead of using sentences from the case and simply changing a few words.
In your report
1. include all three report sections—introduction, body (divide message into several logical sections, use first level headings), and closing
2. use personal writing style (you know the reader well and have worked with her for over six years)
3. include well-developed sentences and paragraphs with transitions (forward or backward transitional sentences and transitional words)
4. use correct punctuation, grammar, and proper standard for the use of numbers (Chapter 15)
5. include emphasis techniques such as active voice, sentence positions, headings, etc., and incorporate all other writing techniques discussed in this class
6. use topic headings
7. include a header containing memo date and page number on page two.
Remember, just give information and no recommendations. Upload your report and planning outline by 10 a.m. on Monday, July 14.
Assignment Case
You are the assistant to Ms. Sandy Robertson, director of employment relations of Evanston Land and Sea Transportation. Ms. Robertson asked you to investigate charges brought to her by Mark Ryan, the union steward who represents the employees of the maintenance department. According to Ryan, union members in the maintenance department have been discriminated against in the awarding of overtime work. He claims nonunion workers have been getting the lion’s share of overtime.
On arriving at the department, you discuss the matter with Jake Smith, the department supervisor. Smith claims that he follows company policy in giving overtime: on the basis of seniority and productivity. Smith explains: of the seven workers in the department, four are union members and three are not. The three nonunion workers have had more overtime than the others, and they deserve it. If the nonunion workers got more overtime, Smith says, it is because they have seniority and are more productive workers. The overtime policy, Smith points out, is permitted in the contract with the union.
After talking to Smith, you go to the files that contain the department’s records. Here you find data that should prove or disprove Smith’s claim. After poring over these records of the past 12 months and tallying the workers’ employment and overtime records, your summary notes look like this:
* U, union; NU, nonunion.
You will write a memo to Ms. Robertson to report what you have done to investigate this issue including what you have learned from your discussion with Jake Smith and from the employee records. You will determine if Mark Ryan’s allegation of unfair overtime assignment can be substantiated based on information you have gathered.
BEIT 336 Informative Report Grading Sheet
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Deficient |
Developing |
Satisfactory |
Superior |
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Format |
1 pt Incorrect letter/memo report format. Over four formatting errors (e.g. wrong/missing header, headings). |
2 pts Incorrect letter/memo report format. Three to four formatting errors (e.g., wrong/missing header, headings). |
3–4 pts Correct letter/memo report format. Up to two formatting errors (e.g., wrong/missing header, headings). |
5 pts Correct letter/memo report format. No formatting error. |
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Content |
0–11 pts The level of detail and depth of analysis are severely lacking, along with misinterpretation or exclusion of case information. Graphic aid adds little value to report. |
12–14 pts The level of detail and depth of analysis are lacking in some areas, w/ misinterpretation or exclusion of case information. Graphic aid adds little value to report. |
15–17 pts The level of detail and depth of analysis are sufficient; a few areas need further elaboration, and/or contain misinterpretation of case info. Minor problems with graphic aid. |
18–20 pts The level of detail and depth of analysis are appropriate and insightful. Graphic aid enhances report usefulness.
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Organization |
1 pt Report organization is illogical and arrangement of ideas inappropriate. Structural aids (intro., headings, topic sentences, transitions) mostly absent. |
2 pts Report lacks coherence due to illogical content sequencing and problems with structural aids (intro., headings, topic sentences, transitions). |
3–4 pts Report organization is generally logical and the arrangement of ideas appropriate. Minor problems with structural aids (intro., headings, topic sentences, transitions). |
5 pts Report organization is logical and coherent, and the arrangement of ideas is appropriate. Effective use of structural aids (intro., section headings, topic sentences, transitions). |
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Wording & Style |
1 pt Many word choice problems in report. Many sentences are colloquial, confusing, and wordy. Standards for the use of numbers not followed. |
2 pts Several word choice problems in report. Some sentences are colloquial, confusing, and wordy. Standards for the use of numbers not followed. |
3–4 pts Report wording is generally professional and appropriate. Most sentences are clear and concise. Standards for the use of numbers followed. |
5 pts Report wording is professional and appropriate. Writing is clear, direct, and concise. Standards for the use of numbers are followed. |
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Mechanics |
1 pt Report needs proofreading; many grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. |
2 pts Report needs proofreading; a number of grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. |
3–4 pts Report was proofread prior to submission; a few grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors remain. |
5 pts Report was proofread prior to submission. No grammar, punctuation, and spelling error. |
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Comments: Total points earned: ________ / 40 points
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BEIT 336 Report Correction Guide
Any number marked on your report correlates to the following error/correction
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A. Format Errors 1. Wrong memo format 2. Inappropriate subject (not clear; too vague) 3. Need initials next to your name 4. Need business letterhead 5. Wrong block style letter 6. Wrong modified block style letter 7. Need signature block and/or signature 8. Need header on second page or inappropriate header format 9. Wrong heading format (see study notes p. 18) B. Report Structure, Transition & Structural Aid Problems 10. Poor report structure 11. Need preview sentence 12. Poor heading (general / confusing / misleading, etc.) 13. Need parallel phrase/heading construction 14. Poor topic sentence (need better setup) 15. Abrupt transition (need transition word(s) or sentence) 16. Incomplete thought 17. Need better summary and/or conclusion 18. Need more concrete recommendation 19. Need closing C. Wording and Sentence Construction Errors 20. Do not use case wording 21. Poor word selection: inappropriate, too abstract or not in proper context 22. Confusing sentence /unclear meaning 23. Redundant or wordy sentence 24. Same verb/adjective/adverb in same or adjacent sentences 25. Excessive passive voice
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D. Inappropriate Writing Style 26. Too colloquial (improper business report style) 27. Improper tone E. Technical Errors 28. Run-on sentence 29. Incomplete sentence 30. Dangling modifier 31. Incorrect or non use of a pronoun or lack of an antecedent 32. Possessive confusion 33. Tense confusion/inconsistency 34. Plural/singular confusion 35. Incorrect spelling 36. Capitalization error 37. Punctuation error 38. Improper use of numbers in text (See text p. 320) F. Information Interpretation & Presentation Errors 39. Illogical phrase or sentence 40. Contradictory statements 41. Faulty causal inference/logic 42. Basis of comparison not clear or absent 43. Misinterpretation of case information 44. Too vague (give details) G. Graphic Aids Errors 45. Missing or poor lead-in and/or discussion before/after graphics 46. Poor table content organization 47. Poor graphic aid quality 48. Graphic aid should be used to enhance writing, not substitute it |
BEIT 336 Informative Report page 4 of 4
