The assignment for individual reading #4 is as follows and in keeping with the Syllabus, class discussions, instructions and the Rubric (attached): Each student will research and sele

RUBRIC Individual Reading Assignments

Individual Reading Assignments CONTENTS The individual reading assignments will be formatted and submitted with the following formatting requirements and content:

I. Topic a. A topic will be assigned to the class b. Each student must find a relevant article that incorporates the topic for the

Memo II. Memo Format

a. Every paper submitted will employ a ‘Memo format’ [see attached]. This is for illustrative purposes as to what each individual reading should include as to content and format.

b. Content also will include the paragraph headings in the Memo format III. Each student shall select an article/ paper for the assignment based on the

overall subject matter/ topic given for that individual assignment IV. The memo will contain:

a. To whom the Memo will be addressed/ sent to: i. The recipient shall be a relevant company/ industry/ individual and

be addressed to one of the following: 1. The CEO of the business, or 2. The Chairman, or 3. The Board of Directors

b. The current date c. The ‘subject matter’ of the memo d. Paragraph Headings per the Memo format

i. A relevant ‘Summary’ or ‘Background’ of the article ii. A ’Discussion’ of the topic/ subject matter for each heading iii. ‘Recommendations’ for the recipient (individual or company) iv. ‘Other Observations’ beyond the ‘recommendations’ provided

e. The recipient of the Memo must have some relation or linkage to the subject matter and the topic/ article referenced

V. Citations/ References a. The article/ paper that was the basis for the memo must be cited as to

author and source Your final product will be evaluated and graded in terms of its ability to effectively address the overall topic and applicability to the class lecture topics and germane to consulting, strategy, and finance. In grading the Memo, I will pay attention to the following issues:

RUBRIC Individual Reading Assignments

• Was the paper formatted as a memo? • Is the topic in keeping with the assignment? • Is the recipient (a person or company) a logical recipient for the subject

matter? • Is the Memo concise, coherent, persuasive, and logical? • Citations and/ or References, were they provided? • Attributions provided? • Quality of the paper’s content and information provided to the recipient

RUBRIC Individual Reading Assignments

MEMO DATE:

TO:

FROM:

COPY:

SUBJECT:

BACKGROUND In this portion of the memo, the writer briefly but completely reviews the facts of the case or paper. This paragraph will contain historical data, information that is a matter of public record, and facts that are relevant to the recommended communication strategy.

DISCUSSION In this portion of the memo, the writer expands on the implications of the facts cited above. This is where the writer explains to the reader what those facts mean and why they matter. The discussion paragraph often becomes the basis for the recommendations that follow. This is often the largest section of the memo. RECOMMENDATIONS In this paragraph, the writer lays out each recommendation in specific terms.

OTHER ISSUES On occasion, the paragraph above will be labeled “Actions Recommended,” and would be preceded by a paragraph labeled “Actions Taken.” The difference is a matter of authority in the organization. The memo writer clearly has authority to take certain actions on his or her own and to back brief the supervisor or manager by means of this memo. That same writer might propose actions that the reader is asked to agree to. It is always useful for the reader to know what tasks have already been done, and what tasks he or she is being asked to approve.

Most memoranda do not include a signature block, nor do they feature salutation lines (“Dear . . ..”) or complimentary closing lines (“Sincerely yours,”).

RUBRIC Individual Reading Assignments

To conclude, most memos will feature some distinctive typographical mark just beneath the last line of type. Some authors will use their initials, other will simply use the pound sign or other mark of their choice.

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