CM 240 Unit 9: Final Project. Tonight’s Agenda Tonight I would like to painstakingly go through the final project requirements, which I know is not very

CM 240CM 240

Unit 9: Final ProjectUnit 9: Final Project

Tonight’s AgendaTonight’s Agenda

Tonight I would like to painstakingly go Tonight I would like to painstakingly go through the final project requirements, through the final project requirements, which I know is not very exciting, but it is which I know is not very exciting, but it is necessary since this is our last official necessary since this is our last official meeting before everything is due. If you’re meeting before everything is due. If you’re working on late assignments, I need them working on late assignments, I need them in by this coming Saturday at 5pm. As we in by this coming Saturday at 5pm. As we come to the end of things, I realize that come to the end of things, I realize that the stress of submitting assignments is at the stress of submitting assignments is at an all-time high, but I also need to make an all-time high, but I also need to make sure I have time to evaluate your sure I have time to evaluate your assignments before final grades are due.assignments before final grades are due.

Final ProjectFinal Project

The Final Project and Portfolio are due this Friday, at 11:59 The Final Project and Portfolio are due this Friday, at 11:59 p.m. ET. You might want to try and submit everything early p.m. ET. You might want to try and submit everything early in case you have technical difficulties. Please do not email in case you have technical difficulties. Please do not email me your project unless you cannot resolve any technical me your project unless you cannot resolve any technical difficulties (because my Inbox gets out of control quickly).difficulties (because my Inbox gets out of control quickly).

I’ll be around this week, so feel free to email me any I’ll be around this week, so feel free to email me any questions. After recent online-student experiences myself, I questions. After recent online-student experiences myself, I know how important it is to keep an open line of know how important it is to keep an open line of communication with students.communication with students.

So, I’ll be lecturing for the most part tonight, but feel free to So, I’ll be lecturing for the most part tonight, but feel free to stop me with questions or further comments.stop me with questions or further comments.


To begin with, you should know that I submit every To begin with, you should know that I submit every project to turnitin.com (in order to look for project to turnitin.com (in order to look for plagiarized text). Whether plagiarism is intentional plagiarized text). Whether plagiarism is intentional or not, the consequences are still the same; the or not, the consequences are still the same; the syllabus has details on Kaplan’s policy.syllabus has details on Kaplan’s policy.

Please review Kaplan's Writing Center documents on Please review Kaplan's Writing Center documents on APA format and plagiarism. If text is taken directly APA format and plagiarism. If text is taken directly from a source, it requires quotation marks. Quotes from a source, it requires quotation marks. Quotes that are longer than 40 words should appear as that are longer than 40 words should appear as block quotes. Paraphrased material is a complete block quotes. Paraphrased material is a complete rewording of information from a source (not just rewording of information from a source (not just changing a word or two). Whether it's a quote or changing a word or two). Whether it's a quote or paraphrase, an in-text citation is required.paraphrase, an in-text citation is required.

You need to cite You need to cite fivefive sources; they need to cited in sources; they need to cited in

correct APA formatcorrect APA format..


Let’s begin by talking about the proposal requirements for the final project, and Let’s begin by talking about the proposal requirements for the final project, and then we’ll move on to the portfolio requirements and submission process.then we’ll move on to the portfolio requirements and submission process.

The proposal, and all the parts to it, should appear in one document, saved The proposal, and all the parts to it, should appear in one document, saved as .doc, .docx, or .rtf. The whole project should be about as .doc, .docx, or .rtf. The whole project should be about 7 – 10 pages long7 – 10 pages long. You . You can include a title page if you want to, but that isn’t included in the page count.can include a title page if you want to, but that isn’t included in the page count.

The document should have one inch margins, 12 point font, with page numbers The document should have one inch margins, 12 point font, with page numbers and headers or footers with your name and title of the document.and headers or footers with your name and title of the document.

Again, all the writing should be your own, so it’s important to not rely on a Again, all the writing should be your own, so it’s important to not rely on a template that provides text or any information from sources that without an template that provides text or any information from sources that without an accurate citation.accurate citation.

