Assignment 1:

Organizational Strategies

As Chapter 10 of our text tells us, partition and classification are two ways of dividing a subject. Classification divides and groups subjects that have some similarities into categories; partition divides one subject into parts. Subjects can be classified and partitioned in many different ways, depending upon the characteristic(s) the writer thinks is important.

Assume that you are shopping for a laptop computer. Shop an Internet site and classify the laptops you find there into three or four categories. Then select one category and find three laptops that fit that category. Partition each of these laptops using three or four different features that are important to you (For example, you could use size of laptop, number of features, etc.). In your paper, list the categories of laptops you created and the features of the laptops you partitioned. Include one paragraph in which you discuss what you learned from this exercise. Be sure to cite the source of your information and to include a properly formatted title page on your assignment.

Assignment 2:

A. Instruction: Effective Use of an Online Library Database

Using the information you have learned from Chapter 20 of the text, write an instruction for feeding an infant. If you have some personal experience in this area, you may use this experience as a source of information. However, you should also conduct some research to obtain some expert opinions and to be certain your information is accurate. Your assignment must have at least two outside sources, properly cited on a reference page formatted in APA style.

Before you begin your instruction, determine how the instruction will be used (its purpose) and who your audience will be. Develop an audience and use profile to guide your writing. (Review Chapter 3 of the text.) Then, based on information you learned last week in Chapter 10, prepare a formal outline with at least three levels of detail, using appropriate alphanumeric notation.

After you have constructed your outline, prepare an instruction brochure. (A foldout format is not required.)

B. Planning Proposal Outline

Submit a formal outline for your research proposal that is due in Week Five. Your outline must include a descriptive title of the topic you will be researching. It must also include sufficient information to develop a two-page to three-page written proposal, must be prepared using appropriate alphanumeric notation, and must be developed to at least two levels of detail. Attach a title page to your assignment, formatted in proper APA style.

Assignment 3:

Process/Mechanism Description

For this assignment, select a simple process you routinely perform or a common household or office object as the topic for your process/mechanism description. Some examples of common processes are brushing your teeth, combing or brushing your hair, tying your shoes, eating breakfast, etc. Some common household or office objects for a mechanism description are flashlights, nail clippers, retractable ballpoint pens, scissors, staplers, or any other simple mechanisms.

Before writing your process or mechanism description, complete an audience and use profile (p. 35 of the text.)

Write a one-page, single-spaced, objective description of the process or mechanism you have selected. Incorporate the elements of a usable description and a logical descriptive sequence, as shown in Chapter 19 of the text. NOTE: You do not have to include a visual in your assignment; however, you may do so if you wish. If you include a visual, be sure it meets the requirements for an effective visual you studied in Chapter 12. Make sure your process/mechanism description includes a brief introduction, body, and conclusion.

Submit your process/mechanism description with a properly prepared APA title page and a reference page (if required).

Assignment 4:

Planning Proposal for Improving Ashford Student Services

In this class, you will be asked to prepare a final written document in which you apply the knowledge you have gained in this course. The document you prepare will be a proposal addressed to Ashford University that recommends ways the university can improve its services to students. NOTE: This proposal is assigned for educational purposes only. It will not be shared with university administration or anyone else outside this class, without your written permission.

This paper should be an objective evaluation of a situation or a problem you or someone you know has experienced here at the university or a suggestion for a change to a university process or a procedure that could improve a service the university provides to its students. You will be required to do some research to complete this paper. You should also incorporate the persuasive techniques you studied in this course.

An outline of this proposal is due in Week Three, and the proposal itself is due in Week Five. Your proposal must be properly formatted in APA style and must be 4 to 5 pages in length (2 to 3 pages of text plus a title page and a reference page).

Following are the specific requirements for this assignment:

This assignment should be a planning proposal, as defined in our text. The purpose of the proposal is to provide a solution to a problem or suggestions for improvement of a situation.

Assume that the audience for this proposal will be Ashford University administration.

Your proposal should fulfill the basic persuasive tasks outlined in Chapter 21 of the text.

Your proposal should employ the persuasive techniques discussed in Chapter 4 of the text.

Your proposal should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion that are appropriately labeled with these headings.

Your proposal should have a properly formatted APA title page. (You do not need a Table of Contents.)

Your proposal should have a properly formatted APA reference page with at least two reputable sources that support the problem or your suggestion/recommendation.