Project 4 Presentation Reflection

Hello everyone,

As you know, for Project 4 each group will present their work to the class. For the presentation you are not responsible for I would like to you write a brief (what would be about one page, double spaced, in a Word doc)reflection on what you saw. So, if you're in the Blue Collar Office Supplies group, you would write a reflection on the Paper Cutter group's presentation.

I'd like you to discuss what you thought was good about the presentation, what could be improved, what you liked, and anything else you can think of.

This will be due by Friday 4/23.

Daniel

Where are we lacking? Part I

As we embark on the first week of Project 4-centered work, questions may arise. Use the comments section of this entry as a space to talk about things you'd like to or need to know more about in order to succeed in this project and beyond.

For example, you could say that you need to know more about the writing process, or revision.

Daniel

Creating Dunder Mifflin Policy

Hi everyone,

In class today (Friday 4/2) we discussed Dunder Mifflin's discrimination-related problems, and how they should be addressed. We noted WSU's website and how they put together a short document addressing potential problems in this arena.

Your task is to create a similar document, in memo format, for Dunder Mifflin to work off of.

Please email me these submissions instead of posting on the blog by Friday 4/9.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me if you have questions or concerns.

Daniel

Reflections on Sexism Discussion

Similar to the previous entry, please reflect on the past week or so of class and reflect on what we've discussed in reference to sexism. Note that this does not only focus on sexism in the traditional male against female sense, but can also touch on heteronormativity, prejudice against various sexualities, and anything else you think is significant.

Please write what would be between one and two pages, double spaced, in a Word document.

This will be due Monday April 5th by classtime.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me if you have problems or questions.

Daniel

Racism Discussion Reflection

Hello everyone,

In the comments section of this entry I'd like you to write a reflection on last week's class discussions, quiz, etc. What struck you? What did it all make you think about? What did you like/dislike, agree with, disagree with?

Write what would be between one and two pages, double spaced, in a Word Document.

Since I posted this so late in the weekend (sorry about that) this won't be due until Tuesday at noon.

daniel

Visual Design Principles

In her book The Non-Designer's Design Book, Robin Williams (not Mrs. Doubtfire, too bad, right?) coins the C.R.A.P. Design Principles, though some may call them C.A.R.P. to be more PC.

On Wednesday you'll be designing a visual document/text for Dunder Mifflin using these principles. Your job is to research what "CRAP" stands for. Here's a hit - the first one is "contrast."

In the comments section below post what you think "CRAP" stands for, and where you found your information. Also, provide a brief (one or two paragraph) commentary on why these principles are particularly useful. After all, Williams chose four terms as being the most important. Why these four, why not something else?

Please post by 8 AM on Wednesday Feb. 24.

Daniel

Visual Rhetoric at Dunder Mifflin

Hello everyone,

After discussing and reading about visual rhetoric and rhetorical analysis for a few days I would like you to think about the merits of such skills in the workplace. Respond to this blog entry with the equivalent to 1.5-2 pages (double spaced in a Word document) endorsing the merits of teaching visual rhetoric/rhetorical analysis skills to Dunder Mifflin employees.

Be sure to discuss why it's a good idea, why it's worth the extra time and money, How employees would be better prepared to do their jobs with such skills, and anything else you deem significant enough to discuss.

Please post your response by 8 AM on Monday Feb. 22.

Daniel

Ethics in the Workplace/Business (Lannon)

In reference to John M. Lannon's chapter entitled "Weighing the Ethical Issues" in Technical Communication, address the question "Why should we consider ethics in the workplace/business?" Use Lannon to complement what you think, or if you disagree with what Lannon says, try to disprove what he has to say.

Please post your responses (less than one page, double spaced, if you were to type it in Microsoft Word) by Wednesday Feb. 3rd.

Daniel

Cover Letters

So we've talked about resumes, okay. With a resume a prospective employer can see the key facts about who you are and your qualifications. But what about personality, and how does one go about spinning past experience to fit a specific job opening? Well, that's where cover letters come in.

The Assignment:
1. Search the web for discussions and tips on job cover letters.
2. Post a link to the site or sites you looked at.
3. Copy and paste or type out significant parts of the source or sources.
4. Provide some sort of commentary. Do you agree, disagree? Was the particular site you found helpful? Why or why not?

*Also, a couple of quick tips: First, we're going to be doing a peer review of your cover letters and resumes this coming Friday (1/22/10), so you may want to get rolling on that over the next few days. Second, if you're having problems with your resume, take a look at the comments section from the last blog. There's a lot of great stuff there!

Enjoy the long weekend,

Daniel

Resume Conventions

If you're applying for a job with Dunder Mifflin, you'll need a great resume. So, the question becomes, what goes in to a great resume?

Instead of reading through a text book on resumes and talking about the reading, I'd like you to go online and search resume guidelines, conventions, suggestions, etc. There are many websites that talk about resumes and related topics, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find.

When you find a site (or a few) that talk about resumes, post what you find in the comments section, tell us where it came from (provide the url) and tell us briefly what you think of the suggestions provided. Also, print out what you find and bring it to class (along with your existing resume, if you have one). In class Friday we'll put together what we agree upon as being proper resume guidelines and conventions.

Feel free to let me know if you have questions,

Daniel

Introduction

This blog is dedicated to discussion regarding the Dunder Mifflin corporate headquarters (aka English 402.1 at WSU). To correspond with your CEO and/or colleagues, just reply to the questions and/or discussion points published on this sight.

Thank you,

Daniel F. Schafer
CEO