Brief outline for Group Presentation

This group project should include a few things

-Introduction

My group should first take the time out to let the audience know what is going to be discussed in this presentation. For instance, they could probably tell the reason why they choose to do these types of projects. It should mention FCDPS need for this type of implements. Maybe they should mention some statistics on zombie attacks and the likelihood it is going to happen in the Forest County Area. After they give a brief background of the situation, they should take time to introduce the different things they are going to implement in the presentation.

-Body

I think that we should use PowerPoint to implement all of the different group’s work. With PowerPoint it can allow each group representative to take the time out to introduce their video, website, etc. and not just some unorganized presentation. Also, with each group having 10 minutes to introduce each group work, PowerPoint would be easy to use and keep up with time issues. The only thing that I’m worried about is how groups such as our incorporate our videos.  This presentation shouldn’t be full of different video presentations but it should have each video differentiated from each other. This way the audience wouldn’t be looking at the videos with the same concepts. I’m not sure what the other groups have but I’m pretty sure it should be easy for each group to differentiate.  Last but not least, during this body portion of the presentation, each group representative should talk clearly and be able to introduce their group member’s ability and input into the project.

-Conclusion

The last part of the presentation should include a brief overview of the introduction and body of the presentation. Each group member should give the audience and in depth look and experience of how it felt to work on a project of this nature. Also, maybe some recommendations for upcoming projects like this that needs to be changed.

Editorial

Gas prices? We have all heard of the rising gas prices. The reason why I chose to edit this topic because I feel that something  can be done to make gas more cheap efficient.  According to the article gas around the nation will average four dollars a gallon. To the rich this may not affect them but for the common middle working class it will. Thirty percent of the US population are in the middle working class. Paying four dollars for the gallon of gas is not a good thing. I think the government should look to other sources of fuel to lower the cost of gas prices. For Instance, a lot of companies are starting to make fuel with renewable resources such as soybean, corn, and sugar cane.  This article itself just told that gas prices are rising but it did not give an explanation to making it better. I felt that the government should have given a problem to the solution. This would help the common people realize the government is at least making an effort to solve the problem. This not only effects common people but if effect the airline industry and fleet vehicles.  Believe it or not, these big industries have the money to pay for gas but the more money they take to put in these trucks and planes, the less revenue is being received.  This was a good article, but it should have put more in thought and about how the readers feel. Also this article is a good way to catch the reader’s attention. Once I saw it, I knew it could not be good especially when I see the gas rising. The author should have eased the topic in, instead of just getting to the point. With words like that, it can cause a readers to have an assumption before reading the rest of the article.

The rhetorical analysis of this article is straightforward. The article is a current event that many people can relate to. Taking this article and reading it , you can tell it was to the general public. It wanted to let the general public know that gas was continuing to rise. As an editor to the article, I would let my audience know that everything was going to be ok. Through research, I could prove that other companies are using other renewable source in attempt to make gas more cost efficient. Some readers of this article can say that the government will never make fuel cheap again.  That could be true but as a writer I want to inspire my readers to keep hope and that thing can change. The rhetorical situation is the best way to make sure the writer is doing everything in his power to get a point across to his readers. In essence, if I had to edit something, it would be this article. It is short but I was able to pull information that would be beneficial to me and the reader of the article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-area-gas-prices-average-above-4-for-1st-time-since-july-08-20110414,0,7222824.story?track=rss

Website Critique

Craigslist http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/

By now we have all heard of Craigslist. Craigslist is a website that connects the user to different sources.  For instance, people use if for personal reasons to sell things or even to get a date .Many people visit this website to find the best deals and it is a way to do free advertising. It is like an online classified for free. You would think for this website or webpage it would be more creative. One thing I like about Craigslist is that you can find almost anything if you search it. Although this is a great website, it calls for a few changes that need to me made in order to make it more pleasing to the eye of the user.

Before I critique this website, it should be known what the website looks like as is.  First off let’s start with the whole theme and color of the page.  The page is a white background with no pictures. As soon as you click the site it pops up to main screen according to the city you live in.  From looking at the page, I see or what I think to be are 14 font letters.  The color of the font seems to be an ocean blue color.  The words are all jumbled together as if you were looking for something.  For example, to paint the reader s mind about the site, think of a junkyard. In a junkyard, you know it’s going to be hard to find something. This is what Craigslist webpage reminds me of when I see it.  The best thing I can say about this website it that you get what you pay for. Seeing that this website is free to post ads, I guess it doesn’t matter what the website looks like long as they are able to do what they need to do.

