ENG315 Full Course Latest 2017 June

ENG315 Week 1 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 1 Discussion

"Business, Interpersonal, and Group Communication and Interference" Please respond to the following:

Communicating in the workplace provides us with opportunities to both listen and express ourselves effectively or ineffectively. As the the video titled “A Failure to Communicate” (2 min 28 s) located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ox5LhIJSBE demonstrates, it only takes a few seconds to initiate a communication breakdown. From the e-Activity, discuss the major interferences that can cause workplace miscommunications. Consider topics from your readings this week, including ethnocentrism, kinesic messages, and role perceptions.

Describe a situation where you personally experienced (or became aware of) communication interferences that had a negative consequence.

ENG315 Week 2 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 2 Discussion

"Audience, Context, and Email" Please respond to the following:

Being able to send appropriate, professional emails is a vital skill in today’s workplace. When considering audience and context, determine why it is so important to know to whom you are writing and for what specific purpose you are sending the email communication.

Describe an example of a workplace or personal email communication in which the sender (you or someone else) did not pay close attention to audience and context. Ascertain the consequences. Determine how the miscommunication might have been avoided.

ENG315 Week 3 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 3 Discussion

"Criteria" Please respond to the following:

• Criteria are a critical part of the justification report assignment. This is an excellent forum to enlist the assistance of your classmates if you are having difficulty deciding what criteria to choose for Assignment 2.1.
• For this thread, you should:
• Define the term criteria and examine two (2) ways they function in helping someone make an important decision.Note: You can use an example from your own life to help clearly explain your point.
• Discuss your potential topic for the justification report (a workplace problem – see Assignment 2.1 details) then determine which criteria you intend to use to help make your decision. Be sure to cite two (2) reasons why you chose those criteria.

ENG315 Week 4 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 4 Discussion

"Preparing Reports and Proposals - Research" Please respond to the following:

• Locate a secondary source on EBSCOHost published in the past year that will help you explore the problem you have raised in your Justification Report. (Use the "Cite" tool on the EBSCOHost Website to copy and paste the APA Reference information into your response so that your classmates and instructor can see the source.) Next, explain why you chose this source, and determine how it will help you to evaluate your alternatives (i.e. possible solutions offered) and arrive at a recommendation for your employer.

ENG315 Week 5 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 5 Discussion

"Incorporating Graphics Into the Justification Report" Please respond to the following:

• This week, you are to add a graph to your Justification Report. Discuss how you'll approach this part of your assignment, and state the main reasons why you feel that graphs are a necessary part of a formal report.
• From Part 1 of this discussion, determine the main benefits of using graphs in the report presentation. Next, explain the matter in which a creatively constructed graph might help you to better manage and present your data.

ENG315 Week 6 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 6 Discussion

"Putting it All Together - Revising the Justification Report" Please respond to the following:

• This week, you will utilize the techniques that you have studied in your Week 6 readings to revise your Justification Report while adding the final parts. Based on your readings, state three (3) things that you will be looking for as you revised and proofread (e.g. organization, structure, grammar elements). Discuss the strategies that you will implement to ensure that your assignment is polished and in final draft format.

ENG315 Week 8 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 8 Discussion

Creating power point presentations:

This week,you'll be working on creating a power point presentation on the justification report you've just turned in.One new,added feature about the presentation is that,since this is an on line class,you need to do the presentation by adding a voice over to the power points.If,for any reason,you're unable to add narration,you need to at least use the Notes section in power point to present your information.

• Have you created power point slides before?
• What are key tips you want to share in creating power points?
• Have you used the voice over feature before?
• Have you used the Notes section before?
• Have you presented in front of an audience?How do you feel about that?

Please share your thoughts on any of these or anything else you can think of on creating power point presentations.

ENG315 Week 9 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 9 Discussion

"Getting the Job" Please respond to the following:

As the video titled “Melissa Forman – Hilarious Resume Typos” (4 min 55 s) located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FClWySJ6Sxs demonstrates it is very important to avoid mistakes when writing resumes and cover letters. Think back over your background and job history. What types of messaging have you used that are related to “finding” and “obtaining” employment? Some examples may include: job application cover letters, thank you notes, job-acceptance letters, recommendation requests, and others. Based on the video you watched, determine what the protocol is in your field or area of interest, and ascertain what makes an effective messaging tool. Please share relevant experiences / anecdotes from your work life.