Try to use good document formatting, where there is some whitespace but not so Try to use good document formatting, where there is some whitespace but not so much that it looks like there is information missing. Try to keep paragraphs short much that it looks like there is information missing. Try to keep paragraphs short and manageable. The Final Project is a culmination of what you've learned in this and manageable. The Final Project is a culmination of what you've learned in this class. This includes what we studied about design, revising/editing, and concise class. This includes what we studied about design, revising/editing, and concise and formal writing. The tone should not be casual, even if you are familiar with and formal writing. The tone should not be casual, even if you are familiar with the audience; this is to be considered a professional document.the audience; this is to be considered a professional document.

Letter of TransmitalLetter of Transmital The letter of transmittal is the first page of the proposal, The letter of transmittal is the first page of the proposal,

and should be addressed to the target audience for the and should be addressed to the target audience for the proposal (not me). If you’re writing to a group of folks, then proposal (not me). If you’re writing to a group of folks, then you can write it to the leader (or the group if there is no you can write it to the leader (or the group if there is no reader).reader).

The goal of the letter is to entice the reader to keep going; The goal of the letter is to entice the reader to keep going; it also gives the rest of the document a context, especially if it also gives the rest of the document a context, especially if the document is unexpected or unsolicited.the document is unexpected or unsolicited.

Information should be limited to three (short) paragraphs. Information should be limited to three (short) paragraphs. Tell the reader what is in the document, such as the Tell the reader what is in the document, such as the problem and solution. Note the main points that should problem and solution. Note the main points that should stick out in the mind of the reader before reading the stick out in the mind of the reader before reading the proposal. Finally, instruct the reader as to what should be proposal. Finally, instruct the reader as to what should be done with the document (e.g., make a decision and contact done with the document (e.g., make a decision and contact writer).writer).

Your signature block should include contact information Your signature block should include contact information (unless you note it in the last paragraph). (You can put fake (unless you note it in the last paragraph). (You can put fake contact info for this class’ purposes if you want.) And, the contact info for this class’ purposes if you want.) And, the entire letter should follow a formal business letter format entire letter should follow a formal business letter format (which is discussed in the textbook).(which is discussed in the textbook).

1 page long1 page long

Executive SummaryExecutive Summary

Last week we discussed the Executive Summary, Last week we discussed the Executive Summary, and you posted a draft version as your discussion and you posted a draft version as your discussion assignment. Be sure to revise this version, since assignment. Be sure to revise this version, since it should be a very polished version (especially if it should be a very polished version (especially if any feedback was provided by me or peers). It’s any feedback was provided by me or peers). It’s important to not simply copy/paste material from important to not simply copy/paste material from the letter, to the summary, to the proposal….the the letter, to the summary, to the proposal….the reader will notice that material is the same, and it reader will notice that material is the same, and it will look like you’re trying to take short-cuts.will look like you’re trying to take short-cuts.

1-2 pages1-2 pages

IntroductionIntroduction

The actual proposal should have several specific sections in The actual proposal should have several specific sections in order to accomplish its goal (and meet requirements). So, order to accomplish its goal (and meet requirements). So, none of the sections are optional. They all need to be none of the sections are optional. They all need to be included in your proposal.included in your proposal.

An introduction paragraph (or paragraphs) should be used An introduction paragraph (or paragraphs) should be used to set the stage for the document. You don’t need to get to set the stage for the document. You don’t need to get too specific, but if you have general statistics about the too specific, but if you have general statistics about the topic, then this might be an appropriate place for them. For topic, then this might be an appropriate place for them. For example, if your proposal is advocating the distribution of example, if your proposal is advocating the distribution of back braces at work, then the introduction can note how back braces at work, then the introduction can note how many people a year injure their backs at work. The many people a year injure their backs at work. The objective of the introduction is to ease the reader into the objective of the introduction is to ease the reader into the topic without hitting them with everything at once.topic without hitting them with everything at once.

