Writing Homework Help

REPORT PROPOSAL MEMO ASSIGNMENT 

This assignment asks you to write a memo seeking your instructor’s approval for the
report you’re going to write. This is the work plan for your report, not the actual report.
Don’t confuse the two assignments; they aren’t the same.
Choosing a Report Topic
A short memo report like you’ll be submitting for your final project typically answers a
question or solves a problem. Any question you can imagine an audience needing an
answer for or problem you see that needs to be solved could possibly become a report
topic. Just remember your report topic would need to do the following:
? Answer a question or solve a problem for an audience. So a question like what
should I eat for breakfast would only be relevant to you. A question like what the
best breakfast food for body builders is has an audience (bodybuilders) that would
want that question answered. That doesn’t mean that the question or problem
can’t be relevant for you as well. Actually, it’s a lot more fun if you choose a
topic that is something you’d would also like the answer for. Hobbies and
personal interests that you might want to research often become great starting
places. For instance, I may be thinking about setting up a tropical fish aquarium in
my home but have no idea where to start. I might, therefore, use the report as a
how to guide for myself as well as other readers likewise considering setting up a
tank.
? Back up its findings with fact-based research. Like academic papers, a business
report backs it findings with fact- based research. It doesn’t have to be academic
or peer reviewed articles, but is should be from a credible source that isn’t just
giving opinion.
? Lend itself to non-text supplements. The report requires two non- text
supplements (graphs, charts, tables, pictures etcetera). Not all topics have these
readily available. So look for a question or a problem that would benefit from
something like this. For instance, I might write a report on how to avoid being
taken in by frauds when buying sports memorabilia. I could then include visuals
that would show my readers what to look for in authentic merchandise.
? Not be too broad. Since this is a short report—3 to 5 single spaced pages without
the visuals—it can’t be taking on too much. For instance, a report trying to
explain why there is so much political unrest in the Middle East would have to be
thousands of pages long to adequately answer the question. Make it a question or
problem that can be addressed in depth in just a few pages. A question like what
kind of diet is most healthy for a pet cat could probably be addressed pretty well
in that page length. There could be a graph showing calories or ingredients, and
you could find fact-based evidence to support your conclusions.
Putting Together Work-Plan (Proposal Assignment)
The proposal is a memo including the work-plan for your upcoming report that you will 

Report Proposal 2 | P a g e June 18, 2019
submit to me before starting the report. Include the following six sections in this order:
1. Statement of Problem: What is the problem your report will seek solutions for or
what is the question it intends to answer. Why does it need to be answered or
solved? What is its significance?
2. Statement of Purpose: What is the report’s goal?  What do you hope this report
will do for its readers?
3. Audience: Who do you envision as your audience or audiences for your report?
Who will benefit from this information?
4. Numeric Outline: Use the alphanumeric outline to list the main sections and their
subsections. Think of these listed points in terms of headings that you may
eventually for these sections in the report. (Textbook 143-144)
5. Work Schedule: Present a schedule of tasks you hope to complete by the
assigned dates. Break it into two columns. (See the example on page 348)
6. Sources: Provide at least three sources in an attached works cited sheet, using the
MLA system for documentation to list them. (Appendix C pages 1-3)
Refer to the relevant textbook selections below:
? Listing/outlining: pages 143-144
? Graphic highlighting: pages 170-172
? Formatting hard-copy memos: page 226
? Preparing a work plan: pages 347-349
? Subsequent page headings: Appendix B pages 6
? MLA documentation: Appendix C pages 1-3
Provide around two pages of detailed, specific information. Think of this document as
your attempt to persuade your reader that this report needs to be written and will be an
effective document as illustrated by your work-plan.
Sample Report Proposal
Included in the Assignments folder for Week 3 is a student sample proposal. I have
inserted some advice for the proposal in textbooks and aside comments. Remember,
student samples are not a template to mindlessly follow. They aren’t perfect and often
have grammar problems, wordiness, and other issues. The one I included, however, has
perfect formatting, so you can trust that aspect of it. It is about the right length, and it
includes all the necessary sections in the correct order. It uses the proper outline format
with the correct indentation.
Here are some of the things to double check for in your final draft:
? The guide words should be in boldface type.
? Responses to the memo guide words should be aligned one space right of the
subject line.

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? There should be one blank space between the memo guide words.
? A specific subject line is expected, not just “report proposal.”
? The subject line should make it clear what you are doing: “PROPOSING A
REPORT ON….”—something like this.
? Headings for each section should be in bold face type and properly capitalized.
? There should be one blank space before and after headings.
? The alphanumeric outline format should be followed, including the proper
indenting of each point and sub points, and the points should be concise and
specific. The model on 348 gives a good example of an alphanumeric outline and
the format is shown on 226.
? The works schedule should be in parallel form and the dates should all be
aligned—again consult the model on 348 for a nice-looking example of a work-
schedule.
? Open each section directly, making certain your clearest statement of your
purpose, problem, and audience is the first line of each of those sections.