ENG315 Week 10 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 10 Discussion

"Reflection" Please respond to the following:

• Review a guide to writing cover letters, located at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/549/01/. Next, reflect on what you learned regarding the importance and structure of job application cover letters. Ascertain the key factors an employer may take into consideration when determining whether or not an applicant receives a job interview.

Identify two (2) key skills that you learned during the course that you think will add to your communication effectiveness.

ENG315 Week 11 Discussion Latest 2017 June

Week 11 Discussion

"Presentation Sharing" Please respond to the following:

• This is your time to shine! Please post your report presentation from Week 8 to this thread, so that we can appreciate and applaud your accomplishments throughout the quarter!

ENG315 Week 2 Assignment 1 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 1: Procedural Email Message

Due Week 2 and worth 140 points

Write a procedural email message to employees reminding them of standard operating procedures or organizational changes that take the form of step-by-step instructions. Be creative, or use an issue applicable to your work environment. (Example can be found on page 76, Figure 5.1, of the course text.)

The message should take the form of an email; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The procedural message must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content:

1. Introduce the main idea of the message in a concise, informative manner.

2. Itemize three to five (3-5) key points with detail.

3. Provide information about where and to whom questions should be directed.

2. Format:

1. Use a descriptive subject line or heading.

2. Use bullets to separate ideas and simplify reading.

3. Style:

1. Include an appropriate and professional greeting / salutation.

2. Use email form including: To:, From:, Subject:, and Signature.

4. Clarity / Mechanics:

1. Ensure that there are no grammar or spelling errors.

2. Ensure that there are no clarity, writing, and mechanical errors.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Submitting your assignment:

• Submit your assignment through the online course shell only.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Use writing process strategies to develop brief business documents, such as routine messages, bad news messages, and persuasive/sales messages.
• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.

ENG315 Week 3 Assignment 2.1 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 2.1: Justification Report – Part 1

Due Week 3 and worth 150 points

In Assignments 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, you will be building up a formal, researched justification report (one part at a time) that culminates in a recommendation to implement a particular product, service, or program in your place of employment. This recommended product, service, or program should resolve a problem that you identify in your workplace and should be directed to your employer (even if you do not actually plan to share it with your employer).

Use the basic outline below to draft Assignment 2. Organize your responses to each question under the following section headings:

• Problem Statement (for Question 1)
• Overview of Alternatives (for Question 2)
• Criteria (for Question 3)
• Methods (for Question 4)

Using the provided template, write Part 1 of a single-spaced report in which you:

1. Discuss in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

2. Provide a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

3. List and detail five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.Note: The alternative that satisfies the most criteria to the highest degree will be the one you recommend later to your employer (in Assignment 2.3). Criteria are standards that the audience values and are therefore used to measure the worth of each alternative (common examples include cost, desirability, durability, efficiency, time it will take to implement, and practicality).

4. Describe in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer.Note: This is a one to two (1-2) paragraph description of what research needs to be completed in order to evaluate the alternatives. This is not a detailed procedure for solving the problem.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Apply writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or proposals.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues related to selected topics.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.

ENG315 Week 5 Assignment 2.2 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 2.2: Justification Report - Part 2
Due Week 5 and worth 150 points

In Part 1 of your Justification Report assignment, you built up the following sections: Problem Statement, Overview of Alternatives, Criteria, and Methods. In Part 2, you will revise Part 1 based on your instructor's suggestions and add to it the following sections: Evaluation of Alternatives, Findings and Analysis, and References.

Use the basic outline below to draft your paper. Organize your responses to each question under the following section headings:

• Evaluation of Alternatives (for Questions 1-3)
• Findings and Analysis (for Questions 4-5)
• References (for Question 6)

Using the provided template, write Part 2 of a single-spaced report in which you:

1. Include and revise the sections from Assignment 2.1 (Problem Statement, Overview of Alternatives, Criteria, and Methods) per instructor suggestions.

2. Research the two (2) alternatives (i.e. possible solutions) that you've identified in your Part 1 Evaluation of Alternatives section. Record bibliographic information during research.

1. Example: You might research other organizations that have attempted similar solutions to the problem you have identified and explore the results of those experiments.