Needs StatementNeeds Statement

Next is the Need Statement, which Next is the Need Statement, which should detail the specific problem should detail the specific problem you’ve identified and why it’s you’ve identified and why it’s significant enough to require the significant enough to require the attention of the reader. This may attention of the reader. This may only be a paragraph or so in length. only be a paragraph or so in length. The solution should not be explained The solution should not be explained in this section.in this section.

Project DescriptionProject Description

The Project Description will The Project Description will detail your proposed solution to detail your proposed solution to the problem explained in the the problem explained in the previous section. Try not to previous section. Try not to make it multiple choice with make it multiple choice with several options for the reader to several options for the reader to choose from; it should be a clear choose from; it should be a clear and focused solution. Details and focused solution. Details every step to make the solution every step to make the solution happen since this might be the happen since this might be the actual document they follow if actual document they follow if the solution is accepted.the solution is accepted.

BudgetBudget

The Budget section is probably The Budget section is probably the most well-read section of the most well-read section of any proposal. How much is this any proposal. How much is this going to cost in money and going to cost in money and personnel (or other resources)? personnel (or other resources)? Tables often work well in this Tables often work well in this section when you’re listing section when you’re listing specific costs. If you have specific costs. If you have suggestions for funding, you can suggestions for funding, you can note them here also; try to be note them here also; try to be specific as to how much money specific as to how much money and/or resources are needed and/or resources are needed and your suggestions for and your suggestions for covering these costs.covering these costs.

BenefitsBenefits

The Benefits section is where you’ll The Benefits section is where you’ll want to win over the reader…tell want to win over the reader…tell him/her why this is the best option. You him/her why this is the best option. You can include comparison charts if you can include comparison charts if you think it’ll help persuade the reader to think it’ll help persuade the reader to see things from your point of view. For see things from your point of view. For example, if you’re proposing that your example, if you’re proposing that your place of business change all the light place of business change all the light bulbs to energy-efficient bulbs, you can bulbs to energy-efficient bulbs, you can do a cost comparison chart as to how do a cost comparison chart as to how much money and energy will be saved, much money and energy will be saved, along with the benefits to the along with the benefits to the environment.environment.

Any other ideas of what can be included Any other ideas of what can be included in the Benefits section?in the Benefits section?

Organizational Organizational Information/BiographiesInformation/Biographies

Next, you need to write Organizational Next, you need to write Organizational information/Biographies for those who will be involved information/Biographies for those who will be involved in this project. For example, if you’re proposing to in this project. For example, if you’re proposing to build a new playground in your area, you’ll want to build a new playground in your area, you’ll want to write a profile of the construction company you’ve write a profile of the construction company you’ve targeted to do the building or landscaping for the targeted to do the building or landscaping for the project. If the target reader is the person to also make project. If the target reader is the person to also make the solution happen, then his/her profile should be the solution happen, then his/her profile should be limited (since they already know about themselves). limited (since they already know about themselves). Consider any outside companies or volunteers that Consider any outside companies or volunteers that might work on the solution.might work on the solution.

If you are the primary person doing the project, then If you are the primary person doing the project, then note what makes you qualified. Don’t sell yourself note what makes you qualified. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve put in a lot of time researching this short. You’ve put in a lot of time researching this proposal, so you’re probably qualified to implement proposal, so you’re probably qualified to implement the project.the project.

ConclusionConclusion

The conclusion should reinforce your main The conclusion should reinforce your main points (i.e., problem, solution, benefits), points (i.e., problem, solution, benefits), without carrying on too much. Keep to without carrying on too much. Keep to about 10 sentencesabout 10 sentences. Note the most . Note the most important things you want the reader to important things you want the reader to remember, while ending on a positive note.remember, while ending on a positive note.

Any questions so far? I know that’s a lot to Any questions so far? I know that’s a lot to handle all at once.handle all at once.