If I got to critique this webpage these are some of the things I would do. First off I would have to pay attention to color. Color has a lot to do with the imagination of the users. Recently in class s we discussed how colors can make people feel a certain way or feel a type of emotion. I feel that if the creator of this webpage put time into thinking of a good color for the page, then it would make the users who visit the webpage have a pleasant experience. The second thing that I would maybe add is a pleasant picture to help with the user’s imagination. A good picture would help the user navigate through the page with ease. I really don’t have in mind what kind of picture that would help, but I know it should be something that attracts the users. The color of the font and size is acceptable to eye. It caught my attention. This is something I only would change if the white background changes. If that were to happen, then you would have to change the color or size in order to coordinate with the theme of the page. Overall this is a good website. With a few adjustments to the color of the background, spacing, and maybe adding a picture, this would be a good website that would help make the visitor’s visit a pleasant one.  I am in no way bashing this website because it has to a lot to offer someone for free advertisement.  Many people might not see anything wrong with the website, but I hope from my recommendations that it kind of open the graphic designer’s mind to some things I noticed from visiting the site often.

Individual progress report

The Forrest County Department of Safety has requested a proposal from my group.  We are proposing that the Forrest County residents be prepared in case of a zombie attack. My group and I are proposing to do a telecast advertising what to do if a zombie attack was to occur.  In this telecast we will be discussing the physique of the zombies, what to do in case if bitten, and weapons to use in case of being attacked. As of right now this is a plan that FCDPS should really take into consideration.

Facts and discussion

My group and I are working hard together to complete this collaborative project.  Progress was being made from the beginning. From the start of the project my group and I have been working well together.  From the beginning we came up with a schedule of how we wanted to get things to be done.  It first started with the proposal. We all took a part of the proposal and did a section. Next we begin planning the date to shoot our telecast.  We have shot part one of the telecast already and it turned out great. We are planning to shoot part two April 7 after class.  We are going to borrow equipment from the English department. This equipment will include a video camera and maybe a microphone. After we get those items, it should make our next video a success.  Everyone has contributed to the video equally.

Conclusion

In conclusion I like my group. We are really working well together. I couldn’t have asked for a better group.  The Forrest County residents should be prepared in case of a zombie attack. This telecast will be very informational. After we finish with the telecast the residents will know what to do if this was ever to occur in Mississippi or yet in the Pinebelt area.

Recommendation

It is asked of Mr. Webster to help with the editing of the video. My group and I are not familiar with the video editing program on the MAC computers.  With Mr. Webster’s expertise, we can make sure that this video is done correctly. This should complete our project. Also with us completing our video early, it would give us a chance to let Mr. Webster review it. If it’s something to change, it would give us plenty opportunity to make corrections.  

Resume and Cover letter

Master List

Customer needs

Math skills

Communication skills

Written skills

Computer skills

Pay attention to detail

After looking at all these qualifications I feel that I meet each one of these through my past job experiences. For instance I meet the customer needs job requirement because I have worked in the retail service for over 7 years. I have the math skills because I have taking accounting courses and ran the cash register at previous jobs.  I have Communication skills because I am a sociable person and have said many speeches in my pass coursework in school. My writing skills have improved a lot because I have written and did many projects throughout highschool and college. Also I know how to write in the business world because it is different from that of regular writing.  I think computer skills is my most strongest skill. Every job requires you to have background in  computers. Luckily my major requires me to be very efficient in computers because half of my major is technology. In all of the job experience and relevant coursework pay attention to detail is a qualification that I would say  I do a lot of. I think the best way to showcase all my skills and qualifications through a cover letter and resume is to list my jobs, positions I have held, and the things that I  have learned that would qualify me for the job.

