Instruction
CB in Action Assignment
Examples of interesting consumer behaviors and marketing practices based on consumer behavior research are all around us. This assignment is designed for you to:
1) identifyandanalyzeaspecificexampleofConsumerBehaviorinActionthatinterestsyou,
2) identifyandanalyzesixormoremulti-mediaresourcesonyourtopic,
3) connectyourCBinActionexampletofourormorespecificCBcourseconceptsfromyour
textbook and/or Learning Guides,
4) synthesizeyouranalysisandresourcesina“CBinActionSlideDeck,”and
5) writeasubjectlineandbriefintroductionthatcouldenticeyouraudiencetowanttoknow
more about your topic and engage with your slides.
Below are more details about each of these assignment components.
I have also posted a sample assignment – with some commentary – to Blackboard in the Assignments folder. Be sure to carefully read all of the instructions, the sample, and the comments within the sample.
After you read the instructions, assignment sample, and notes, please let me know if you have any questions. I am also happy to do one-on-one phone calls or Zoom sessions to help you as you develop your work on this assignment. Sometimes students find it helpful to get feedback on their topic and/or slides-in-progress. Please schedule these meetings soon and do not wait until only one or days before the assignment is due.
For this assignment, you may work individually or in a small team (maximum three students). If you work in a team, be certain to manage your group dynamics so that everyone contributes meaningfully; does their fair share; and helps to plan, develop, polish, and strengthen all of the slides.
Enjoy the assignment!
1) Identify and Analyze a Specific Example(s) of “CB in Action”
To get started on your CB in Action Assignment, identify one or more examples of consumer behaviors and/or consumer-driven marketing practices that you find interesting and that illustrate specific course concepts from our course.
Your inspiration for identifying examples could come from many sources. Use your daily life and the world around you as a source of stimuli for possible examples. For instance, perhaps one or more of the following stimuli from your daily life might spark your interest in CB in Action examples that you wish to explore through this assignment:
● questions you are curious about,
● readings and resources from our MKTG 3320 class,
● books or articles you have read,
● news headlines or stories,
● expert videos, documentaries, or podcasts,
● popular media sources such as movies, TV shows, songs, or cartoons,
● situations at your workplace and/or discussions with bosses or coworkers,
● situations related to your hobbies, interests, or leisure activities,
● shopping experiences or your observation of another person’s shopping behaviors, and/or
● marketing practices you observe, read about, experience, plan, or implement.
This list of possible stimuli is not exhaustive, but is meant to help get your brain juices flowing about how you can discover examples of CB in Action from many sources in your daily life and the world around you.
In addition, read (or skim) the Appendix to these instructions, which provides some sample scenarios of using your daily life as inspiration for identifying CB in Action examples.
2) Identify and Analyze Six or More Multi-Media Resources on Your Topic
For the CB in Action topic that you select to analyze for this assignment, identify and review multiple (at least six) credible outside sources to help you explore and learn about your topic.
Some possible sources could include:
research studies or reports,
news articles,
industry publications or reports,
podcasts, videos, documentaries, slide decks, or blog or vlog posts by recognized experts,
podcasts, videos, or blog or vlog posts by consumers with interest and/or expertise on the topic,
entertainment sources such as TV clips, movie clips, YouTube videos, song lyrics, or cartoons, and/or
other types of resources you identify.
Keep track of the most interesting and helpful resources that you review. In preparing your slide deck (see Step 4), integrate at least six or more of these sources into your slides from at least three TYPES of resources from the list above. Entertainment sources can only comprise ONE of the three types of resources.
3) Connect Your “CB in Action” Example to Four or More CB Course Concepts
Connect your “CB in Action” topic to four or more CB course concepts that cut across at least three units from our class. State clearly how your CB in Action example relates to the concepts and units. For each CB course concept connection you make, use course terminology and include a specific chapter number and page number OR a reference to a particular part of a Learning Guide.
4) Synthesize Your Analysis and Resources into a “CB in Action Slide Deck”
Synthesize and “bring to life” your analysis and resources in a “CB in Action Slide Deck.” Key requirements for your slide deck include the following.
Opening Slides
Cover slide that includes a title specific to your topic and your name(s)
Secondary cover slide for Dr. Gravois that indicates your intended audience for your
slides (specify the audience(s) for whom you are writing who would be interested in
your content)
Subject line and brief introduction (maximum 150 words for the introduction) that could
be used to entice readers to want to know more about your topic and, if your slide deck was posted in a public space, would entice readers to click on and engage with your content (See Step 5)
Body of Slide Deck
Repeat the cover slide that includes a title specific to your topic and your name(s)
One or more slides to get attention and pull your specified audience into your topic
Two or more slides that give background information to help readers understand your
topic at a general level
Four or more CB course concept connections
o In this section, analyze your topic through the lens of Consumer Behavior. Explain each CB course concept connection clearly to your readers. For each course concept connection, use course terminology and include a specific chapter number and page number OR a reference to a particular part of a Learning Guide.
Throughout your slides, remember to integrate six or more credible outside resources, of at least three different types, to support your ideas and analysis. Again, integrate at least six or more credible outside sources into your slides from at least three TYPES of resources listed above in Section 2.
Closing Slides
Recap of your key points
Reference List with full citations and links (remember to also include in-text citations)
Image credits for all images you incorporate
5) Write a Subject Line and Brief Introduction to Gain Interest from Others
After you have completed your slides, write a subject line and brief introduction that could entice your readers to want to know more about your topic and, if your slide deck was posted in a public space, would entice readers to click on and engage with your content. For this part of the assignment, assume that you are sharing your CB in Action slides with a specific audience (state your intended audience on Slide 2 of your deck).
Students will not post their slides publicly. The reason for identifying an audience is to practice writing your slides with particular readers in mind.
Whatever audience you would like to imagine, write the subject line and introduction as if you are sharing your slides with that specific audience and you want to spark their interest in learning more about your CB in Action example(s).
Type the subject line and brief introduction on Slide 3 of your deck.
Here are guidelines for your subject line and introduction.
Get attention!
Convey that your CB in Action topic and examples are interesting.
Use vivid language.
Be clear and concise. Be sure that your subject line and introduction are clear and quick
and easy to understand. Be brief.
The introduction is limited to 150 words.
Grading Criteria for the CB in Action Assignment include:
Complete assignment that follows all instructions.
Compelling analysis of your topic and clear demonstration of critical thinking.
Integration of six or more outside sources, from three or more types of sources.
Clear connection to four or more CB course concepts, with chapter and page numbers.
Clear and effective writing, with no (or minimal, only 1-2) errors throughout the
assignment. Use practices of effective writing, including clarity, organization, style, and mechanics. For example:
o Are you slides clear? interesting? compelling? well-written?
o How effective is the writing in terms of content, analysis, organization, style, and
mechanics?
o Is the assignment of high quality and professional?
o Is the assignment free of writing mechanics errors?
o Is it clear that the student took time to revise and polish the assignment? o Is the assignment complete and does it follow the instructions?
o A few reminders on mechanics. The word “I” should be capitalized. Proofread carefully to avoid errors that some people make such as there/their/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, then/than, and our/are. Proofread also to avoid errors in plural vs. possessive, subject/verb agreement, and subject/pronoun agreement. Aim for zero mechanical errors so that your document is easy to read.
Have fun with this assignment, connecting your “CB in Action” example
to the units in our course, and tailoring the assignment based on your interests.