Seminar 2 Getting Started on the CM225 Writing Situations

Unit 2 Readings This week (as always) we have good videos and reading materials; be sure to learn what they are telling you. For the readings, take notes, or print them out and highlight the important ideas. For the videos—watch and listen, then the second time, just listen—look away, so you aren’t distracted by the peoples’ offices and expressions.

Unit 2 Project Write a 1-page essay. Explain how you will solve the problem of time management as you fit school into your already busy schedule. Be sure to cover all 6 steps in the problem- solving process: Analyze the problem; Establish a goal; Brainstorm possible solutions (strategies- see below) ; Create the solution; Evaluate the solution: Will it actually solve the problem…, is there evidence? Adjust solution if necessary. Be VERY concise!!!

Unit 4 Project Looking head, let’s generate ideas for the informative essay due in Unit 4. What are the instructions? 2-3 pages, plus title page and references page Informative only. Do not take a position or persuade; of be background information; be objective and informative; present a balanced analysis, or benefits and disadvantages Format for APA style.

What to Write About? Explore a particular business issue from the list provided in the Unit 1 “Assignment” link (list on next slide). Focus on an issue that is relevant to your experience and interests, your work field, or your volunteer or education experience. Note: whatever subject you select, you will need to limit the topic to a specific, arguable issue within this topic. The following is not a list of required topics, nor is this list all inclusive. You can create your own topic focus based on your interests and experience. It is a list of topic ideas for you to think about.

Ideas for Topics cultural diversity social responsibility the green work environment telecommuting outsourcing e-commerce impact environmental responsibility contemporary advertising strategies management strategies employee motivation information security any business problem that your current company, city or state government, or children’s school needs to address

Janice Logan’s Ideas Janice Logan’s printing company is in financial trouble. She brainstormed some topic ideas, researched some issues, and read some articles on the problem her company is facing. She then came up with a list of ideas. Here is a list of some possible research questions she might want to explore:

Janice Logan’s List Why is Greenwich publishing facing this problem? What are some possible solutions? What is digital publishing? How can our company cut costs without losing employees? Should we hire a consultant to help us with this problem? Can we reduce costs by cutting the number of books we publish? Could telecommuting be an answer? What do you think of Janice’s list?

Microsoft List There is another list of research questions, about Microsoft, in the PDF file under the Readings link. Study that list. You will see that research questions span a wide variety of possible topics to write about. These questions result from brainstorming and recording every idea that comes to your mind. Later, you pick out the single question your composition will focus on.

Generate Research Questions For each potential topic of the Unit 4 paper, please share 1 research question you can think of. Please wait to post your question until a topic comes up that you have a question for, so our answers stay together. First, cultural differences in the workplace or school. Second, social responsibility—businesses giving back to the community

Generate Research Questions Third, the green work environment Fourth, telecommuting Fifth, outsourcing Sixth, environmental responsibility Seventh, contemporary advertising strategies Eighth, management strategies

Generate Research Questions Ninth, employee motivation Tenth, information security Eleventh, any business problem that your current company, city or state government, or children’s school needs to address As you can see, coming up with questions starts to narrow down the scope of your research.

Audience & Purpose How do we create an audience and purpose in a writing situation? Why does the reader matter? Isn’t the most important thing to get our ideas out on paper, well-organized and fully developed? How does our purpose reflect the reader we have chosen?

Thesis Statements Let’s practice writing strong thesis statements. A thesis statement is a very long sentence (25 or more words) that condenses the paper’s contents, and reveals your purpose. The thesis statement is never expressed as a question; it is always a declarative sentence. It is usually found in the Introduction paragraph, and prepares readers for what to expect in the paper.

Write a Thesis Statement A working thesis statement is just a hypothesis or guess about what you hope to be able to prove. It helps you to focus and limit your research. Remember the research questions we asked about any of the suggested topics on the Unit 1 list. Take 1 topic, and write a thesis statement.