Project: Recommendation Report
WHAT: Research and write a Recommendation Report that persuades readers to take action in response to a defined problem within a specific company or organization.
The following information will guide the development of your Recommendation Report in ENG3107. Read carefully and ask your instructor to clarify anything you do not understand.
Deadlines:
Rough draft and critical self-reflection form to OWL for review and feedback: Revised draft and critical self-reflection form to OWL for review and feedback: Revised draft to ENG for Peer Review feedback:
Final Recommendation Report to ENG for assessment and feedback:
Format Requirements:
- 8+ pages of written content (cover page, table of contents, and references page do not count towards the page total)
- Proper APA format for all aspects of the report, including cover page, table of contents, abstract, in-text citations, and references page
- 4+ researched sources used within text of the document and listed on the references page
- Polished writing (i.e.: no errors in spelling, syntax, capitalization, punctuation)
- Organized paragraphs and sections
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Double-spaced lines
- 3rd person point of view
HOW: Develop the Recommendation Report keeping in mind that the final document must be in APA format and contain these required sections:
I. Cover page
(Use model provided in A Writer's Reference.)
II. Table of Contents
(Use professor's guidelines.)
III. Abstract
(This is a summary of the Recommendation Report using APA format based on model provided in A Writer's Reference; 150-250 words in length.)
IV. Introduction
a. Problem or issue that needs to be solved including any necessary contextual or background information
b. Brief overview about the specific company so the reader has a clear understanding of the organization and the report writer's role within (or relationship to) the organization
c. Target audience for the report
d. Clear statement about the solution that is being recommended (thesis statement) and the benefits the solution will provide the target audience
V. Discussion
a. Section arguing one point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence) with cited research data that supports the point
b. Section arguing another point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence) with cited research data that supports the point
c. Section arguing another point of support for thesis (clearly stated in a strong topic sentence) with cited research data that supports the point
d. Somewhere in the discussion section, address potential opposition (this might be accomplished in a separate paragraph or included within particular points of the discussion)
NOTE: The list above suggests sections for three main points, and this is provided as a general guideline; the report is not restricted to three main points. Please ask your instructor for clarification, if needed.
VI. Conclusion/Recommendation
a. Overall summary of discussion section that reiterates the main points and provides reflection on the findings, further emphasizing the benefits of accepting the recommendation for the target audience
b. Call to action: Next steps to be taken by the target audience to implement the recommendation made in the report
VII. References
(Use guidelines provided in A Writer's Reference.)
WHY: The Recommendation Report is an informative, analytical business document that uses research to persuade an audience to take action in response to a defined issue or need.
Recommendation Reports are most commonly designed to do one or more of the following:
- communicate a recommended solution or plan of action from one organization to another;
- communicate a recommended solution or plan of action from an individual to an organization;
- solve an internal problem.
This assignment allows you to demonstrate understanding of rhetorical appeals and definitions used in business communication through a formal, written report. It reinforces knowledge of writing as a process in which personal and collaborative revision and editing skills are used in service of substantive revision.
A Peer Review session is scheduled for the advanced draft of this assignment; participation in Peer Review as a reviewer and reviewee is required. Further details about Peer Review will be provided at a later time.
You will also be working with an OWL specialist to create multiple drafts of this assignment toward a polished, well-crafted final version of your work.
Questions to Ask
In the Development Stage of the Recommendation Report:
- What is the specific problem I will discuss in my report?
o Has the problem, and its recommended solution(s) or proposed course of action, been narrowed in scope to be described within the limits of the report's page count?
o What action do I want to convince the audience to do or accept?
o Will the report attempt to solve an internal organizational problem?
- Who is the target audience?
o Will the report be addressed from one organization to another? Or will it be from an individual to an organization?
o Who has the power to approve the recommendations in my report?
- What research findings will I need?
o How much background information will be needed to ensure the audience understands the problem and the need for solution(s)?
o What specific research findings will best support my description of the problem and my proposed recommendations for change?