VisualsVisuals

You will need You will need three visualsthree visuals, and not clipart (which , and not clipart (which are just pictures that really don't add value to the are just pictures that really don't add value to the document). A visual can include a table, chart, document). A visual can include a table, chart, relevant photo, map, diagram, or print-screen. relevant photo, map, diagram, or print-screen. Don't just plop the visual into the document -- be Don't just plop the visual into the document -- be sure to explain its significance and give it a label. sure to explain its significance and give it a label. Try to keep the visual close to the text discussing Try to keep the visual close to the text discussing the visual; large visuals can be included in an the visual; large visuals can be included in an appendix section if it totally throws off your design appendix section if it totally throws off your design to put it in with text of the document. to put it in with text of the document.

That’s it for the final project requirements!That’s it for the final project requirements!

PortfolioPortfolio

The portfolio is revised projects that led up to the final project: Unit 2, Unit 3, The portfolio is revised projects that led up to the final project: Unit 2, Unit 3, and Unit 7. Unit 4’s project is included in your final project (the Annotated and Unit 7. Unit 4’s project is included in your final project (the Annotated Bibliography).Bibliography).

The projects don’t need to be completely revised (unless you were totally off The projects don’t need to be completely revised (unless you were totally off track), but I should be able to see an improvement as compared to the track), but I should be able to see an improvement as compared to the original (such as taking my suggestions into consideration); also any changes original (such as taking my suggestions into consideration); also any changes that you made in your final project’s scope can be reflected in your portfolio that you made in your final project’s scope can be reflected in your portfolio documents.documents.

You will load each document, one at a time, in Doc Sharing, under your name. You will load each document, one at a time, in Doc Sharing, under your name.

If you look at View under Doc Sharing, you'll see your name. Follow the If you look at View under Doc Sharing, you'll see your name. Follow the instructions in Unit 9 exactly for doing this. Basically, click on Doc Sharing, instructions in Unit 9 exactly for doing this. Basically, click on Doc Sharing, then click the dropdown arrow, select your name from the list, and click Go. then click the dropdown arrow, select your name from the list, and click Go. Click Upload New File for each of the three revised documents. Be sure to Click Upload New File for each of the three revised documents. Be sure to click the share with entire class option, since in Unit 10 you’ll have a chance click the share with entire class option, since in Unit 10 you’ll have a chance to review each other’s portfolios.to review each other’s portfolios.

Please do not put the portfolio documents into the dropbox since your peers Please do not put the portfolio documents into the dropbox since your peers won’t be able to see them, and I won’t be looking there when grading the won’t be able to see them, and I won’t be looking there when grading the portfolio.portfolio.

Any ideas why it's important to have a portfolio?Any ideas why it's important to have a portfolio?

PortfolioPortfolio

Portfolios are important, especially in job interviews. Many Portfolios are important, especially in job interviews. Many positions require portfolios or writing samples -- and now you'll positions require portfolios or writing samples -- and now you'll have a complete portfolio to present.have a complete portfolio to present.

They’re also good ways for you to track personal success and They’re also good ways for you to track personal success and advancements in your writing. I know when I look back to what I advancements in your writing. I know when I look back to what I wrote 10 years ago as compared to what I write now, I can see my wrote 10 years ago as compared to what I write now, I can see my strengths and weaknesses.strengths and weaknesses.

It’s best to put one together now, rather than scramble to put It’s best to put one together now, rather than scramble to put

documents together when you need one in the future. documents together when you need one in the future.

Any questions on portfolios?Any questions on portfolios?

Any general questions about the projects?Any general questions about the projects?

Revising/EditingRevising/Editing

I’d like to spend the last bit of class I’d like to spend the last bit of class discussing the discussing the revising/editing/proofreading revising/editing/proofreading process.process.

To begin with, can you explain the To begin with, can you explain the difference between REVISING and difference between REVISING and EDITING and PROOFREADING?EDITING and PROOFREADING?