The job I think  I would do great in is a manager trainee of the bank. This a six month to a year program. This program allows the candidate to spend time learning the entire banking system and equips them to manage a bank of their own one day. In the banking field everyone knows you first have to get your foot in the door. If I can obtain this position, I would be very appreciative.  These are the qualification for this specific field

•Four-year college degree

•Business-related degree or MBA

•3.0 cumulative GPA

•Excellent communication skills

•Strong accounting, analytical and computer skills

•Previous sales or marketing experience is preferred

•Available for employment by June 1 of the current year

•Must be able to work in U.S. without visa sponsorship by employer

First I will be graduating with a bachelor of science in Instructional Technology with an emphasis in Administration Communications.  I don’t have the 3.0 cumulative gpa per se but I will show in cover letter the reason why I have a 2.8 cumulative gpa is because I had a part time job while in school. This will show the recruiter that I am able to multitask while staying on top of my work.  Also I would clarify that I do have a 3.0 gpa in my area study. Excellent comunication skills and strong accounting, analytical and computer skills are a part of my course curriculum to graduate. For instance, I have had accounting classes, oral communication classes, and half of my major is technology so I have the background needed in that area also.  My previous work experience will show my sales or marketing experiences. This will be shown in my previous jobs located in my resume. Last but not least, I am available for employment by June 1 because I will graduate May 13.  Even though these are just some of the qualification I meet, I feel I have more to offer this company if I am offered the postion.

email revised

To: T. Leoni, Manager, Personnel Department

From: Donald Pryzblo, Manager, Data Processing Department

Subject: INCORRECT PAYROLL CHECKS

I have read the computer files and there are some errors in the computer files.

After taking the time and research, it has come to my attention that there is no way to prove where the mistakes came from. I’m not sure if it is  my staff or your staff but things need to be corrected.

I recommend that we both take the time and talk to our employees. We should let them know that mistakes are being made and they need to be corrected.

I suggest that we tell them to double check their work so that our company processes can run smoothly.

In essence no one is perfect but we all can have a hand in double checking the work so that things can balance out.   

In this email two things could have happened. I could have responded with temper and anger and told the other manager how I felt. The second thing that I could have done was reply in a way to say it is ‘our ‘ fault and take the blame. These things made the difference on if you be successful in the company or just be another manager who get in trouble every time something is not right.  After reading this email I wanted to say something bad back but I didn’t. What I did was turn everything into a positive. I took each line and made it to a positive to benefit the company.  This shows my character . In the first line I just simply changed the words  around .The email said “ I have been reviewing  the error in the computer files.” I respond to this message by saying that I understand that you have reviewed the computer files and that there were errors involved. With anything you want to address the problem and possible solution. This just simply says I am agreeing that the computer files have error in them.  This is like a way of a making the reader feel at ease that both of you agree that there is a problem and something need to be done to correct these issues so we can move forward as a company  and keep this same mistake from happening again. The second passage is a passage where all the drama begins with “Contrary to what you insinuated in our meeting, the majority of these errors were made by your clerks. I do not feel that my people should be blamed for this. They are correctly copying the faulty time tickets that your clerks are preparing. “ As a manager I see that he is upset and putting the blame on us. As a result, I respond in a pleasing way that says and show how either side could have messed this up.  It could have been us or them, who knows, because no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes so this is the point I’m trying to prove. These last three paragraphs” You and I discussed requiring my computer operators to perform the very time-consuming task of comparing their entries against the time sheets from which your clerks are miscopying. My people do not have the time to correct the errors made by your people, and I will not hire additional help for such work. I recommend that you tell your clerks to review their work carefully before giving it to the computer operators.” I kind of combined these together. I wanted to say that we should put a plan into process. A way for us to solve this problem is that each of us should go back and tell our staff to read and double check our work. That way, both sides are taking the initiative to solve the problem by double checking the work. In essence when communicating in an office environment, you never want to communicate when you’re angry like the email I read and when replying to the message. You want to make sure that you don’t respond in the same matter but address in a way to get your point across without stepping on any toes.

