Weekly discussion post

Week 1.

Workplace Writing Practice: Technical Descriptions Actions for 'Workplace Writing Practice: Technical Descriptions'

Instructions:

Combine the two topics of workplace writing and technical descriptions by analyzing one example of a technical description that would be used in the workplace (ex. equipment instructions, evacuation procedures in a crisis, etc.).

Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Locate one example of a technical description that would be used in the workplace and copy and paste either the document or the link for it.

Step 2: Analyze the sample description and discuss both the visual and written aspects. If there are no images, discuss how they might have improved the description. Be concrete and specific by considering a variety of points, including content, warnings if needed, font size, color, etc

Week 2.

Analysis of Workplace vs. Academic Writing Actions for 'Analysis of Workplace vs. Academic Writing'

Instructions:

WRTG 293 is an interesting course because the learning outcomes focus on two types of professional writing -- workplace and academic. In this class, we make the connection by having you write a Global Research Paper about a workplace topic.

Although the topic is workplace related, you have the opportunity to review APA because in our workplace scenario, the recipient of the workplace report wants the employee to format it according to the APA guidelines because the recipient is enrolled in an MBA course and must publish an article in the APA format. This is a logical scenario.

In fact, if you enroll in graduate school, you may find yourself publishing using APA. I know I did.

APA is one difference between workplace and academic writing, but let's analyze some other differences now because next week we start working on the APA-formatted Global Research Paper. What are some differences between workplace and academic writing?

Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Think about the differences between workplace writing and academic writing.

Step 2: Find a one-paragraph sample of workplace writing from the textbook, a letter you received from an organization, a memo you found on the Internet, etc. Don't use samples from your own past or current jobs because you could violate a confidentiality agreement.

Step 3: Find a one-paragraph sample of academic writing from the textbook, an essay you wrote, a school report you found on the Internet, etc.

Step 4: Compare and contrast the two documents to analyze specific differences in writing style, content, audience, and purpose. Be concrete and specific and use at least one direct quote from each of the writing samples to illustrate differences between academic and workplace writing. Consider the stakeholders and their agendas when you analyze the writing samples

Week 3.

Analysis of Famous Plagiarism Cases Actions for 'Analysis of Famous Plagiarism Cases'

Instructions:

In Week 1, you posted your plagiarism certificate as proof that you understand how to give credit when you borrow ideas and phrasing from anyone else.

I am concerned about plagiarism because students can understand in theory how to avoid plagiarizing, but in practice they may become careless, especially if enough time has not been allocated to writing assignments.

To emphasize the importance of keeping track of sources and citing them appropriately, let's analyze famous plagiarism cases this week as you start working on the Global Research Paper.

Complete the following steps.

Step 1: Use appropriate keywords in an Internet search (ex. plagiarism, New York Times, academic, journalism, presidential, etc.) to locate any kind of a case involving plagiarism. This case may involve journalism, job searches, high school or college, work, advertising, public life, etc.

Step 2: Check this discussion forum to see if another student has selected this case.

You will receive no credit for your post if another student has already written about this incident in the same way.

However, you may write about it from your own perspective by using a different source that provides a different opinion about the incident.

Step 3: Summarize the case in one paragraph and provide your own view in another paragraph. For example, you could argue that the penalty should have been more or less severe.

Step 4: Use the APA format to cite your source. (Due Date: Thursday for the Original Post)

Week 4.

Annotated Bibliographies: Researching and Citing Sources Actions for 'Annotated Bibliographies: Researching and Citing Sources'

Instructions:

Create an annotated bibliography of three potential sources that you may use to develop your Global Research Paper. You will have the option of replacing these sources with others if desired.

Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Develop an annotated bibliography of three references. At least one must be retrieved from the database.

Step 2: Provide a brief annotation using at least three sentences to discuss each reference. First, briefly summarize the article or other source and then discuss how you may decide to integrate the information into your report.

Step 3: Above each annotation, write the correct APA references page citation.

Step 4: Alphabetize your references according to the last name of the author if available. Follow the APA guidelines for alphabetizing.

Week 5.

Audience Analysis: Survivor Guilt Actions for 'Audience Analysis: Survivor Guilt'

Instructions:

In this writing exercise, you will write essentially the same memo for two different audiences.

