For today’s beginning of class writing assignment, write a memo addressed asking a subordinate to research a topic that you read about in the magazine article that you brought to class.
First, consider your audience and how you should address a co-worker who you supervise. Cordiality and professionalism should figure into your approach.
Second, consider how to help this person do the work that you’re asking. They need to know the topic that you’d like them to research. This should be as specific as possible. Context would help them quickly grasp what it is you’re asking them to learn more about. Some explanation and a quote from the article will help them do this.
Third, I would suggest framing your memo in this way: Open with a one sentence introduction that includes what you’re asking for and a deadline when they should return what they find. Then explain that you read about this topic in a magazine article about <give a one sentence summary of the article>. Next, suggest that this passage from the article should help you get started–cite the passage as demonstrated below and follow it with an APA citation for the article. Finally, thank them for their help in a concluding sentence.
Example memo:
TO: George P. Burdell
FROM: Jason Ellis
DATE: Feb. 20, 2019
SUBJECT: Research requested on China’s one-child policy
Please research China’s one-child policy and write a brief report about how it might affect our business plans there. Please send me your report by Thursday, Feb. 28.
This quote from a recent article in Time magazine about China’s aging population might help get you started:
“The scale of the problem is partly due to the legacy of the one-child policy: history’s biggest social-engineering experiment. Introduced in 1980 to reduce the number of hungry mouths to feed, the policy eventually began to act as a hitch on growth, prompting Beijing to permit parents to have two children from 2016. The policy now stands to be scrapped, with a draft civil code published in August 2018 omitting any reference to ‘family planning'” (Campbell, 2019, p. 50).
Campbell, C. (2019, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25). The gray wave set to crash into China. Time, 193(6-7), 48-53.
Thank you for your assistance with this.
In the next phase of class, we will return to Project 1. We’ll look at an example job ad and job application letter (cover letter) that responds to that ad (embedded below). For Project 1, you will want to find a job ad that you would like to apply for (I would suggest an entry-level position, internship, or CUNY Service Corp). Write your letter in response to this ad and create correspondence between one of your resumes and your letter.
eng1133-job-application-letter
TO: Jason Ellis
FROM: Kyrah McFarlane
DATE: Feb. 20, 2019
SUBJECT: Research information on Art Abandonment
Please look up information about Art Abandonment and write an article about how its done. Please send me your article by Friday, March 1st.
Here is a quote from the article in Journaling magazine about Art Abandonment to help you get an idea of what you are writing about:
“ I am a big fan of Art Abandonment, which is leaving art you created in random places for others to find it; it is a very rewarding process, a gift to the soul, and a way to share and encourage the arts” (Collister, 2019, p. 109).
Collister, K. (2019, Winter). Mini journals, big impact. Journaling, 11(1), 108 – 112.
Thank you for helping with this.
TO: Jason Ellis, Assistant Professor
FROM: Eugenia Pierre, PTW Student
DATE: 5/22/2019
SUBJECT: Research requested on three vital components of business
Please research the three vital components of business success and write a brief report about how it might affect our business plans there. Please send me your report by Thursday, Feb. 28.
This quote from a recent article in Time magazine about China’s aging population might help get you started:
“The best, most successful organizations have team members who do the right things, at the right time, for the right reason without being told to.” (Manfre, 2017, p.20)
Manfre,F. (2017,May). The three vital components of business success. Journal of Dental Technology,20.
Thank you for your assistance with this.
TO: Jason Ellis, Assistant Professor
FROM: Eugenia Pierre, PTW Student
DATE: 5/22/2019
SUBJECT: Research requested on three vital components of business
Please research the three vital components of business success and write a brief report about how it might affect our business plans there. Please send me your report by Thursday, Feb. 28.
This quote from a recent article I read by Manfre’s about the three vital components to success might help get you started:
“The best, most successful organizations have team members who do the right things, at the right time, for the right reason without being told to.” (Manfre, 2017, p.20)
Manfre,F. (2017,May). The three vital components of business success. Journal of Dental Technology,20.
Thank you for your assistance with this.
To: Jonathan Moses
From: Savan De Jesus
Date: May 22, 2019
Subject: Research Renee H. Shea
Mr. Moses, I would like you to provide with a research report on esteemed writer, Paisley Rekdal by the end of the day. Don’t stress it. Obtain and organize whatever information you can find about her. I recently read an article in Poets & Writers entitled Shadow Narratives. It provided readers with a small biography of Shea. This might be a good place for you to begin your research.
Shea, R. (2019, May/June). Shadow Narrative. Poets & Writers, 47(3), 42-49.
Thank you for your tremendous work!