1. Evaluating You-Attitude in Documents that Cross your Desk (LO 6-1 to LO 6-5) Identify three sentences that do not use “you-attitude” in documents you see as a worker, consumer, or student. This material can come from business journals, magazines, professional websites, letters you’ve received from a business or non-profit organization, etc. Write a memo to your instructor discussing your examples. Within the memo, include the following information: 1. The original sentence(s). 2. A brief description of why the material does not adhere to you-attitude. 3. A revised version of the sentence(s) that incorporates principles of you-attitude. Note: while our primary focus for this exercise is you-attitude, remember to consider some of the other concepts we’ve explored as well, such as audience awareness, reader benefits, and positive messaging. Additional guidance: * Review Module 6, pp. 91-94* Memo format, pp. 137-139
See, too, the sample letter on p. 95 as an example that lacks you-attitude. Here are some examples of sentences that have been revised:
- Sentence: I have worked hard to get you the best contract possible. Or: You’ll be happy to learn that we’re ready to offer you the best contract possible.
- Problems: Writer, not reader, oriented writing: the writer is concerned about himself, how hard he worked or how happy he is, rather than what the reader receives (benefits)
- Revisions: Under the new contract you’ll receive dental insurance.
- Sentence: You need to send us your overdue balance of $550, or we’ll probably take you to court.
- Problems: Selfish and divisive pronouns us/we and you creates a personal conflict between the writer and reader.
- Revision: Please pay the overdue balance of $550 to avoid possible legal actions. If you need help making this payment, please contact our credit department for assistance at 999-999-9999.
- Sentence: I have requested that your order is sent out today.
- Problems: Where are the reader benefits to this message? What should the reader expect?
- Revision: You will receive your order by Wednesday.
Below are some examples of criticism that certainly lack you-attitude. As practice, consider ways that you might adjust these examples based on the principles we’ve explored. (It is not necessary to include these in the memo to your instructor.) 1. Reading your report reminds me of when I was a kid and my older brother used to spin me around and around and around. I have that same disoriented feeling and sickness in my stomach right now. 2. I will say that after looking over your job application, I had a religious awakening. The fact that anyone ever hired you before makes me believe in miracles. 3. This isn’t writing. It’s typing. 4. My mother always told me to find at least one good thing to say about someone. Well, I like the font you used. 5. It’s a testament to courage and indomitable spirit that a writer with your obvious challenges with the English language has managed to make it this far. Bravo, Shakespeare. 6. I would have to fix about half the spelling and grammar mistakes in this memo just to classify it as awful. 7. Your writing is a case study on the failure of the modern education system. I’m surprised you got the staple in the right place.
2. USING READER BENEFITS: Write an Email to a Potential Customer. Imagine you are now working as a manager or owner of a business in your field. You have been given a lead to a person who may be interested in contracting your company or hiring your services. For example, if you are a health care, you want that person to visit your office to encourage the person to use your facility. If you are in sports management, you want that person to employ your services. If you in Homeland Security, you want that person to hire your company to strengthen his or her company’s security apparatus. Be creative, but realistic. In your email to the individual, be sure to anticipate and address feelings, fears, or needs that may have motivated him or her to reach out to your office/company/institution. Be sure to identify the features you offer and how those could benefit him or her. Reference all of Module 8 and in particular, see the examples in LO 8-3.Ensure your email is:
- Reader Benefits-Focused
- Adapted to the Audience
- Based on Intrinsic advantages
- Supported by clear logic and explained in adequate detail
- Phrased with the You-Attitude
3. NEGATIVE MESSAGING/PERSUASIVE MESSAGING: Saying No to the Boss (LO 13-1 to LO 13-3)Today, you received the following e-mail message from your boss:”Subject: Oversee United WayI’m appointing you to be the company representative to oversee United Way. You’ve done a good job the last three years, so this year should be a piece of cake!”It’s true that you know exactly what to do. The job wouldn’t be hard for you. But that’s just the problem. You wouldn’t learn anything, either. You’d rather have an assignment that would stretch you, teach you new skills, or enable you to interact with new people. Continuing to grow is your insurance of continued employability and mobility. Three upcoming projects in your division might offer growth:
- creating videos for a “town meeting” for all employees to be held at the beginning of next quarter,
- creating an intranet for the company,
- or serving on the diversity committee.
Any of these would be time-consuming, but no more time-consuming than running the United Way campaign. Write an e-mail to your boss, asking for something more challenging to do.
Additional guidance: review Module 13, pp. 220-224.
4. Evaluating Sources
One of the responsibilities often associated with management is the gathering of career-specific information on resources or professional development. Familiarity with professional sources shows you have interest in your field and invest time to stay current with developments and debates in your industry.For this assignment, you will identify three credible sources related to your field. You will identify the sources using accurate APA format. Then, for each source, you will write two complete paragraphs that
- Summarize the source;
- Comment on the sources benefits and currency.
The three sources should include one of each of the following sources:
- An academic or professional source from the Keiser e-library database. Avoid single articles, too. Try to identify a database or a journal relevant to your field.
- A professional news in your field or a respected commercial site like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal. An online magazine such as Forbes or Fortune might be appropriate, depending on your field.
- An organizational site such as .org, .edu, and .gov site. Examples could include American Medical Association, the National Criminal Justice Association, the American Dairymen’s Association, and so forth.
Clue: When using sources, you want to analyze the source of the data, the numbers, and what the words mean to those who may have been surveyed. For your Final Project/Portfolio you will include these sources and an introductory paragraph (250 words minimum) on your skills in researching appropriate sources and vetting them for credibility and relevance to your field.
