Submitting Project 3

April 11 is the due date for Project 3. For today’s session, you’ll write your reflection memo and (if you’re ready) submit your project. We will not talk about Project 3 in class after Friday 4/11; however, you have a one-week grace period if you need it. The very last moment when you can submit Project 3 is Friday, April 18 at 11:55 PM.

Write Your Reflection Memo

For this project, your reflection memo will provide me with all the details about your project. You can look back at the Tests & Quizzes you have written during the last few weeks and use the relevant information you wrote in your answers. You will also tell me about what you have written.

Follow these instructions to submit your work:

  1. Go to the Assignments tab on the left menu in Scholar.
  2. Choose “P3: Job-Application Materials.”
  3. Scroll down to the text box below the headings Submission and Assignment Text. You will write your reflection memo in this box.
  4. Add your memo headers (To, From, Subject, and Date).
  5. Insert a horizontal divider line using the button indicated with the red arrow in the image below:
    Insert Horizontal Line button in Scholar
  6. Add headings and details for each of the following sections:
    • Deliverables: List what they are for your project and tell me where to find them. For example you might give me your LinkedIn link or the share link to your resume on Google Docs. You shared your list in your “04/02 P3 Criteria” In-Class Writing.
       
    • Personal Goals: Tell me why you have chosen to complete the tasks that you did for your project. You shared your plans in your “03/28 P3 Topic” In-Class Writing.
       
    • Engagement: Explain how you engaged in the project and about the effort you put in. Remember that for this project, I am looking for details on your Attendance, Timeliness, Readiness, Risktaking, and use of Feedback. Find more details in the Project Assignment under the heading “Project Expectations.”
       
    • Self-Assessment: Tell me how well you met the criteria you set for yourself and the Expectations for Project 3. Think about what you did well, what you think is good enough, and what you could do better.
       
    • Optional: If there’s anything else you need to tell me about the project, you can add another section and include that information as well
       
  7. Agree to the Honor Code by clicking the checkbox at the bottom of the page in Scholar.
  8. Submit your Project, and save a copy of the confirmation and submission ID.

Homework

We will begin talking about Project 4: Web Analysis Report. In this project, you will work with your group to analyze some online resources and write a recommendation report. Your group will present your findings to the class in an oral presentation during the last week of classes. The readings for this project will be Chapter 13 (“Writing Recommendation Reports”) and the section on “Designing Web Sites” in Chapter 7 (pp. 169–174 of “Designing Documents and Web Sites”). Go ahead and begin reading these materials.

Job-Application Tips

Job App Cat: If you look into my resume, you'll see I've caught the red dot.We’ll look at some student examples of how to add details and data to your project in a Tips for Job-App Materials slide presentation that we will go over.

I’ll also share a Facebook suggestion for those of you worried about an employer asking you to friend them so they can check out what you post.

Finding Online Examples

If you are looking for examples you can use as models, you might look for the profiles of colleagues you worked with at internships, other students, grad assistants, and your teachers.

One warning: Do not use my LinkedIn, GitHub, or Academia.edu pages as your examples. None of them are up-to-date, and I would never hold up any of them as models for you.

LinkedIn Summary

Resume Objectives

In-Class Writing

Go to “Tests & Quizzes” in Scholar and complete Wednesday’s assignment, “04/09 Proof of Work” by 5 PM on Tuesday, 04/10/2014. The in-class writing asks you to summarize what you worked on in class today.

Homework

  • On Friday, 04/11, the project is due, so you’ll make any last-minute changes to your project and write your reflection memo. Note that I may be a few minutes late for the 1:25 Class.
  • On Monday, 04/14, I will go over Project 4 and you’ll begin work on that project. For Project 4, you will work with your group to analyze some online resources and write a recommendation report. Your group will present your findings to the class in an oral presentation. The readings for this project will be Chapter 13 (“Writing Recommendation Reports”) and the section on “Designing Web Sites” in Chapter 7 (pp. 169–174 of “Designing Documents and Web Sites”).

Peer Review for Project 3

Short Class Survey

Please complete the short survey about the third project while I’m getting set up and calling the roll. I want to gather some feedback on this project.

Today’s Peer Review Session

I asked you to spend some time before class today thinking about the questions that you want your group to think about as they read and comment on your draft. Today you will use those 3 or 4 specific questions to ask your group members to give you feedback on your work so far. Here are the steps we will follow:

  1. Write down your 3 or 4 questions so that your group members can refer to them. A good question would be “Do the verbs I used to describe my work experience seem strong enough? Would you change any of them?” A weak question would be something like “Does this look good?” or “Can you just tell me what you think?”
    • If you’re working in Google Docs, you can add your questions as comments.
    • If you’re working elsewhere, you might type them into Notepad, TextEdit, or something similar.
  2. Get into your groups and take turns showing what you have worked on and the questions that you have. Everyone in the group should review the work of all group members and offer constructive feedback. If you’re working with Google Docs, you can use the commenting feature. Otherwise, you can talk it out together. As you review one another’s job-application materials, be mindful of the most common resume mistakes, as outlined by VT Career Services.
  3. Once everyone in your group has received feedback, go to “Tests & Quizzes” in Scholar and complete Monday’s assignment, “04/07 Peer Review” by 5 PM on Tuesday, 04/08/2014. The in-class writing asks you to summarize the feedback you heard, give a shout-out to anyone who offered especially good suggestions, and share your plans for applying the feedback and completing the project.

Tip for LinkedIn Projects

For me to see your work on LinkedIn, I either need you to connect with me on LinkedIn or for you to make sure your privacy setting will let the public see your profile.