3. Use what you discover in your research to evaluate each alternative by each of your five (5) criteria.

1. Example: If your research revealed that four (4) companies similar to yours increased productivity after allowing their workers to telework from home three days per week, you might conclude that one of your suggested alternatives – in this case, the option to telework from home three days per week – satisfies one of your criterion of “Productivity” as a high-potential solution to a problem you’ve identified (of decreased worker morale and productivity at Doe’s Electronics). However, additional research might frustrate a recommendation of this alternative if it is found to fall short of other criteria while a second alternative fares better. For instance, a telework alternative might be found to be too costly to implement; too frustrating for consumers who prefer daily, in-person customer service; or too divergent from the company’s brand, “Always there for you!”

4. Organize the assignment by your criteria. Explain in narrative form how each of your two (2) alternatives stacks up against your first criterion. Next, explain how each alternative stacks up against your second criterion, etc.

1. Example: An abbreviated outline of what this longer section might look like based on the above example is below (Note: Only the first two [2] of five [5] required criteria are included to give you a feel for the structure). Your researched findings, represented as circled bullets below, should be explained in two to five (2-5) sentences. Include in-text citations and follow up with References in APA style):

Evaluation of Alternatives

§ Productivity

2.

§ Alternative A: Telework from home three (3) days per week

§ {narrate findings based on research article 1 here}

§ Alternative B: Offer two (2) extra Floating Holidays to each employee per year

§ {narrate findings based on research article 2 here}

§ Cost

4.

§ Alternative A: Telework from home three (3) days per week

§ {narrate findings based on research article 1 here}

§ Alternative B: Offer two extra Floating Holidays to each employee per year

§

§ {narrate findings based on research article 2 here}

Briefly summarize in narrative form the major discoveries that emerged from the Evaluation of Alternatives section.

Include a chart like the ones below to illustrate at a glance:

Figure 1: Alternatives Analyzed by Criteria

Criteria	Telework Option	Floating Holiday Option
Productivity	Very high	Negligible increase
Cost	Very high	Moderate
Company Image	Increased	Negligible increase
Worker Morale	Increased	Negligible increase
Practicality	Moderate	Low
TOTAL Feasibility* of Alternatives based on Criteria?	Moderate to High	Low to Moderate

*Feasability = Capability of an alternative being carried out with success

Include an APA style (6th edition) References page that documents the two (2) sources (minimum) that you used and cited in-text in your Evaluation of Alternatives section. You may use secondary resources, or you may include one primary source and one secondary source. Remember that both in-text citations and References must be included (to avoid plagiarism) whenever you are directly quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing researched material.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Apply writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or proposals.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues related to selected topics.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.

ENG315 Week 7 Assignment 2.3 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 2.3: Justification Report – Part 3 (Final)

Due Week 7 and worth 180 points

In Assignments 2.1 (Part 1) and 2.2 (Part 2) of the Justification Report, you built up the major parts of your formal, researched justification report (Problem Statement, Overview of Alternatives, Criteria, Methods, Evaluation of Alternatives, Findings and Analysis, and References). For Part 3 you will begin by inserting your revisions of Parts 1 and 2 based on your instructor’s suggestions. Then, you will include a few new sections.Note: Some sections presented below are out of order so pay attention to where the section should go (for instance, the Transmittal should be the second page of your report based on the provided template). It is essential that you present the final report in the correct section order.

Use the basic outline below to draft your paper. Organize your responses to each question under the following section headings:

• Preliminary Parts (for Question 1)
• Introduction (for Question 2)

·

• Problem Statement (for Question 2b)
• Terminology (for Question 2c)
• Major Sections of the Report (for Question 2d)
• Scope and Limitations of the Research (for Question 2e)
• Recommendation (for Question 3)
• References (for Question 4)

Using the provided template from Week 7, write Part 3 to complete a single-spaced report in which you:

1. Create the preliminary parts of the report that precede the Introduction (after reading Chapter 11 in the textbook). Each element (1a to 1d) appears on a separate page (1a should be page 1, 1b should be page 2, etc.). The preliminary part includes:

1. Title Page

2. Transmittal (stand-alone business letter)

3. Table of Contents

4. Executive Summary

2. Create an introduction that tells what your report is about. The introduction includes:

1. Begin with a general introduction paragraph that gives the reader any needed background information on the company or problem.

