Anthrax Case Research

Compare the Anthrax technical information offered at the three major sites below. Where does the information seem most credible? Where is it the most complete and detailed? Where is it the easiest to navigate and read? Write a detailed analysis report comparing the information at the three different sites.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials>Biomedical

Conduct an Analysis of Your Professional Language and Culture

Take any combination of the projects below and use them to generate data for a comprehensive report on the Language and Culture of your field. You will find one sample of such a document in the Models and Templates section of the web site. Study it closely, as it is a strong example of how such a report can be written.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education. Academic>Course Materials>Professionalism

Culturally Sensitive Community Service

A group in your class has decided to help a local homeless shelter get some computers to assist people in their job searches. Now you must approach several local charities and businesses and ask for money for the project. Begin by compiling an audience profile (see page 32) on the student body. Then write a PowerPoint proposal that persuades the audience to support your project. Deliver it to your classmates as a stand-in audience. Make sure you state the need clearly, address issues of mutual concern, support any claims with evidence, and avoid violating any constraints.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials

Ethics in Technical Communication: Copyleft and the Open Source Movement

A collection of resources about open-source software, innovation in copyright, and their implications for technical communicators.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education. Resources>Intellectual Property>Ethics>Open Source

Global Communication

Your company manufactures 'dress' sneakers—fancy athletic footwear that is designed as 'business' rather than 'athletic' apparel. Because of increasingly informal corporate attire policies, your company has experienced phenomenal success, and now wishes to expand internationally. But where first?

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials>International

Learn Logic

Divide the fallacies listed equally among group members. Members must write a page on each of their assigned fallacies, explaining them clearly and providing at least five examples. Each site provides some examples already; you may use three examples from the site, but must find at least two examples from everyday usage. You may look in newspapers, on TV, or on other Web sites that do not deal with logical fallacies. Take turns reading each report to your group.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials>Rhetoric

Remember Enron and Andersen!

You work for a mid-sized company that has about 700 employees. It is Wednesday afternoon. You learn from a reliable source that your company has just been bought out, but the public announcement will not be made until Friday afternoon. The company’s stock is currently selling at $15 per share. It will certainly jump to $20 within hours of the announcement. You and your spouse have been saving over the past year to buy a house, and have a sizable nest egg of nearly $20,000 in the bank. Your company already has over 20 million shares of its stock outstanding, and tens of thousands of shares are traded every day. No one is likely to notice if an employee were to buy 1000 shares. What do you do? Explain your actions and reasons in writing.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials>Ethics

Start a Simulated Consulting Firm

Your group of three to four students plans to start a technical communications consulting agency. Each of you should read one of the articles found under the heading 'Getting Started in the Profession' and 'Professional Associations' (in the Web Destinations section). Take and compare notes, then collaboratively write a two to three page proposal aimed at securing a business start-up loan from your local bank. Make sure you address your business's goals, marketing strategies, and services offered. All of this information should be based on your readings. To look at some short model proposals, go to the Models and Templates section of this Web site.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education. Academic>Course Materials>Consulting

What is Fair Maternity Leave?

Your division’s new manager, a woman, believes that your company’s policy regarding maternity leave is inadequate, even though the previous manager claimed it met federal minimum requirements. She designates you and 3-4 others to investigate the issue. Discover what minimum federal requirements (if any) are in place and what standards are common among other companies in your chosen industry. Designate responsibility evenly among group members and discuss your findings. Your instructor may have you compile the results as a report.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education (2003). Academic>Course Materials>Management>Workplace