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WRTG 393 students,
Writing assignment #5will be an analytical reportthat addresses a problem or issue within an organization. For this assignment, you will write a report of 2000-3000 words on a problem or issue within your workplace or community.
You will identify a problem or issue within your organization. This may be a current place of employment or a community group, such as a church, school, homeowner’s association, daycare, recreation center, soccer team, or other group.
You will then accomplish the following in the report:
- define the problem persuasively and accurately
- propose a solution or solutions to the problem or issue
- present that solution to a decision-maker or group of decision-makers who can implement the recommendation.
The report will include the following components:
- Title Page
- Letter of Transmittal
- Table of Contents
- Informative Abstract
- Body of Report
- References
Your report must also include the following:
- At least one graphic in the text.
- A minimum of five sources cited within the report.
- At least one source must be a scholarly source.
- APA style should be used in citing and listing the sources.
The complete report should be 2000-3000 words, not including the list of references. The purpose of establishing a word count is to ensure the topic chosen is neither too big nor too small. Also, writing within parameters is a common requirement in professional communications.
The complete report, as stated above, should cite at least five sources. At least one of them should come from peer-reviewed, scholarly journals. Your sources can also include interviews. The sources will be integrated into the paper to explain the problem, provide evidence of the problem, and support the solution. If you are having trouble locating scholarly sources for your topic, you can let me know during the weeks leading up to the due date for the report. I can try to help you or work with you on integrating sources.
An Excellent Resource on Analytical Reports:
-The Academic Language Learning and Success Program at Charles Darwin University has an excellent guide to writing analytical reports. Clickhere to access it.
Other Helpful Guides on Report Writing:
-Victoria University of Wellington has a thorough outline and review of the components of this type of business report. Clickhere to access it.
-Queen Margaret University has an excellent guide for this type of report. Clickhere to access it.
-Murdoch University has an outstanding guide on writing this type of report. Clickhere to access it.
-Colorado State University presents excellent tips in organizing the report. Click here to access its site.
-Monash University has a sample case study report that you might find helpful. Click here to access it.
Examples of Analytical Reports:
-For an example of an analytical report on a problem at a college campus, click here.
-For an example of on analytical report a transportation problem, click here.
-For an example of analytical report on a topic related to economics, click here.
-For an example of an analytical report on a technical topic, click here.
Topics to Help You Come Up with Ideas on this Assignment:
Some possible workplace research topics are the following. These are just examples to help you get started. Please do not feel that you have to select one of these topics.
The following topics are specific to :
- the effects of the move from WebTycho to LEO for students
- the effects of the move from WebTycho to LEO for instructors
- methods for helping instructors become acclimated to LEO
- methods for helping students become acclimated to LEO
- methods for improving online instruction at
- the feasibility of ’s offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
- the feasibility of ’s offering credit to students who complete a MOOC
The following topics have been borrowed fromLannon, J.M, Gurak, L. J, and Daemon, D. (2011). Instructor’s resource manual to accompany Technical Communication, 12th ed. Boston: Longman:
- the long-term effects of a vegetarian diet
- comparison of two or more brands of equipment
- the adequacy of veterans’ benefits
- the influence of a stadium or civic center in your city or community
- the best computer to buy for a specific need
- the best type of computer (desktop, laptop, Chromebook, tablet) for a specific need
- the best location for a new business
- the effects of budget cuts in public education in your area
- the effects of legalized gambling in your state
- the causes of low morale in your workplace
- Methods of improving productivity in your workplace
- analysis of benefits from organic farming practices
- methods of dealing with discarded computers and other types of electronic waste
- the pros and cons of taking writing classes online
- the pros and cons of taking classes online in ____ (fill in the blank with a field of study of your choice)
- the adequacy of police protection in your town or city
The following topics are ideas that have been used in previous classes:
- going to a wireless network
- going to a paperless office
- switching from Windows to Linux (or other similar switch)
- installing/upgrading company firewall
- establishing a drug policy
- establishing an employee leave donation program
- establishing an equipment donation program for used computers, etc.
- establishing a company recycling program (paper, etc.)
- education/retraining for your employees
- establishing a program for millennial workers (e.g., training on certain aspects of etiquette, on understanding other generations, etc.)
- designing a training program for workplace safety issues
- redesigning employee performance evaluations
- developing a work-at-home (telecommuting) policy
- developing a flex-time policy
- establishing on-site day care or providing other child care benefits
- providing gym membership or creating an on-site workout facility
- creating or revising a charitable contribution policy
- creating or improving a tuition assistance program
- accommodations needed for employee/s with specific health issues (for example, migraines)
- establishing a Habitat for Humanity (or other group) chapter at your organization
Some students have chosen topics outside of their workplaces, such as the following:
- betting additional lighting in the neighborhood
- changing traffic patterns around your child’s school
- installing a tot lot in your neighborhood
- constructing a crying baby room at your place of worship
- offering ESL courses at your church
- increasing participation in a military Family Support Group
Length: 2000-3000 words, not including the list of references. In other words, the text of the paper should be 2000-3000 words. The sources should be cited and listed in APA style.
Due Date:The instructor will post the due date. Keep in mind that this will be a draft. It can be a very rough draft or incomplete draft if you do not have a polished product yet.
You will receive comments from the instructor on this assignment. You will submit a final draft of the assignment into the assignment folder after receiving my comments on your first draft.
Memo
To: All Students, WRT 393: Advanced Technical Writing
From: Ms. Koppikar, Instructor
Date: 11/9/2015
Re: Potential Case Scenarios For Analytical
Report
I. Topic/Sources
Select one of the following case scenarios and write an essay accordingly:
Choice 1: Create an Academic
Course
You have been hired as the curriculum coordinator of a high
school, community college or university.
As part of this job, you are to create an academic course to teach
students about some basic life skills that they will use after graduation. The course could incorporate just about any
life skill: finance, communications,
safe driving, health, etc. Whatever you
choose, you must first outline the problem (i.e.: X% of Americans can’t effectively do their
taxes, thus, we are offering a tax course).
Then, write how this course will meet that solution and conclude with
details of how the course will work.
In order to complete this essay, you must use statistics to
back up with claim on a problem. This
would be where you would do research. Be
sure you use a primary source (article, academic study) and not something like
Wikipedia or About.com.
Choice 2: Create a Television
Program
A backer has offered you money to
create and produce a television program. The television program could be educational
or entertaining. It could be a sitcom,
drama, news program, talk show, or reality show.
If you chose this option, it should
target a segment of the U.S. population.
Please consult the U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/. This
is a requirement for one of your sources.
Please also consult two other
sources (do not use Wikipedia or About.com) to flesh out your essay.
Then, write an essay outlining the following:
1. What
is lacking with regards to television programming for a certain target market;
1
2.
Why your type of programing would meet that
need;
3.
What your show would contain.
Choice 3: Alternative Energy
After a town has been devastated by a hurricane, you have
been hired to help upgrade its power utility structure. As such, research an alternative source of
energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, biomass or hydrogen and argue
why the town should adopt this type of energy to light its homes, buildings and
factories.
Some sources to consider:
1.
National Geographic, http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/alternative-energy
2.
U.S. Department of Energy, http://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources
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