PROJECTS
Sample technical writing documents: http://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/models.html
The following describes the various projects for this course. If and when appropriate, all projects must use either the APA or MLA citation style consistently. Additionally, all projects must:
be typed
have appropriate headingsand sub-headings.
use Times New Roman only
be 12 points in font size
be double-spaced (except the resume and cover letter assignment)
meet the length requirement of the assignment; however, it should not exceed the assignment length requirement by more than one page.
All the following projects, except smaller writing and homework assignments, should be submitted via Turnitin.
1. MAJOR PROJECTS
Project 1: Memo Assignment
For this project, you will be composing a memo of at least THREE FULL pages (double- spaced) on the state of privacy in the workplace. In performing and completing this assignment, you should:
Learn about the current understanding of the “expectation of privacy” in the workplace;
Learn about how to format a memo document
Learn to make clear, useful recommendations based on your research Here is a scenario that you will be using to guide your writing process:
You have recently been hired by a technical writing firm. Susan Williams, President of the firm, has asked you to write a concise, formal memo regarding e-mail use, Internet use, and “the expectation of privacy” in the corporate workplace.
As the company has reached a certain level of growth, the company must codify its communications policies. Williams wants you to perform initial research on the general state of affairs regarding e- mail use, Internet use and the expectation of privacy in the corporate workplace.
Most importantly, you are to develop a working set of recommendations (that may be modified later), based on your research, for new employees regarding their use of e- mail and the Internet at work.
Williams offers a series of questions to get you thinking, but wants you to choose the focus of your memo based on your interests and experience, your research and, ultimately, your recommendations.
Generally, what do employees assume about their privacy in the workplace?
What assumptions about privacy do employees typically have about e-mail and Internet use?
Is e-mail and Internet use typically monitored by private companies or public agencies?
If use is monitored, why? Are there specific situations that might trigger monitoring? What are they? How do the technologies work that monitor use? Must employees be notified if they are being monitored?
What does the United States Constitution say about workplace privacy? What do the courts say? Are there cases pertaining to the use of e-mail and the Internet and the expectation of privacy? What are they?
Is workplace communication a different concept than, say, communication between individuals? How?
Do you see a common attitude or set of policies regarding e-mail and Internet use,
and the expectation of privacy, that the company should adapt? What are your recommendations?
To effectively undertake this assignment successfully, you should read several materials (including journal articles) and find out how they define privacy; what privacy means in the workplace; examples of privacy-related cases in the workplaces; and what the U.S. constitution says about privacy. Remember to consult at least THREE SOURCES for this assignment. The discussion on memos in our course textbook should help you think deeply about these issues. I have also posted some materials on memos on Blackboard. You may also review the PowerPoint I posted on memos for further information.