WRTG 393 students,

The next assignment is the annotated bibliography.

For this writing assignment, we begin organizing possible sources for the Analytical Report. You will want to read the instructions for the final analytical report so that you have an idea of what types of topics to consider for the annotated bibliography.

You have completed various exercises in using OneSearch, a gateway through which you can find quality articles in the databases to which UMUC subscribes.

For this assignment, you will write an annotated bibliography of four sources. All four sources should be acquired through OneSearch. They should come from scholarly journals or trade journals.

Annotated bibliographies are written for various classes for different reasons. One reason for writing an annotated bibliography is to help you organize research you have begun for a paper.

You will prepare to write the annotated bibliography by completing the following steps:

Consider a topic for your final report. Please refer to the instructions for the final report for more information on topics to consider.
Peruse through different sources that could inform the paper on that topic. You will want to consider many sources as you navigate the OneSearch interface.
Select four of the sources you have found.

You will then write the annotated bibliography as follows:

cite each article in APA format
summarize each article in 100-150 words.

write a one- or two-sentence evaluation at the end of the annotation explaining why this source might be helpful to you for your analytical report.

list each reference (followed by its annotation) in alphabetical order.

Keep in mind that, when you eventually write your analytical report, you don't have to use every source you annotate for your annotated bibliography in that report. You might find that, as you find more sources and consider your topic more thoroughly, you don't use several of the sources you annotated. This outcome is not a problem. The purpose of writing the annotated bibliography is to help get you started on locating sources and allow you to begin analyzing and summarizing them.

Strategies to Consider for this Assignment:

UMUC's Information and Library Services unit provides a tutorial on how to write an annotation of a source. Click here to access the tutorial.

• The transcript of the tutorial can be accessed by clicking here.
• The following are some links to sample Annotated Bibliographies. Some of them give examples in APA format. You may want to observe these examples and perhaps model your work after them.
• A variety of samples from The University of North Carolina Writing Center, including these specific examples of APA-style annotations.
• Some instruction from Cornell University. The website also provides more information on the process of writing an annotated bibliography.
• Some samples from Memorial University in Newfoundland.
• Some instruction from East Carolina University.

Length:

The annotation for each article should be 100-150 words.

Assignment 2___________________________________

WRTG 393 students,

This next assignment is is designed to help you get started on organizing the analytical report. It will be an outline of the report.

In this assignment, we continue with steps in planning for an organizing the analytical report. You will want to read the instructions for the analytical report so that you have an idea of what types of topics to consider as you construct your outline for the report.

You will write an outline, along with some other brief explanations, for the plan for your analytical report.

For your outline, you will submit the following items:

statement of the problem -- This section should be one or two sentences stating the problem you are addressing.

purpose and scope of the work -- This section should be one paragraph explaining why you have conducted your analysis. You will state why you think the problem you are addressing needs to be addressed. decision-maker or group of decision-makers-- This section will identify the individual or individuals to whom you are directing the report. sources and methods of data collection -- This section should be one paragraph explaining how you went about gathering data. You might mention interviews you conducted, searches you conducted in OneSearch, or other methods of information gathering you used. preliminary outline -- This section should use Roman numerals to outline, even roughly, the plan for the report.

You might have, for example, the following:

I.
A.
B.
C.
II.
A.
B,
C.
III.
A.
B.

C..

Overall, you should not need more than three or four Roman numerals. Again, this can even be a fairly rough outline. Do not feel you have to stick with the outline you have developed when you write your actual report.

Length:

The outline has no word count minimum or maximum. It should be one to two pages long.

Assignment 3 (Final Assignment)_______________________

WRTG 393 students,

Your next assignment is to write an analytical report that addresses a problem or issue within an organization. For this assignment, you will write a report of 2000-3000 words on a problem or issue within your workplace or community.

You will identify a problem or issue within your organization. This may be a current place of employment or a community group, such as a church, school, homeowner's association, daycare, recreation center, soccer team, or other group.

You will then accomplish the following in the report:

define the problem persuasively and accurately
propose a solution or solutions to the problem or issue
present that solution to a decision-maker or group of decision-makers who can implement the recommendation.

