Below are assignment instructions for English 303. Remember that student writing examples are on Moodle.
1. Call/Request for Proposals
First, select a topic per the requirements given in these instructions. Then write a proposal memo where you propose to do further research on that topic leading to a white paper where you will present your findings and recommendation.
2a. Call for an Extended Definition
Submit a memo only to me where you give an extended definition or description of a term or process related to your proposal topic. You may want to define or describe how something is made, or how it works, or one of its major components.
The checklist below is in Word format so you can add to it as you need.
2b. Extended Definition Outline
This assignment is “just” an outline of your definition memo or description memo. You will not write it as a memo. Your body outline will depend not only on whether you are defining or describing a term or describing a process but also on the nature of the term or process. Do not blindly follow the example outlines. You need to look at the checklist on page 4 of the extended definition assignment instructions document located above and choose those that fit your topic.
3. Writing Corrections: Proposal & Definition
See Rubric With Writing Corrections Instructions and the Writing Corrections Sheet at <davidmmerchant.com/engl30/>. You will download the Writing Corrections Sheet, fill it out (according to the instructions in the Rubric With Writing Corrections Instructions document) and then submit the Writing Corrections Sheet to me via Turnitin. Check the course schedule in the syllabus for due dates.
4a. White Paper
The lecture “What is a White Paper?” just defines what a white paper is (it is an extended definition of a white paper). The white paper assignment officially assigns the white paper and discusses content. Merchant’s Style Guide (davidmmerchant.com/style-guide/) gives formatting details: see Section 4 for title formatting guidelines and Section 8 for report (formatting) guidelines.
These following White Paper Instructions will help you understand how you can effectively organize the content of your white paper. Your decisions will dictate how clearly your information is presented.
This checklist is in Word format so you can add to it as you need.
4b. White Paper Outline
This assignment is “just” an outline of your white paper. Same as with the definition outline, you will not write it as a memo. I fully realize that as you write your paper, you may make some changes to the your paper’s organization, which is OK.
5. Progress Report Memo
The progress report is a status report on a project or task. For this class, you will give a progress report on the status of your white paper. This memo will give you the instructions for filling out a progress report.
Mr. David M Merchant 