Monthly Assignment #1

Assigned: Monday, January 14
Due: Wednesday, Janaury 23

Pick one of the options below. Remember that you only need to complete 4 monthly assignments this semester, so if none of these appeal to you, wait for next week.

Option 1: Analyzing a Sample of Technical Communication

Locate a piece of technical communication (or a piece of professional communication in your major)and write a 1 or 2 page memo to me in which you analyze its effectiveness. In addition to some of the factors we discussed in class, I’d like you to think about the following questions, which will move you towards a rhetorical analysis:

  • What is the context (or background) for this document? For example, what do you know (or what can you infer) about the writer, the company, the circumstances giving rise to this document?
  • What is the purpose of your example? Is it likely to accomplish this purpose? Why or why not?
  • Who seems to be the audience for this document? What sort of expectations will they have? Are those expectations met?
  • Also consider: should this document (memo, email) have been written in the first place, or would a meeting or different type of document have been better?

There are some real-life examples of memos and complaint letters on the internet:

http://notmuch.com/Features/Memos/index.html (funny memos)

http://www.complaints.com/ (easiest to use if you browse by company or company type)

http://www.4hb.com/index.html(a large number of letter templates)

Option 2: Write a letter (or memo)

Write a claims, inquiry, sales, or any other letter/ memo genre you feel it would be useful to practice. Real life examples are encouraged—consider asking a graduate program for an application or additional information; complaining to your landlord; thanking someone who’s been helpful, or responding to an inquiry you received at work, etc.

Option 3: Template Critique & Redesign

Choose one of the resume, letter, or memo templates in MS Word. Using the principles of document design we'll discuss in class, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the design (or things you like or dislike). Summarize your findings in a brief (half-or two-thirds page) memo to me, then redesign the template.