Q What is it: A report for decision making (or what is sometimes called a recommendation report). Your report will aid a reader in solving a problem by presenting the results of research and your evaluation of the significance of the findings. The recommendations will suggest specific actions to solve the problem. Your research methods will probably include library (or secondary) research, but since the problem is particular to a time and place, you might also conduct research by “primary” means of information gathering. The report will highlight criteria for decision making in its structure. Purpose: Your report will answer the following question: • Is X or Y better for a specific purpose? (comparative analysis) Please review this Recommendation Report Sample Assignment Instructions Tasks: Your recommendation report should address the following scenario/prompt: • Your company (you determine the type of company and what it does) needs to build a headquarters somewhere in the world. As has been discussed in this module, the economics of the world and the international market make the world "flatter" than ever before. As such, you have many options open and available to you for where to locate your business' headquarters. For this assignment, you will take the three countries you researched for your discussion prompt and turn that information into a recommendation report to argue where the headquarters should be located and provide valid reasoning as to why that is the case. Format and Length: Your report will include the following elements: • title page with descriptive abstract • table of contents • list of visuals (if you have more than two) • glossary (if necessary) • executive summary • introduction • discussion section organized according to criteria for decision making • conclusions, recommendations • appropriate documentation, in proper APA format • Number pages, use a running header, and use headings in the report text Length: The body of the report, including introduction and conclusions, will probably run about 4-7 double-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman type. The preliminary and supplemental pages will be additional. Evaluation criteria I will evaluate the reports according to these expectations: The executive summary reflects the entire report concisely. Introduction, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are covered. Significant factual information is present. Sentences are efficient, and the summary does not exceed one page. The introduction states a problem (with who-what-when-where-why-so what information), identifies a research question, explains methods, and forecasts the rest of the report. The body section reflect criteria for decision-making. Headings are parallel. Each body section is a mini report, with an introduction, findings, and conclusion. The introduction defines the issue and explains its significance. The findings report what you have discovered through research. The "conclusion" (just on that issue) tries to define the significance of the findings for the research question and to reconcile any conflicts. The conclusion section for the entire report weighs the results from all the criteria and answers the research question. All the criteria should be accounted for. The conclusion does not introduce any new criteria. The section includes interpretive (not just factual) statements: words like “more important because...” or “a more immediate need” or “long term benefits outweigh short-term costs.” You put the findings for each criteria in relation to one another. You justify and explain your answer to the research question. The conclusion answers the research question: An explicit statement will say something like “A is the better choice” or “X is not feasible at this time.” The recommendations direct specific action (without explanation or justification). The recommendations may (but do not have to be) in list form. If there is a list, the verbs may be “command” verbs (imperative mood). Items in the list are in parallel form. All the report parts are present (title, table of contents, executive summary, report, illustrations, references etc.). Illustrations support the argument (they highlight important information that would be harder to understand with words alone) and they are constructed and labeled according to conventions. Format reveals the structure. Headings show main divisions. A running head and page numbers help readers find their place. Preliminary pages are numbered with roman numerals. Sentence style emphasizes strong verbs. Grammar and mechanics are correct. References are complete and accurate. The citation style is the one used by the writer’s discipline (e.g., APA for social science and business, reference notes for engineering, MLA for literature, Chicago-author/date for technical writing). AND, finally: The problem is significant, research is good, reasoning is sound. The report is convincing and important. View Rubric GEB3213 Assignment Rubric GEB3213 Assignment Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts Rhetorical Situation view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing engages the correct audience, purpose, and genre for the assignment. It does so through a thoughtful analysis of the prompt and creates an expected document that conforms to genre conventions in style. 21 pts Accomplished The writing engages the correct genre, purpose, and audience. Document only conforms to most of the genre expectations. 17 pts Developing The writing is in the correct genre, but audience or purpose may be incorrect at the outset or fluctuate during the written text. Document conforms to some genre expectations, but not a majority of them. 10 pts Beginning The writing fails to meet the minimum requirements of the assignment. It does not engage the prompt through the correct genre, audience, or purpose. The document produced does not conform to genre expectations. / 25 pts Organization view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing flows smoothly and logically. It contains the appropriate organizational style for the assignment and shows evidence of consideration for the audience beyond expectations for level of course. 21 pts Accomplished The writing is organized logically and flows well. The organizational style may shift once in the assignment but the attempt to adhere to one style is clearly identified. Section headings are utilized when appropriate. 17 pts Developing The writing demonstrates some attempts at organization but is not consistent and needed to be revised before submission to adhere to prompt guidelines. Some section headings may be present when appropriate. 10 pts Beginning The writing is noticeably lacking in organization. Paragraphing and/or header sections may not be appropriate. / 25 pts Style view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing engages the reader through a prose style appropriate to the assignment. Language is precise. Conforms to the 7 Cs and proper APA style for format and citation (internal and final). 21 pts Accomplished The writing keeps the reader’s attention through a carefully crafted prose style. Language chosen is appropriate to the subject but may need further work on one or two of the 7 Cs. Often conforms to APA format and citation but may have some errors in either. 17 pts Developing The writing is clear but could be expressed in a style more appropriate to the subject. Some specific terms are not explained when necessary. Needs additional work on more than three of the 7 Cs. Adheres to some APA format and citation rules, but the citations and/or format may be incorrect more often than correct. 10 pts Beginning The writing lacks clarity and is sometimes confusing. The language chosen is not appropriate to the subject nor the assignment. Needs additional work in nearly all categories of the 7 Cs of communication as defined in the course. No evidence of attempt at engaging APA format or citation in the document. / 25 pts Mechanics view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing contains sentences that are nearly always complete and grammatically correct, and free of confusion and ambiguity. 21 pts Accomplished The writing contains sentences that are incomplete, or which imply unstated connections and/or conclusions. The writing may exhibit a few patterns of error, but understanding is not impeded. 17 pts Developing The writing contains some patterns of error, but the reader can understand the meaning of the sentence with some effort. There is some evidence of proofreading, editing, or rewriting. 10 pts Beginning The writing contains multiple patterns of error, and the reader cannot understand the meaning of the sentence. There is no evidence of proofreading, editing, or rewriting. / 25 pts Total Points: 0