The final version of this paper is due on Sunday of unit eight. I would appeal to your better nature and ask you to try to turn it in earlier than that though. The final draft is worth 260 points and is a major component of the portfolio.
For this paper, you should explore an organization’s communication in a crisis or change situation. Begin with an organizational crisis or change situation—school shootings, chemical or oil spill, bankruptcy, change in CEO, etc. Here are some examples of papers you might do:
study the corporate response to a company’s recall of a drug or a product
study an athlete’s (or actor’s or company’s) apology for wrong doing
study the speeches of a new CEO
The list is really endless. Essentially, you pick some communication and analyze it using a method or theory from the lectures, text, or your own research. The topic you pick will lead you to a method of analysis. A number of possible ways of analyzing communication exist. For example, Bill Benoit at the University of Missouri discusses image restoration (how do people who have screwed up get back in good standing with their peers/publics). Coombs, Seeger, Sellnow and Ulmer often write a crisis communication.
In the paper, you should develop an effective argument about theimplications of a communicative act. Avoid making obvious claims–show your reader something important that they didn’t already know.
Follow the format outlined in the handouts and our discussions. The information below should serve as a guide.
This paper should be at least 10 complete pages long– on to the eleventh page is better. It should be typed in a 10-12 character-per-inch font, double spaced with one-inch margins. As a paper, it should have an introduction which sets up the paper and a conclusion that reviews your main ideas. Use section headings, transitions between sections, and previews and reviews in each section. You must use at least eight sources in the paper. Remember to use APA style. Spell-check and grammar-check is recommended. Papers with many errors hurt your credibility and your ability to communicate.
Realize that we are writing the paper in stages. You will write three papers and combine them into this one final paper, so 1) don’t panic and 2) don’t forget to go back to the drafts and edit the paper to make it flow.
Guidelines
Introduction
1. Attention getter.
2. Identify the communication you will be studying.
3. Explain why it’s important to look at this event.
4. Preview the sections of the paper.
Background
1. Give background on when, where, and to whom the communication was delivered.
2. Describe the communication—summarize its main points.
3. Discuss the crisis or event that made the communication necessary.
4. Explain the circumstances surrounding the act/communication.
5. Explain the barriers/expectations the piece faces.
6. Describe the speaker,
7. Summarize at least three articles about the communication/speaker.
8. Explain in more detail why the text/communication is interesting (expand on your introduction).
9. State your thesis or main argument about how we should see the communication.
Theory/Methodology
1. Explain your theoretical perspective.
2. Summarize at least three other studies done with your method.
3. Explanation of why this method works with the communication you are exploring
4. Explain what standards are used for evaluation? Effects? Truth? Ethics? Artistry?
Analysis/Evaluation
1. Identify your thesis. Phrase it as how, using your methodology as a lens, we now “see” your artifact/communication.
2. Develop at least three arguments which support the thesis/research question.
3. Give at least three examples (often quotes from the artifact) to support each of the arguments.
4. Using criteria established in your theory section, what can we learn about this piece? This speaker? These strategies? The consequences of using these strategies?
5. What conclusion or assumptions about the rhetor or the artifact can be made?
Conclusion
1. What is the general argument of your study?
2. What has this study contributed to the study of organizational communication?
3. What are some possible areas for future study?
4. What should the reader take away from this work?
Requirements: Looking for a more in-depth guide with all the details.
Create a professional document in accordance with instructions
Writing Question
Write a White Paper. It is 2025 and you are a captain working in the County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff and you were at a townhall meeting where many people complained about their concern with law enforcement’s increasing use of technology to invade their privacy. The Sheriff promised the people at the townhall meeting that she would discuss current and future technology at the next meeting. The Sheriff asked you to prepare a memo on emerging technologies and how it will impact the department. You must select two types of technology not yet used by the Sheriff’s Department. You are to briefly describe the technology, how it will be used, identify potential legal issues, and how you will inform the community of the technology’s use. After conducting research, you must write a white paper that follows the following criteria:
Create a professional document in accordance with instructions in the Professional Writing Guide.
The length must be between 500 and 1000 words. You will be penalized for shorter or longer memos.
For this week’s discussion, create a brief presentation addressing the following:
Your business plan is now complete. Imagine you are in front of a group of investors, presenting your business idea and encouraging them to invest in your chosen company.
What key financial information does your audience need to decide whether to invest in you and your business?
Funding You Are Seeking.
Why Will Investors Want to Invest in This Business and in You?
Formatting
Select one of these formats:
PowerPoint with notes; no more than 10–12 slides.
Audio over PowerPoint.
Video presentation over PowerPoint
Storytelling (video recording)—no PowerPoint needed for this option.
Reminder: You have been working with the information for this presentation all quarter in the discussion and assignments. This is not new information. Now is your chance to succinctly show investors what your chosen business is all about and why they should want to invest in you and your company.
If you select one of the PowerPoint formats, include bullets, relevant images, and the like, do not include paragraphs or full sentences on the slides.
Your presentation needs to impress the investors; make it creative and interesting while including all the relevant information.
You may find this resource on Kaltura Help [PDF] useful to you if you decide to do a video recording.
As you prepare to respond to this post, refer to the “Just in Time (JIT) Supply Chain” Learning Activity. Watch the video and respond to the following. According to the video, what are the benefits of a JIT supply chain? Provide an example presented in the video. Next, what did you find most interesting about what the presenter said about a JIT supply chain? Explain your answer. Lastly, provide an example of when a JIT supply chain would work or when it would not.
Just in Time (JIT) Supply Chains
Introduction
Can the just in time (JIT) strategy work for every company? As you watch this video, consider the conditions that are necessary for success in a JIT supply chain.