Essentially, you may think they're the same Essentially, you may think they're the same processes, but their focus is really very different. processes, but their focus is really very different. Revising refers to the process of reading a document Revising refers to the process of reading a document in order to make massive changes to the content, in order to make massive changes to the content, organization, argument, and design throughout the organization, argument, and design throughout the document. You want to assess of the document is document. You want to assess of the document is effective overall and meets the goals you set out to effective overall and meets the goals you set out to accomplish.accomplish.

Editing is a more detailed orientated process of Editing is a more detailed orientated process of looking for issues in the document, such as grammar, looking for issues in the document, such as grammar, sentence structure, logic, research, etc.sentence structure, logic, research, etc.

Proofreading focuses on the little details, such as Proofreading focuses on the little details, such as typos and citation format.typos and citation format.

The revision process should be done first because The revision process should be done first because there's no use editing a sentence that you're just there's no use editing a sentence that you're just going to remove during the revision stage.going to remove during the revision stage.


Do you have any good revision or editing strategies?Do you have any good revision or editing strategies?

I would suggest putting some distance between you and your I would suggest putting some distance between you and your project. This doesn't mean trying to read it from across the room :) project. This doesn't mean trying to read it from across the room :) Instead, it means that you should review it a few days after you Instead, it means that you should review it a few days after you finished writing it. You'll be surprised with what you wrote when you finished writing it. You'll be surprised with what you wrote when you review it with fresh-eyes.review it with fresh-eyes.

When I worked in a writing center, students would have to read their When I worked in a writing center, students would have to read their papers aloud. Although many were shy or embarrassed, it quickly papers aloud. Although many were shy or embarrassed, it quickly became apparent that this method was helpful. They were using two became apparent that this method was helpful. They were using two senses (sight and hearing) to assess their papers, and found it senses (sight and hearing) to assess their papers, and found it easier to catch mistakes...sometimes before I had to point them out.easier to catch mistakes...sometimes before I had to point them out.

I also like to idea of creating a sort of checklist of things to look for, I also like to idea of creating a sort of checklist of things to look for, especially if you're familiar with your writing weaknesses. (My especially if you're familiar with your writing weaknesses. (My weakness is writing in passive tense. I don't even realize I'm doing weakness is writing in passive tense. I don't even realize I'm doing it, so it's important for me to look for that issue when I edit the it, so it's important for me to look for that issue when I edit the document.)document.)

Revising/Editing: Spell-Check Revising/Editing: Spell-Check and Grammar Checkand Grammar Check

They can't identify "awkward" sounding sentences -- the ones you trip over when reading They can't identify "awkward" sounding sentences -- the ones you trip over when reading aloud. There may be nothing grammatically wrong with the sentence, but it just doesn't aloud. There may be nothing grammatically wrong with the sentence, but it just doesn't sound right.sound right.

It obviously can't review the content to be sure it's clearly organized, usable, or not It obviously can't review the content to be sure it's clearly organized, usable, or not offensive/informal, among other things.offensive/informal, among other things.

Often it can't recognize when incorrect words are used, and not just homonyms (such as Often it can't recognize when incorrect words are used, and not just homonyms (such as weather versus whether). If you've seen the movie The Princess Bride, there is a character weather versus whether). If you've seen the movie The Princess Bride, there is a character that continually used the word "inconceivable" throughout the movie. It was never really that continually used the word "inconceivable" throughout the movie. It was never really used correctly, but he made it sound like it was correct. Grammar-check wouldn't have used correctly, but he made it sound like it was correct. Grammar-check wouldn't have helped him choose the right word :)helped him choose the right word :)

It also doesn't generally recognize slang, clichés, sexist language, or colloquialism (though It also doesn't generally recognize slang, clichés, sexist language, or colloquialism (though you can set Word to find them...there are many that the checkers don't catch).you can set Word to find them...there are many that the checkers don't catch).

Granted, spell-check and grammar-check aren't all bad. My spelling is really pretty bad, so Granted, spell-check and grammar-check aren't all bad. My spelling is really pretty bad, so it's a great time saver for me. It can sometimes help me identify my passive writing so that I it's a great time saver for me. It can sometimes help me identify my passive writing so that I can revise it.can revise it.

