Module 25

Using Visuals

You want to use visuals only for points you want to emphasis. In your rough draft, use visuals to:

• See that ideas are represented completely.
• find relationships.
• make points vivid.
• emphasize material.
• present material more compactly and with less repetition.
• focus on information that decision makers need.

The number of visuals you need depends on the purpose, kind of information you are presenting, and the audience. Every visual should tell a story. Stories can be described in sentences or tell how something changes. To find stories you should:

• Focus on a topic.
• Simplify the data.
• Look for relationships and changes.

It matters what kind of visuals you use. The visuals much match the story you are telling. Every visual should have a title that tells the story, a clear indication of what the data is, clearly labeled units, labels, the source, and the source of the visuals. Make sure to use color carefully and be sure that the visual is accurate and ethical.

Module 24

Long Reports

When writing a long report you will have a introduction, background, body, conclusion, recommendations, references, and appendixes. You will organize your time by writing parts as soon as you can and spending time on sections that support your recommendations. Also be sure to write all the sections your long report will have. Spend the most times on the ones more important to your reader. First you will have the title page of the report which contains who it is prepeared for, who it is prepared by, the release date, and the title of the report. The title of the report should be as imformative as possible. Letter or memos of transmittals should be used when you are a regular employee of the organization. You a letter format if you are not. Transmittals serve certain purposes such as to transmit the report, orient the reader to the report, and to build a good image of the writer and the report. You also want to include a table of contents and a list of illustrations. You executive summary will tell the reader what the document is about. To write this you ust know the report support and recommendations. The introduction must include the purpose and scope and also the limitations, assumptions, and methods. Even though the current audience may know the history make sure to include the background or history for future reference. Your conclusion at the end is there to summarize the points you made in your report. Then finally your recommendation offer solutions to the problem.

Modules 27

Resumes

When writing a resume you can encourage the employer to pay more attention to your resume by showing your qualifications and how they will fit in with the company.  Make sure to emphasize your achievements, use buzzwords and jargon for the company, design the resume to appeal to the human eye, consider using a career objective with the employer’s name, and include skills that are helpful to almost any job. You should choose the resume that makes you look best. Chronological resumes have more of your work history on a time lined bases. Skill resumes use headings or key aspects of the job you are applying for. So they are more specific to the job you are looking for. 

When comparing chronological and skill resumes you will see that there are similarities like career objective, summary of qualifications, education, honors, and references.  If the regular categories don’t fit into what you would like you should create new categories. If you have a lot of qualifications you should not limit your resume to just one page. To create a scannable resume take out all of your formatting. That will help make sure the resume is scanned correctly.

To prepare an online resume if the employer request one you should:

• Include email link at the top of your resume.
• Omit your phone numbers and street address.
• Add links to other pages that might add more information about you.
• Be professional.
• Put your strongest qualification immediately after your name and email.
• Specify the job you would like
• Use list, indentations, and white space for a visual variety.
• Proofread the resume very carefully.

Module 22

Finding, Analyzing, and Documenting Information

This module starts out letting you know how to find imformation online and print. You can do so by using keywords to search the information. When writing questions for surveys or interviews make sure to test the questions to make sure that they are clear or neutral. Closed questions have a limited number of responses unlike open questions. You can decide who to interview by doing random sample surveys or using judgement sample. You should analyze the data by looking for answers to your research questions, patterns or using interesting nuggets. You should check your sources and also use MLA or APA format. Make sure to use Citation when writing papers so the source is known.

Modules 17 & 18

Listening

The form of communication we practice most often is listening. Listening is crucial so you should polish your listening skills on the job and as well in your personal life. Good listeners consciously follow four practices. Good listeners pay attention because it requires energy. They focus on the speakers in a generous way. Listening errors happen when the listener is not paying enough attention.Good listeners also focus on the other speaker in a generous way. Some people listen looking for flaws or moments when they can attack the other speaker. In contrast good speakers listen in a generous way and realize that although the other speaker may not be as polished they still have something to say. They realize that they can learn something even from someone they may not like. They also avoid making assumptions and ask questions because it can provide useful information they may be seeking. They also listen for feelings and facts consciously. Active Listening is feeding back the literal meaning, the emotional content, or both. You can show someone you are listening by acknowledging their comments in words, nonverbal symbols, and actions.

Working and Writing in Teams

This module focuses on teamwork and why it is essential to an organization succeeding.  The kind of messages groups should attend to ate messages that are appropriate at different points in the groups development. These messages fall into three categories which are informal, procedural, and interpersonal. The roles people play in groups can be positive and negative. Being a leader in the group does not mean that you do all the work yourself. Most groups keep the balance with three kinds of leaders. Informal leaders, interpersonal leaders, and procedural leaders. When handling conflict you should get the real issues and repair bad feelings.You can create the best co-authored documents by talking about your purposes and audiences and discuss drafts and revisions as a group.

Modules 15 & 16

Choosing the Right Word

This module mainly talks about using the right word and why it is important to do so. Using the right word helps you look good and get the response you want. It shows that you are apart of the discourse community. It also helps you create a friendly image of you and your company. It's important to get your meaning across so write in a way that is understandable to the reader. Using the write word also helps you get the response you want from the reader. Words get there meaning depending on the usage. It's ok to use jargon when it is essential. If you are not sure if the reader knows the meaning then define the term. Some words with similar sounds may confuse the reader. 

Revising Sentences and Paragraphs

When writing it is good to sound both businesslike and friendly. You should avoid contractions, slang, and pay closer attention when writing uncomfortable messages. When revising sentences there are six styles you can use. First use active verbs most of time, you should also use verbs to carry weight of your sentence. You can also tighten you writing  by not making it too wordy. It's also good to vary sentence length and sentence structure. You can mix several different sentence patterns several different ways. Parallel structure should be used to make your writing smooth and forceful. It is also good to put your readers in you sentences by using second-person pronouns rather than third person. When revising paragraphs you should check for topic sentences and begin most of your paragraphs with topic sentences and use transitions to link ideas. Different cultures usually have a different style of writing that they may prefer.

Chapter 8 & 13

Reader Benefits

The main points in this module focus around reader benefits. Reader benefits are important because they improve the audiences attitudes and actions. You can start to identify the readers benefits by brainstorming. Think of feelings, fear, and needs that may motivate your reader. Identify feature of your product and think of how they could benefit the reader.When you identify you should use strong, vivid details. When deciding what benefits to use you should follow three principles. Use at least one benefit for each part of your audience, use intrinsic, and use the benefits you can develop most fully. Also be sure to have you-attitude when stating reader benefits.

E-mail Messages and Web Writing

Since formats are still evolving most emails will prompt you to supply various parts of the format . When using subject lines you want to be specific, concise, and catchy.When writing e-mail  message the negative and persuasive messages should be more direct than paper messages because readers read and reply to e-mails so quickly.  You should use attachments when the reader expects and needs them. When writing on the web use good business writing principles and consider how people will interact with the text you use. You can use blogging on the job as long as it is professional. This also goes for social networking tools. Other technologies that use the internet are fax, phone, instant messaging, and videoconferencing.