Homework

  • On Wednesday, 04/09, I will share some ideas based on what I see in your peer review and answer any questions.
  • On Friday, 04/11, the project is due, so you’ll work on finishing your project and on your reflection memo that day.
  • On Monday, 04/14, I will go over Project 4 and you’ll begin work on that project. For Project 4, you will work with your group to analyze some online resources and write a recommendation report. Your group will present your findings to the class in an oral presentation. The readings for this project will be Chapter 13 (“Writing Recommendation Reports”) and the section on “Designing Web Sites” in Chapter 7 (pp. 169–174 of “Designing Documents and Web Sites”).

Independent Work on Project 3

Today’s class is devoted to independent work. You may work on your project wherever you like, but be sure that you track your work and provide me evidence of the effort you put in.

Work You Will Do

We will not meet in the classroom, but you will put in at least 50 minutes of work on your project by 5 PM on Saturday. Effort counts on Project 3, so you want to demonstrate that you used your time wisely.

To report what you did, go to “Tests & Quizzes” in Scholar and complete Friday’s assignment, “04/04 Proof of Work” by 5 PM on Saturday, 4/5/2014. We discussed some ways to show your work, like those listed below:

  • If you’re composing a traditional cover letter and/or resume, you can give me a Share link to your Google Doc. I can use the File -> See revision history command to see what you worked on.
  • If you’re working on a site like LinkedIn, you might take a screenshot of your page before you begin working and give me the link to your LinkedIn so I can see the current version (after your work).
  • If you’re working on a site liked LinkedIn, you could also print a PDF version of your page before you begin working and then give me the current link. (To print a PDF, go the the pages and use the File -> Print command, and then change the printer to PDF. You can upload the PDF to your Google Drive.)

I will also ask you to summarize what you did so that I can see all the hard work you have put in.

Finding Me Friday

I will be in (or near) my office from 9:05 to noon and from 1:25 to 3:15. If you want to ask me questions, you can come by Shanks 214, send me an email during those hours, or use the online office chatroom. I will respond as soon as possible to any questions on Friday.

Homework

  • We’ll do in-class peer review on Monday, so be ready with your current draft to share with your group.
  • Spend some time before class on Monday thinking about the questions that you want your group to think about as they read and comment on your draft. Aim to have 3 or 4 specific questions. A good question would be “Do the verbs I used to describe my work experience seem strong enough? Would you change any of them?” A weak question would be something like “Does this look good?” or “Can you just tell me what you think?” I will ask you to tell me your questions as part of Monday’s in-class writing
  • Looking ahead, on Wednesday, I will share some ideas based on what I see in your peer review and answer any questions. The project is due on Friday, so we’ll work on the reflection memo in class that day.

Creating Criteria for Project 3

Today you decide on the deliverables for your projects. Remember that I want to see you deeply engaged in your work. Your grade depends as much on how you participate and work on this project as it does on whether you turn in all the work. We have several things to discuss/work on today:

  1. If you are a Professional Writing Major or Minor, be sure to look at the Awards for Professional Writing Majors & Minors (and submit your work if it’s relevant). The deadline is April 18.
  2. I have revised the grade scale so that it works in the Scholar gradebook.
  3. Talk about how we want to work for Friday’s session.
  4. Create a working list of deliverables for Project 3. Work in Google Docs as you compose your list so that you can revise and collaborate easily. Everyone will turn in a reflection memo with the other deliverables, so be sure to include it on your list.
  5. Spend some time in your groups sharing and revising your lists of deliverables for Project 3 together. Read one another’s lists to ensure that you include everything you need to on your lists. Use these questions as you read your lists:
    • Is everything listed?
    • Are the list items specific and accurate?
    • Does the list include enough information to demonstrate effort?
  6. Use the remaining time to work on your projects. There is a lot of work to accomplish, so spend your time wisely. If you have a question that you need my help with, you can write your name on the board or just come up to my desk. I’ll be giving you feedback on your recent in-class writings while you work.

In-Class Writing

Today, you need to post the tentative list of deliverables for Project 3, after reviewing them with your group members to make sure nothing is left out. Once you have your list complete, go to “Tests & Quizzes” in Scholar and complete today’s assignment, “04/02 P3 Criteria.” Just copy your list from Google Docs and paste it over to the In-Class Writing. Be sure to submit your work by Thursday, 04/03/2014 05:04:15 PM.

Homework

Do what you need to do for your project. Unless something comes up, you will have the full class session on Friday to work on your project.

I’m shifting the peer review session to next week (rather than this Friday) to give you more time to get your projects underway. Plan to have a working draft to share on Monday, April 7. It doesn’t have to be finished, but it should be enough that your group members can review it and give you some feedback.

Awards for Professional Writing Majors & Minors

Here are details on two awards (deadline: April 18) available for English majors and minors for work conducted in Professional Writing courses or internships:

  1. The Armstrong Family Foundation Award for Communication Design recognizes outstanding design in professional writing. The award is presented for work that demonstrates the ability to design information for a specific purpose and audience. It carries a cash prize of $200.
  2. The Robert Dedman, Jr. Award for Professional Writing recognizes outstanding work in professional writing that demonstrates the author’s ability to create effective texts that explain, instruct, or persuade for a specific audience and purpose. It carries a cash prize of $245.

Eligible submissions for these awards include any work created for a professional writing course or for the workplace (reports, websites, SOPs, posters, research papers, social media campaigns, posters. etc.). Find more information at http://www.undergraduate.english.vt.edu/awards/index.html

The submission deadline for both awards is April 18. Use the related cover sheet for the Armstrong Family Foundation Award for Communication Design and the
Robert Dedman, Jr. Award for Professional Writing
with your submission.