The report will include the following components:

title page
transmittal letter or memo
executive summary
table of contents
body of report, with headings and subheadings
References page, with references listed in APA format

Your report must also include the following:

At least one graphic in the text.
A minimum of five sources cited within the report.
At least one source must be a scholarly source.
APA style should be used in citing and listing the sources.

The complete report should be 2000-3000 words, not including the list of references. The purpose of establishing a word count is to ensure the topic chosen is neither too big nor too small. Also, writing within parameters is a common requirement in professional communications.

The complete report, as stated above, should cite at least five sources. At least one of them should come from a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal. Your sources can also include interviews. The sources will be integrated into the paper to explain the problem, provide evidence of the problem, and support the solution. If you are having trouble locating scholarly sources for your topic, you can let me know during the weeks leading up to the due date for the report. I can try to help you or work with you on integrating sources.

An Excellent Resource on Analytical Reports:

The Academic Language Learning and Success Program at Charles Darwin University has an excellent guide to writing analytical reports. Click here to access it.

Other Helpful Guides on Report Writing:

-Victoria University of Wellington has a thorough outline and review of the components of this type of business report. Click here to access it.

-Queen Margaret University has an excellent guide for this type of report. Click here to access it.

-Murdoch University has an outstanding guide on writing this type of report. Click here to access it.

-Colorado State University presents excellent tips in organizing the report. Click here to access its site.

-Monash University has a sample case study report that you might find helpful. Click here to access it.

Examples of Analytical Reports:

-For an example of an analytical report on a problem at a college campus, click here.

-For an example of on analytical report a transportation problem, click here.

-For an example of analytical report on a topic related to economics, click here.

-For an example of an analytical report on a technical topic, click here.

Topics to Help You Come Up with Ideas on this Assignment:

Some possible workplace research topics are the following. These are just examples to help you get started. Please do not feel that you have to select one of these topics.

The following topics are specific to UMUC:

• the effects of the move from WebTycho to LEO for UMUC students
• the effects of the move from WebTycho to LEO for UMUC instructors
• methods for helping UMUC instructors become acclimated to LEO
• methods for helping UMUC students become acclimated to LEO
• methods for improving online instruction at UMUC
• the feasibility of UMUC's offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

the feasibility of UMUC's offering credit to students who complete a MOOC

The following topics have been borrowed from Lannon, J.M, Gurak, L. J, and Daemon, D. (2011). Instructor's resource manual to accompany Technical Communication, 12th ed. Boston: Longman:

• the long-term effects of a vegetarian diet
• comparison of two or more brands of equipment
• the adequacy of veterans' benefits
• the influence of a stadium or civic center in your city or community
• the best computer to buy for a specific need
• the best type of computer (desktop, laptop, Chromebook, tablet) for a specific need
• the best location for a new business
• the effects of budget cuts in public education in your area
• the effects of legalized gambling in your state
• the causes of low morale in your workplace
• methods of improving productivity in your workplace
• analysis of benefits from organic farming practicesmethods of dealing with discarded computers and other types of electronic waste
• the pros and cons of taking writing classes online
• the pros and cons of taking classes online in ____ (fill in the blank with a field of study of your choice)
• the adequacy of police protection in your town or city

The following topics are ideas that have been used in previous classes:

• going to a wireless network
• going to a paperless office
• switching from Windows to Linux (or other similar switch)
• installing/upgrading company firewall
• establishing a drug policy
• establishing an employee leave donation program
• establishing an equipment donation program for used computers, etc.
• establishing a company recycling program (paper, etc.)
• education/retraining for your employees
• establishing a program for millennial workers (e.g., training on certain aspects of etiquette, on understanding other generations, etc.)
• designing a training program for workplace safety issues
• redesigning employee performance evaluations
• developing a work-at-home (telecommuting) policy
• developing a flex-time policy
• establishing on-site day care or providing other child care benefits
• providing gym membership or creating an on-site workout facility
• creating or revising a charitable contribution policy
• creating or improving a tuition assistance program
• accommodations needed for employee/s with specific health issues (for example, migraines)
• establishing a Habitat for Humanity (or other group) chapter at your organization

Some students have chosen topics outside of their workplaces, such as the following:

• betting additional lighting in the neighborhood
• changing traffic patterns around your child's school
• installing a tot lot in your neighborhood
• constructing a crying baby room at your place of worship
• offering ESL courses at your church
• increasing participation in a military Family Support Group