Brochure Project

The brochure project that we were asked to do had some things that it need to include.  I am an Instructional Technology major with emphasis in Administrative Communication.  One thing that I notice about my major is that this particular major is not found in many places which makes it a one of a kind program.Looking at other websites such jsu.edu/cob and olemissbusiness.com I saw that they don’t offer this program. Better yet they don’t offer the technology education field like I thought they would have.  I was looking at some of the other programs that USM,Jackson State, Ole Miss all offered and I realized that these websites really didn’t do anything to interest prospective students into the program. All of the these website just had simple pictures and long paragraphs. As a prospective student I wouldn’t want to read all of that instead I would rather read an overview of the program. This is why I’m considering changing that with the brochure I have to do.  The brochure that I am to going to do will include many things. My brochure will engage the reader’s attention with vibrant colors and simple words.  This will catch the desire of the reader because it will be something that they would like to see.  The primary reader for this brochure will be prospective students who do not have a major in mind yet and are looking for a good field.  Other people that might read this communication would be other colleges with this program. If they see that my brochure is bringing in a lot of prospective students, they would take notes from my brochure to see what readers like to see when looking at a brochure of this nature.  I think what makes my program different from others that it offers things that are beneficial to society. For instance, half of the major involves business and the other technology. Those are like the two most things that you need in today’s society. I will persuade the reader that they are getting the best of both worlds. I will show that a degree in this field you have a wide range of opportunities. This particular brochure does have its constraints. Most people expectations from this brochure might expect that it might be easy which it is not.  I would tell the reader that this will challenge you a little bit. One thing also that reader might not expect about this field that is actually fun.  Learning some of  the technology involved will be interesting and they would enjoy doing it. In essence this brochure will have lots great of information that will not make the reader bored. It will actually be just enough information to make the reader want to know more on this particular. Like I said earlier this program will be beneficial to prospective student because it is not offered anywhere else.  This will attract them because they will be getting a program that different from the rest and explore the numerous opportunities out there in the business world. 

Rhetorical Situation

The particular book I was asked to read was a business communications book.  The author did a lot to explain himself.  For instance, even though he wrote the book something was evident.  A part of my major requires me to write memos, letters, etc  as my first blog stated.  This particular book took time to explain the best way and how to write these letters and  memos.  As a business major it also require us to be concise and to the point.  After reading about rhetorical analysis I realized that the author wrote to its readers in the same way.  He explained and gave just enough detail to make sure the readers understood.  Also when I go back and analyzed his reading I realized that the chapters weren’t long at all. I was complaining when I had to read it for a class, but the writer made everything flow.  I found it  interesting that the authors of this book gave real life examples to go with each of the topics.  These examples painted the picture clearly for the reader.  I found difference in  language than other works I have read .  The writer had diagrams and picture to help evoke the readers imagination. Some other books that I have read was not like this. For instance other books I have read were hard to stay focus. This writer made things a little bit more interesting. I feel he wrote the topics so it would be more easier to read as a college student. He didn’t use a lot of technical writing to  make us think about a certain topic.  I also notice how he made all the chapter relate to one another.  Chapter after chapter related to the others.  As a reader you didn’t have to keep referring back because he used phrases like “as we covered in chapter 1”.  This helps readers like me reiterate or recall what was said in the last chapter to help us further understand the topic being taught.  I can honestly say after reading this book, I have learned something. I can say that don’t happen for many books I was  required to read in college.  For instance, previous book I read the chapter just so I wouldn’t get behind in the class.  Also I believe it makes a difference if it is for your major.  This particular book is something that I would continue to refer to later on as I get more involved in my career. This lead me to my last reason why this writer wrote the book. The writer was probably a college student himself at one point and knew how it was to have to sit and read the required text for class. I believe his main reason was  to make sure we understood  the text and not just reading it for leisure.  As a writer he knew the things discussed will be beneficial to having a successful career so he wrote in a way that it was easy to comprehend and to the point.  In essence, I never knew how analyzing a rhetorical situation is found in every piece of writing.

Student profile

Hello my name is Christopher Kelly. I am a senior majoring in Administrative Communications.  My area of study requires me to write a lot.  For instance, I plan to go into banking or finance after graduating.  This field will require me to write letters, memos, view resumes’, write loans etc. These documents have to be written perfectly. In the business world writing is not in depth as if you were writing for school or public use. I think I am a great writer with a lot of great ideas.  Sometimes I can get ahead of myself and write to in depth on a certain topic.  For instance, I remember when I had a break down in writing.  It was my freshman year and I had to write a research paper.  One of the things I find difficult about writing research papers are the directions.  Some directions are not clear enough. My professor gave me a topic that was very broad and expected me to write a lot of pages.  I didn’t know where to start.  Fortunately over time and experience, I began to learn the proper way to write research papers.  I am not the best, but I believe I have come a long way. I was advised to take this class by my advisor rather than taking the required Eng 332 class. This class will involve writing that would be more beneficial to my career.  In conclusion, I am hoping that I can improve my writing skills to help make me more successful in my career.