2. Include the Problem Statement that you already created and revised in Part 1.

3. Include terms that readers will need to know in order to understand the report.

4. Briefly summarize the major sections and findings of the report developed in Parts 1 and 2.Note: This is in addition to including the revised sections not instead of including the revised previous sections from Parts 1 and 2.

5. Discuss what your report will cover and what it will not (including limitations such as research, time, information, or any other factors the reader should consider when reading the report).

3. Create the Recommendation section of the Report.

1. Provide a one to two (1-2) sentence recommendation based on what your Evaluation of Alternatives and Findings and Analysis sections have determined is the most feasible alternative (i.e., solution) to the problem in the Problem Statement.

4. Create the References section, which goes at the end of the Report by pasting in your revised References page.

Note: Remember to organize the report by the section headings. The report should reflect a style and format appropriate for business; single spacing and bullet points are acceptable for formal business reports.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Apply writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or proposals.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues related to selected topics.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.

ENG315 Week 8 Assignment 3 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 3: Justification Report – Presentation

Due Week 8 and worth 150 points

Now that you have completed your report, it is time to design and present your findings. Your task is to organize and develop the three (3) parts (introduction, body, and closing) of an effective presentation, based on your Justification Report (Assignment 2.3). Chapter 12 in our text provides overall information on presentation format, content, and delivery. Please do not simply cut and paste your justification report content to the slides. Instead develop clear, concise content that enhances your presentation narration or notes. Remember that your slides are meant to be highlights and your audience should not spend a great deal of time reading from the slides but instead listening to you present the concepts.

Create an eight to ten (8-10) slide presentation in which you:

1. Ensure that your PowerPoint presentation fulfills the appropriate length requirements and professional style requirements.

2. Open with an engaging introduction of the topic of your report. Include one (1) title slide and one (1) introductory slide.

3. For the body of your presentation, cover the main points of your report. Create slides that reinforce and illustrate your main ideas. Follow basic design principles for effective slide content.

4. For your single closing slide, finish with a memorable wrap-up statement that refocuses on the purpose of your report.

5. Use PowerPoint voice-over and / or the notes section to present your slides.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Include a title slide containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title slide is not included in the required slide length.
• Format the PowerPoint presentation with headings on each slide, and two to three (2-3) relevant graphics (photographs, graphs, clip art, etc.) throughout the presentation, ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and readable from 18 feet away. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Slides should abbreviate the information in no more than five or six (5 or 6) bullet points each.
• Slide titles should be based on the criteria being summarized (e.g., “Four Key Attributes,” “Responses to Budget Issues,” etc.).

Assignment Checklist

• Descriptive titles on each of the slides
• Text contains concise, precise content
• Graphics convey the idea described by the slide text
• Statements in bulleted lists have a parallel structure
• The font size is easily read from a distance
• There are no more than three (3) different font styles in the presentation
• The color and background convey a formal business tone
• Animation effects are used in moderation
• There are no misspellings or typographical errors

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Assess strengths and weaknesses in the student’s own oral communication and in the oral communication of others.
• Use sentence variety, effective word choice, and correct grammar in oral communication.
• Analyze verbal and nonverbal techniques that enhance oral communication within a business and / or professional context.

ENG315 Week 10 Assignment 4 Latest 2017 June

Assignment 4: Job Application Cover Letter

Due Week 10 and worth 130 points

Completing this assignment will help you name and identify the skills and abilities that will move your career forward. Develop a Job Application Cover Letter that highlights and emphasizes whyyou are the person most suitable for your ideal role. Use the general writing guidelines on pp. 277-278 in the text for structural and content guidance.Note: An example can be found on p. 250, Figure 13.8.

The message should take the form of a business letter; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The job letter / application message must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content

1. Highlight relevant background and job history information.

2. Emphasize significant qualifications and exclude nonessential ideas.

2. Format

1. Follow proper letter formatting techniques, per business letter format.

2. Use an appropriate and professional greeting and closing.

3. Style

1. Use professional language.

2. Use sufficient variety in sentences.

3. Paragraphs effectively developed and efficient.Note: Six (6) or seven (7) lines when possible.

4. Mechanics

1. Ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors.

2. Eliminate wordiness and unclear sentence construction.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Submitting your assignment:

• Submit your assignment through the online course shell only.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Use writing process strategies to develop brief business documents, such as routine messages, bad news messages, and persuasive / sales messages.
• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.