1. Write a Formal Letter
Write a Formal Letter to a Supervisor or Office. See Unit 1, Module 2, p. 36
Imagine that your organization has a generous tuition reimbursement program, but currently employees must take classes outside of regular business hours. You’ve noticed that many classes you want or need at the local university are offered infrequently during evenings or weekends. Address your letter to the correct person or office.
For Additional Guidance:
Present a logical case with clear facts.
Even though form letters can save money and time, do not use one in this case.
Consider some of the questions found on p. 36 under 2-16.
Reference pp. 19-24 for guidelines on writing and positive messaging.
See p. 129 for an example letter.
2. Write a Formal Email
Write a Formal Email Persuading a Lender to Defer Paying a Student Loan (LO 2-2)
Many college graduates today leave school with large debts from student loans. Though the loans must be repaid, the time to do so and the monthly payment are determined by the lender. With a touch economy making it harder to find a job, students may also find it harder to repay loans. Many lenders, however, expect them to start doing so upon graduation. You plan to request a deferral to start paying back your loan.
To do so, answer the following questions about your audience:
What is at stake for the lender if it defers the loan?
What regulating bodies (e.g., state and federal government) govern how a lender may alter the terms of a loan agreement?
What objections might a lender raise to deferring the loan?
What other resources might the lender suggest tapping in order to repay the loan?
What might the lender expect from you as a guarantee that you will repay the loan after the deferral?
What channel is the best way to reach the lender?
What tone will work best in the message to the lender?
How long of a deferral are you requesting?
For Additional Guidance:
Reference pp. 219-221 for email formatting.
Review Unit 2, pp. 102-108.
3. Write a Formal Memo
Announcing Holiday Diversity (LO 13-1 to LO 13-3)
Your organization has traditionally given employees several holidays off: New Year’s; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Independence Day; Veterans’ Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas. Employees who celebrate other holidays (e.g., Good Friday, Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, the Hindu Holiday Diwali) have been able to take those days off with the consent of their supervisors. But some employees have complained that it is unfair to depend on the goodwill of supervisors. And now a few other employees have complained that people who honor other holidays are getting “extra” days off since they take those days in addition to the standard holidays.
Therefore, the executive committee of your organization has decided to allow employees any 10 days off for holidays. They will have to tell their supervisors which days they plan to take off. People will be asked in December which holidays they want to take off in the following year. People can change their minds during the year as long as they have not yet taken off the full 10 holidays. Any religious, ethnic, or cultural holiday is acceptable. (Someone who wants to take off Cinco de Mayo or Bastille Day can do so.) Vacations, personal days off, and sick days are not affected by this policy.
As vice president for human resources, write a memo to all employees, announcing the new policy.
Hints:
* Pick a business, government, or nonprofit organization that you know something about.
* Will the office be “open” every day? If not, do all employees already have keys, or will they need to pick them up so they can get into the office to work days that few other people work?
* See www.holidayfestival.com for a list of holidays in various countries.
* Use the memo format found on page 138 or 139.
4. Write Interview Questions
Interview Questions: Importance of Written Communications in Your Field. See Unit 3, Module 13, pp. 217-227; Unit 7, Module 30, pp. 507-512
Recent research proves that written communication skills are at the top of employers’ wish lists. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73.4% of employers want a candidate with strong written communication skills. Written communication was the number three most desired quality overall, behind leadership skills and ability to work as a team member. (Moore, 2017, para. 2)
For this assignment, you will explore the importance of written communication in the workplace by interviewing a professional, ideally in the field you wish to enter upon completion of your degree, a series of questions on the role of writing in the professional world. This is NOT a mock interview. You must interview a person that represents a true “professional” to you. You may ask an employer or supervisor, a professor, a mentor, or someone on your campus. Try to pick a person who you would like to imitate in the future, such as someone who holds a position you wish to have. Do NOT interview a family member or your instructor for this class. You may interview the person on the phone, via email, or in person.
You must ask a total of FIVE questions. Be sure several of the questions deal with writing and communication within the person’s professional career field.
You may use a MAXIMUM OF THREE of the questions found on pp. 70-71. Reference p. 69 and p. 441, LO 26-4.
Include a paragraph (250 words) on what you learned from the interview and how it will help you in the future.
Format this assignment as follows:
Interviewee Name:
Position:
Company:
Contact Information (email is acceptable):
Question 1: Include Your Question Here
Response:
Question 2: Include Your Question Here
Response:
Question 3: Include Your Question Here
Response:
Question 4: Include Your Question Here
Response:
Question 5: Include Your Question Here
Response:
Remember to include your reflection (250 words) on what you learned from the interview and how it will help you in the future.
