Instruction
Written Communication
Summer 2018
Graded Writing 2 – Short Memo Report
Please choose ONE (1) of the following three options for your memo report. Whichever option you choose, I have specified the criteria you are required to compare, and offered examples of optional criteria you can add. Make sure to cover at least 2 of the optional criteria (or come up with other criteria of your own in addition to the required).
Option #1
You work for Patriot Machinery, Inc., and your company wants to purchase 5-10 new computers, and spend no more than $7500 on all of them. The computers will be used for typical office work such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, internet use, email, etc., but will also be used by employees for business travel. Write a memo report to David McGagh, the head of purchasing, comparing at least 3 computer options and recommending which option to purchase.
Required Criteria: Cost, Portability, Productivity Software
Optional Criteria: (cover at least 2): Security, Dependability, RAM, Processor, etc.
Option #2
Your company, MCA, has four (4) visitors coming to Madison for an important business dinner on the 23rd of July. They will be staying at down on the Capitol Square in Madison. In addition to your guests, there will be four (4) people from your company. This includes you and your new boss Chris McIntosh – the newly hired Vice President of Sales – who has requested this report on restaurant options. You’re looking to both be productive and impress, so I would not recommend Taco Bell or BW3s, but also don’t want to spend more than $25 - $40 per person. It would also be strongly preferred to stay in a 15-20 minute travel radius from their hotel. Write a memo report to your new boss detailing at least three options and your recommendation for where to take the guests to dinner.
Required Criteria: Cost, Impression (Suitable environment for Business meeting, service, ambiance, menu, etc.), Location
Optional Criteria: (cover at least 2): Appropriate and varied menu offerings, portion sizes, drink menu, space, reservations recommended/available, specific dietary concerns, etc.
Option #3
Madison College is planning to purchase a car to be used by staff members for travel to and from school-related functions. Typically, it would be used to travel to such destinations as Watertown, Fort Atkinson, and Portage, but no trips longer than about 150 miles, round-trip. The school is looking to spend no more than $20,000 on the purchase, and would like to save as much money as possible. A new or used car is a possibility. Write a memo report to Liz Henson, the Campus Administrator, comparing three cars they might consider, and which you think would be the best purchase.
Required Criteria: Cost, MPG, Safety, Reliability
Optional Criteria: (cover at least 2): Bells and Whistles, Passenger Space, Cargo Room, Mileage (if used), etc.
CITING SOURCES: Whichever option you select, you will be documenting your sources using journalistic style by mentioning the source when the information/quote is used. This is discussed in more detail in Assignment 2.10, but make sure you know where you found your sources and information so you are able to cite effectively. In general, it is always a good idea to know the author, the title of a source, the title of the publication or website where you found the source, and the date it was published or updated.
REQUIRED VISUAL: Whichever option you select, integrate at least one purposeful and effective visual into your report. This is discussed in more detail in Assignment 2.9.