Scenario: Survivor guilt is a common problem during a challenging economy. It can be traumatic for coworkers to watch others leave their jobs while they are still employed.

With their workload often increased, the remaining employees must deal with the stress of wondering why they still have jobs when others don't.

In addition, the employees often fear they will be next, and it is common to network with the laid-off workers for a variety of reasons.

Imagine that you are employed at a company involved in downsizing. Although you still have your job, your boss does not.

Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Brainstorm and decide how to send a message to your former boss on his last day at the company (memo? letter? text? phone call?). You will need to think about what you want to achieve with this message before you write or speak it. What are your specific objectives, and how can you achieve them with a brief message? Consider the issues (ex. corporate letterhead or not?).

Step 2: Write and save the message into a document. (If it is a phone call or conversation, write the script of what you intend to say.)

Step 3: Same scenario and process as above, except that the boss is your uncle who got you the job. How will this change the specifics (ex. channel, medium. length, language, etc.)?

Step 4: Write and paste this second message under the first one. Label the two parts appropriately.

Step 5: Write an explanation to explain the differences between the two messages and your rationale for your choices.

Step 6: Paste the explanation underneath the two messages. Include an appropriate heading above the explanation before posting your three-part assignment in this discussion forum.

Week 6

Instructions:

The revision process is crucial for many reasons. For example, if you have a detailed outline, you can draft quickly for two reasons: You have the right ingredients in the best order and by drafting quickly, you are more likely to be creative. You won't be distracted by potential errors that can be fixed later. Therefore, when you save time in your schedule for revising, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To see how revision improves your writing, let's study some specific examples from your Global Research Papers.

Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Compare an earlier version of your rough draft of the Global Research Paper with this week's version.

Step 2: Choose one significant revision that you made.

Step 3: Post the two sections of your assignment and label them Original and Revision.

Step 4: In the same post, include a detailed discussion to explain your thought processes as you made the revision to show why the revised sentences or graphic are more effective

Week 7

Instructions:

The job search process has changed dramatically as technology has evolved in the last decade. Let's think about how the Internet and specific social networking web sites can harm or contribute to an applicant's job search.

Complete these steps:

Step 1: Respond to the task assigned to you, according to the first letter in your last name. (Due Date for Original Post: Thursday)

Step 2: Read the responses of the other four teams and respond to one person by Saturday. Try to respond to a post that has not been addressed or respond with a different perspective so that our discussion is not repetitive. (Due Date for Follow-Up Post: Saturday)

TEAM 1: LAST NAME STARTS WITH A - B

Using a search engine, study social-networking sites that job seekers in your major might want to use. Describe only one topic that you think students in your major might want to see covered in a discussion of how to use social networking sites. Choose a topic that another team member has not yet discussed so that our discussion in not overly repetitive.

TEAM 2: LAST NAME STARTS WITH C - IJ

Using a search engine, study several social-networking sites that job seekers in your major might want to use. Describe only one benefit of using these social networking sites. Choose a benefit that another team member has not yet discussed so that our discussion in not overly repetitive.

TEAM 3: LAST NAME STARTS WITH K - MA

Using a search engine, study several social-networking sites that job seekers in your major might want to use. Describe only one potential threat of using these social networking sites. Choose a potential threat that another team member has not yet discussed so that our discussion in not overly repetitive.

TEAM 4: LAST NAME STARTS WITH MB - R

Using a search engine, study many social-networking sites that job seekers in your major might want to use. Choose the site that you would most recommend and justify your recommendation to use this site.

TEAM 5: LAST NAME STARTS WITH S - Z

Using a search engine, study many social-networking sites that job seekers in your major might want to use. Choose the site that you think is the worst and justify your recommendation to avoid using this site.

Week8

Week 8 Reflection Post Actions for 'Week 8 Reflection Post'

Instructions:

Let's end the course by analyzing the process you used to complete the Global Research Report.

Step 1: Review your Global Research Report and reflect upon both process and product.

Step 2: Write a post responding to the following questions:

What was the most challenging part of this research project? Explain what created the challenge and reflect upon whether a different process could make the project easier.

How did you perform your research? Be specific when you describe the methods you used and the sources that were included on your references page.

What advice would you give to a student who had to write a research report? Discuss whether your advice would be the same if you were helping an employee in your field. If not, explain why the two projects must be completed in different ways.