It's important to remember to actually run spell/grammar check when you're done writing. It's important to remember to actually run spell/grammar check when you're done writing. My graduate thesis was over 130 pages long when I sent it to a friend to review. I was so My graduate thesis was over 130 pages long when I sent it to a friend to review. I was so embarrassed when she sent it back with corrected spelling that should have been caught by embarrassed when she sent it back with corrected spelling that should have been caught by spell-check, if I would have remembered to run it (and not assumed that I corrected things as spell-check, if I would have remembered to run it (and not assumed that I corrected things as I typed).I typed).


What about having someone else review your document? What about having someone else review your document? Why is that important?Why is that important?

You can have an "expert" review it in order to make sure You can have an "expert" review it in order to make sure you have all your facts (or steps) straight. An expert in the you have all your facts (or steps) straight. An expert in the field can make sure that you didn't take any incorrect leaps field can make sure that you didn't take any incorrect leaps in logic, or possibly write anything inappropriate or in logic, or possibly write anything inappropriate or inaccurate. But, just because it makes sense to an expert, inaccurate. But, just because it makes sense to an expert, doesn't mean that you're good to go.doesn't mean that you're good to go.

You also need "testers" review it in order to makes sure You also need "testers" review it in order to makes sure that it's clear to someone who has to use the information, that it's clear to someone who has to use the information, and may or may not be familiar with the facts or steps. and may or may not be familiar with the facts or steps. Testers can gauge how easy the document is to Testers can gauge how easy the document is to comprehend and really use in "real life."comprehend and really use in "real life."


When reading a PUBLISHED document, what are the sorts of things When reading a PUBLISHED document, what are the sorts of things that trip you up? that trip you up?

In published documents, grammar always trips me up. I feel that if it In published documents, grammar always trips me up. I feel that if it gets published, it should have been reviewed by enough people that gets published, it should have been reviewed by enough people that all the grammar issues should have been addressed. I have a problem all the grammar issues should have been addressed. I have a problem continuing to read a published document with grammatical errors.continuing to read a published document with grammatical errors.

When asked to EDIT a document, what things do you specifically look When asked to EDIT a document, what things do you specifically look for? for?

In a draft document that someone asks me to review, I tend to focus In a draft document that someone asks me to review, I tend to focus on format consistency. I think this is something that the writer may on format consistency. I think this is something that the writer may not put a lot of thought into initially, so I feel it's my responsibility to not put a lot of thought into initially, so I feel it's my responsibility to look for it. I will also mark up obvious grammar and content issues as look for it. I will also mark up obvious grammar and content issues as I find them (it's best not to ignore them).I find them (it's best not to ignore them).


What do you look for in your OWN writing?What do you look for in your OWN writing?

I believe that every writer (and teacher) has specific writing I believe that every writer (and teacher) has specific writing pet-peeves. I have to admit that mine is informal writing in pet-peeves. I have to admit that mine is informal writing in a business environment. I cannot help but trip over slang, a business environment. I cannot help but trip over slang, clichés, first/second person pronouns, and sexist language. clichés, first/second person pronouns, and sexist language. I've posted a document in the classroom to review formal I've posted a document in the classroom to review formal writing standards.writing standards.

I won't review them here, but I will say that when editing I won't review them here, but I will say that when editing your document, be on the look out for informal writing. You your document, be on the look out for informal writing. You cannot write as you speak (even if you're mimicking a cannot write as you speak (even if you're mimicking a formal speech/presentation). I'll stop ranting (for now) on formal speech/presentation). I'll stop ranting (for now) on this topic :)this topic :)

Good luck!Good luck!

Thanks for coming to seminar! I'm very Thanks for coming to seminar! I'm very glad so many of you came tonight! glad so many of you came tonight!

Good luck on your final projects and Good luck on your final projects and portfolios.portfolios.

Documents

CM 240 Unit 9: Final Project. Tonight’s Agenda Tonight I would like to painstakingly go through the final project requirements, which I know is not very