Ch. 11 Review

Graphic elements can greatly enhance a memo, report, or other compositions.  They also enhance oral presentations by giving the audience something to focus on as the speaker is addressing them.  The effects can direct their attention with lines, directional photos, and other visual aspects.  Shapes and numbers can make things appear more interesting.  For example, when I am reading a long report, and suddenly I see a large pyramid that has labels indicating its important sections, there is almost a glee that enters my mind when I examine it.  The thought, "oh goodie!" can almost be recognized.  When we can create  that level of interest in the minds of our readers, they will be more likely to pay attention and respond to our work.  In addition, by displaying an attractive front, we will appear more professional and desirable, making it more likely that we will be able to work effectively with our readers.

Ch. 10 Review

Business reports are a key element in the developement of an organization.  The purpose of the report is to ensure that information within the business is accurate and up do date.  If these reports are not done well, those in charge will have imperfect knowledge of what they should do.  They will be misinformed about what resources they have to work with, the problems that remain to be solved, whether or not they are going in the right direction, and countless other important issues. 

Because each report has a different purpose, each one has a different structure.  The facts are displayed differently, the reports either persuade or inform the readers, and HATS is used in different ways.  Large reports must be carefully reviewed in order to ensure continuity in the way that everything is displayed.  Sometimes, if time is limited, and the report cannot be read straight through, the reader must be able to find the needed information in a few seconds.  That is why headings, labels, and the Table of Contents are so important.  The better the report, the more effective the action taken because of it.

Ch. 9 Review

In this chapter, general guidelines for presenting research in order to achieve your goal.
If you want to use facts and figures in order to present a logos centered argument, it is often useful to use primary research in your work.  Primary research is straight from the source; it has not been diluted by passing through other publications.  These sources are more valid than other sources and give your argument more power, making it more compelling.
To use these sources correctly and effectively, you must first plan out your argument.  The method you use to present your findings.  If you have done the primary research yourself, and correctly,  you have much more flexibility in this aspect.  My favorites type of research is a survey.  Getting a good sample of perspective customers can be difficult, but if found, can be extremely useful.  The questions need to be thought through carefully and presented in a specific order and manner, but if done right, powerful information can be obtained.  This can be used to further the goals of your organization.

Ch. 8 Review

This chapter was all about proposals.  There are many different types of proposals, such as: written, oral, research proposals, and problem-solving proposals.  My favorite was the problem-solving proposal.  This is one that makes a lot of sense to me.  Businesses make their way by finding problems of consumers and resolving them.  It follows that within a business or organization that the resolution of a problem would be handled well.
The basic pattern of problem solving are (a) diagnose the problem, (b) develop a solution (c) implement the solution.  This is where the PAR stories that we have been studies become very useful.  The more experience we have with resolving issues, the more accurate we will be when proposing how to resolve other problems.  These we need to use these rules of grammar, organization, and editing in order to effectively convince our readers to act.  If we can, we will affect more change and do more good.

Ch. 7 Review

I felt that this chapter was very appropriate, considering what the class period on Thursday is about.  I found many helpful tips withing this chapter that I will most definitely be using from now on in any interviews.  Previously, I went into interviews with little or no preparation.  I usually did not even research the company to which I was applying.  I remember one interview in particular.  It was over the internet.  I was asked three questions, to which I recorded three response videos.  I did not even do my hair or makeup!  I wore normal clothes and sat on the floor.  Unsurprisingly, I was not offered the position.
I appreciated the questions included in the chapter, and can now spend some time thinking of possible responses that will show off better my assets and skills that I can bring to a company.  I will never go to an interview unprepared ever again!

Ch. 6 Review

This chapter talked about different forms of communication within a business, such as memos, emails, and letters.  Not only were these means introduced, but specific advice was given in regards to using them.  For example, both direct and indirect approaches were introduced and taught.  I found it very helpful, especially considering the upcoming assignments.  It is important to note that with bad news letters, that the main point is placed at the end, and with good news letters, the main point is placed in the beginning.  I feel that this not only does this help convince the reader to do what you want them to, but it also helps them read the entire composition.  A happy reader will continue on, just as someone searching for the point of an argument.  Reading the entire letter will ensure that the reader has all the necessary and desired information.

Ch. 5 Review

Chapter Five taught us how to edit.  I often have trouble editing something.  With the exception of the scriptures, I do not enjoy reading something more than once, particularly my own work.  Studying is painful for me because I do not like to read the notes I have written.  However, I know that it is important, and this chapter has helped me.  I would usually begin by editing individual sentences, and become overwhelmed by the words and the enormity of the task that I had set myself.  I now know that it is best to begin with the big picture and work my way down to the smaller elements.  This is much more useful to me as I am more able to focus on the big picture and how everything ties in than I am able to focus on the minute details.  Now I simply need to get to work and edit!