Major Writing Assignment - Interview an Expert

Points Possible: 100 (See rubric below for details.)

Task:

Find a working professional and conduct a one-on-one interview about the importance of communication (either written or business presentations) in his or her field. Ideally in a field in which you are interested in pursuing. Individual interviewed should not be a family member or relative.

1. Conduct the interview by phone, email, or face-to-face.
   • Provide your interview participant with my contact information snyderjal@ccsu.edu for any questions.
   • Limit the interview to no more than 20 minutes.
   • Contact the participant at least five days before you expect a response.
   • Take good notes and use direct quotations.
   • Ask permission before recording a phone or face-to-face interview.
   • Within 3 business days of completing the interview, write a thank-you email to your interview subject and copy Dr. Snyder on the message (snyderjal@ccsu.edu).

Create your own list of questions, but here are some ideas. You do not have to ask all these questions; this list is a starting point.

1. Education and Experience
   • What is your current position?
   • How long have you been working in your current position?
   • What was the hardest part of your transition from school to work?
   • When you were in school, did you think you would be writing/presenting as much as you do now that you are on the job?
   • Did the writing/public speaking courses you took in college help?
   • What advice do you have for me about writing/presenting as I pursue my degree?
   • What writing tasks do you find most challenging and how do you deal with the challenge?
   • What advice do you have for me to succeed in college?
2. Writing
   • How often in a days work do you write?
   • What type of writing do you do most often?
   • Is most of your writing internal (within the company) or external?
   • Do you spend time revising messages before you send them out?
   • Do you follow the same rules of writing when you use email compared to a business letter?
3. Speaking
   • How important are public speaking/presentation skills in your work?
   • What type of presentations do you deliver most often?
   • What lessons have you learned about presentations that you never learned in school?
   • Have you ever had a bad presentation experience? What happened and what did you learn?
4. Job Marketplace
   • How did you find out about your current job?
   • Do you have a 5-year professional goal?
   • How have you continued to learn in your current position?
   • How has your job changed over the past couple years?
   • How has your company changed over the past couple years?

2. Conduct secondary research of credible sources on the importance of communication in the career field you have selected for this assignment. You may not use any source provided to you as part of this course. You must conduct your own independent research. Find credible sources using the CCSU Business Research LibGuide: https://libguides.ccsu.edu/businessguide.

3. Review your interview data and secondary research findings to draw 3 conclusions about communication in your chosen field. Each conclusion is a lesson in communication and should be supported by more than one source. In other words, when we write a conclusion, it should always be followed by supporting evidence.

4. Write a summary of your findings in a memo report. Use the template below to write your report. Include a references page. The report should include at least 3 high-quality references. I do not want to see wikis, blogs, or any other type of low-quality resource. Please use APA citation for both in-text citations and the references page. The reports should use Georgia font style with headings set to 14-point and text set to 11-point font size. The paragraphs should be single spaced and include no indentation on the first line. Allow for one space between paragraphs. The report must be limited to no more than 3 pages, excluding the references page.

5. Before submitting your report, use the 4 F Words to clean up the report and to remove any spelling and grammar errors. Try to eliminate 10% of the word count to be clear and concise in your communication.

6. Upload one Microsoft Word file by the due date. The report MUST be in Microsoft Word format and it must be a file (i.e., do not share a link with me).

MEMORANDUM

TO: Dr. Jason Snyder, Professor of Marketing

FROM: Student Name

DATE: Submission Date

SUBJECT: Write a Descriptive Subject Line

Background

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Communication Lesson #1

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Communication Lesson #2

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Communication Lesson #3

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References

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	value: 1-7	value: 8-14	value: 15-17	Score
CS1 Syntax and Mechanics	Students memo uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage. The writing also contains a number of syntax and mechanics errors.	Students memo uses plain English that generally conveys meaning to readers, although the writing may include some errors.	Students memo skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and is virtually error-free.
CS1 Organization	Students memo is difficult to understand because it utilizes no discernible, or inappropriate, organizational structure, lacks focus, and fails to use transitions.	Students memo is understandable because it uses appropriate organizational structure, loses focus only once or twice, and uses some transitions.	Students memo is very easy to understand because it is thorough, uses appropriate organizational structure, maintains focus throughout, and utilizes transitions.
CS1 Content	Students memo does not address the assignments goals.	Students memo addresses the assignments goal, but it fails to accomplish one or more of the goals.	Students memo is more thorough than average. It addresses and fulfills all of the assignments goals.
Research	Student failed to cite appropriate research.	Student cited research in most places where needed, but either made errors or used one or more inappropriate sources.	Student cited credible research in all places where it was required.
CS1 Structure	Students memo is not formatted as a memo.	Student attempts to format memo appropriately, but fails to provide appropriate routing information or uses an ineffective subject line.	Students memo is formatted appropriately and uses an effective subject line.
Professionalism	Student failed to meet expectations for professionalism.		Student met expectations for professionalism.
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