Writing assignment 4: Proposal to Implement a Stand-Up Desk at Workplaces

Writing Assignment #4
Research-Based Report to a Decision-maker
Summary of assignment
Task: You write a report that does the following:
defines a problem persuasively and accurately
proposes a solution or solutions to the problem or issue
presents that solution to a decision-maker or group of decision-makers who can implement the recommendation
Topic: You will choose the same topic on which you wrote the memo for writing assignment #3.
Length: 2000-3000 words
Format: Your sources will be cited and listed in APA format.
Writing Process: You will submit a first draft of the report to the assignment folder. The first draft will be given comments by the instructor. After receiving comments from the instructor, you will submit a revised draft. The final draft will be graded.
If you do not submit a second draft, the first draft will be graded.
Components of the report:
title page
letter to the decision maker [this can be a business letter OR a memo]
executive summary
table of contents
introduction
body of the report to include headings and subheadings
conclusion stated as a recommendation for implementation of the solution
References page, with references listed in APA 7th Edition format
Any appendix [or appendices if there are multiples]
Secondary Sources
ONLY SECONDARY SOURCES are to be used for the WRTG 394 research report.
The complete report should also cite at least NINE secondary sources. At least FIVE of these secondary sources should come from peer-reviewed, scholarly journals.
As noted above, your secondary sources will be integrated into the paper to explain the problem, to provide evidence of the problem, and to support the solution.
You might have taken WRTG 393 at UMGC. In WRTG 393, the final paper is a white paper. This assignment is different from the white paper in WRTG 393. In this paper for WRTG 394, you are writing to a specific decision-maker about a specific problem in your workplace or community. The audience is much more focused than that for the white paper in WRTG 393.
Graphics [Photos, Charts, Graphs, or other Visuals]
Your report might benefit from graphics. As mentioned above, pictures of your workplace or community situation might help illustrate the problem you are trying to address. Graphs, tables, or charts might help show trends that will persuade your decision-maker that the problem exists.
Please do not incorporate a graphic for the sake of incorporating a graphic. Include a graphic only if it helps communicate a message in your report.
Due Date
Your instructor will notify you of the due date. You will write a first draft, your instructor will comment on the first draft, and you will submit a second draft using the comments as your guide.
Guides to Help You in Writing this Assignment:
Victoria University of Wellington
Colorado State University
Topic Selection:
For this report, you will write on the same topic on which you wrote the memo for writing assignment #3. In addition, it should be related to the topic on which you wrote writing assignment #2. The secondary research you conducted for writing assignment #2 should be usable in some form for this report.
You must contact your instructor for approval before changing your topic from writing assignment #3. In addition, if you do so, you must re-submit a memo for writing assignment #3.
Submitting the assignment:
You will submit a first draft of the essay to the assignment folder. The first draft will not be graded. The instructor will provide comments on it.
After receiving comments from the instructor, you will submit a revised draft. The final draft will be graded.