July 19 Revision workshop and Introduction to Unsolicited

July 19 Revision workshop and Introduction to Unsolicited Recommendation

Today’s Agenda n Return and Discuss Resume n Revision Workshop Options (Resume or Interview Report) n Introduce Unsolicited Recommendation n Preliminary work on finding a topic n Chapter 5 on Persuasion

Notes on the Resume n Memos need to fulfill reader-centered principles (formatting, purpose of document/intro, what readers will find, explanation of principles, etc. ) n Memos need to mention specific reader-centered principles (density, hierarchy, etc. ) and the specific examples from your resumes that reflect them n Objectives either too specific (e. g. “Cedar Point) or too vague; don’t show what you offer, only what you want. n Grouping info in appropriate sections (proficiencies, skills, course experience, extra curricular experience, etc. ) n Parallel Structure - Verbs should have same endings n Relevant coursework and community service n Outcomes should be identified for work experience should be relevant.

Revision Workshop n Individual Conferences n Revising Resume: clear revision plan memo to Dr. P-C, understanding of the weaknesses of your resume and how you plan to correct them. Revisions due July 21 n Revising Interview Report: Individual Conferences based on July 14 recommendations by peers

Unsolicited Recommendation n Write a 400 -800 word letter in which you make an unsolicited recommendation for improving operation of some organization with which you have personal contact n Recommendation must concern a REAL situation n Recommendation must be unsolicited n Recommendation must concern the way the organization operates n Recommendation CANNOT involve a problem that can be solved in a political manner (nothing related to congress, judges, president, etc. ) n Do NOT address problems that are raised in political campaigns.

Reader-Centered Approach to Audience n Learn about the person or organization n Learn how they feel about the situation you’re trying to improve n Many will reject unsolicited advice, so keep that in mind

Possible Topics • • • A no-cost way that the student’s summer employer could more efficiently handle merchandise on the loading dock. A detailed strategy for increasing attendance at the meetings of a club the students belonged to A proposal that the Office of the Dean of Students establish a self-supporting legal-aid service for students

Audience Consideration Examples • A proposal that the Office of the Dean of Students establish a self-supporting legal-aid service for students about person/organization how they feel about issue how they might respond to unsolicited advice • • •

Audience Considerations for Topics • A no-cost way that the student’s summer employer could more efficiently handle merchandise on the loading dock • • • about person/org how they feel about issue how they might respond to unsolicited advice

Audience Considerations for Topics • A detailed strategy for increasing attendance at the meetings of a club the students belonged to • • • about person/org how they feel about issue how they might respond

Unsolicited Rec: Strategies n Compare the status quo with how you think things should be n The change that you propose has to be better than status quo n You have to persuade that change is better that status quo n You have to persuade that change is doable n You will need to understand why to person/org. does things the way it does currently n Write in business letter format

Proposal: Preliminary Brainstorming 1. Your recommendation. What is your recommendation? 2. The organization. Who/what is the organization. What aspect of the organizations operations your recommendation targets. 3. Audience. Who you will target your recommendation to. How you know this person is the appropriate person to approach (as decider or authority). 4. 5. Problem. The problem your recommendation addresses? How things are done now. Recommendation. How your recommendation addresses (helps solve) the problem. How things will be improved after your recommendation is implemented. 6. Background. Why things are done the way they are presently done. Whethere are good reasons why your recommendation isn’t already standard practice. 1. Feasibility. Why you think your recommendation is realistic and feasible.

Anderson Ch. 5 n Goals n To influence other people’s attitudes and actions n To explore ideas or possible courses of action

How Persuasion Works n Reverse an attitude you want readers to abandon n Reinforce an attitude you want readers to hold even more firmly n Shape readers’ attitudes on a subject about which they currently have no opinion n How do you want persuasion to work for Project 3?

Determine what Readers Value n Identify your organization’s goals n Determine how the ideas or actions that you recommend will help them achieve their goals n You letter should focus on the ways your recommendation will help the org meet its goals

Types of Goals n Organizational Goals: general (eg. to increase revenue) and specific (eg. to control 50% of its market) n Value-Based Goals: social, ethical, or aesthetic goals not directly related to profit or productivity (eg. increase diversity in hiring; recycle) n Achievement and Growth Goals: company incentive goals; need to identify deficiency and growth needs to meet success (eg. providing competitive benefit packages for employees)

Relationship between Reason and Persuasion n Evidence: Facts, observations, references, etc. that support your claim n Claim: What you want to persuade your audience n Line or Reasoning: The relationship between your claim and evidence; the reason your readers should agree that your evidence supports your claim.

Types of Evidence n Sufficient: provides all the details readers will want; provides background info on issue at hand n Reliable: provides the type of evidence readers are likely to accept; egs may include data, expert testimonies, examples, references/citations, statistics

Organizing Your Claims n Organize to create favorable response n Choose between direct and indirect org patterns n Create a tight fit among the parts of communication n Build an effective relationship with readers n Present yourself credibly and as a friend n Decide whether or not to appeal to emotions (pathos) n Be sensitive to cultural backgrounds n Be ethical

Additional Tips n Don’t mislead n Don’t manipulate n Acknowledge readers’ different points of view n Argue from human values

Page 143 Exercises n Complete n Share n Discuss

Next Time n Proposals for Unsolicited Recommendation n Download Proposal Form from Project 3 tab