Make sure that you cite your sources appropriately both within the text and in a Works Cited page. Use a minimum of three outside sources to inform your paper (the maximum number of sources you should use is five).

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Welcome to our Paper Three Writing Prompt!

Last week’s writing task asked you to share a specific skill that you would like to develop mastery in. This week, you’ll write a paper that explains exactly how to become an expert at that particular skill! For instance, if your Writing Task was about becoming an expert Roller Derby player, your paper this week would explain exactly how to go about doing that.

This paper will require you to find a few outside sources to guide your writing. You should have a clear sense of the specific steps required to develop expertise with the skill you are focusing on, and you should look to experts in the field for guidance.

Structure

While our previous papers followed a five-paragraph essay structure, the structure of this paper will depend on the number of steps required to become an expert at your chosen skill. You may choose to group steps together, as long as they are related (for example, if your skill requires you to attend undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level courses, you can lump those steps together into one paragraph) or you can focus individual paragraphs on each individual step (for instance, if your paper focuses on baking the best chocolate chip cookies, you might devote individual paragraphs to each ingredient and each step of the baking process). The number of paragraphs you write depends on the number of steps it takes to become an expert at your chosen skill, as well as the choices you make as to whether or not you group similar steps.

You should include an introduction that contextualizes the paper for the reader. Consider explaining the value of becoming an expert at stand-up comedy or skateboarding. The introduction should include a main point (thesis) for your paper, which demonstrates that you are moving beyond a personal desire to master a skill and are able to recognize the inherent value of that skill. What will this skill help you do for others? How will it improve your life and the lives of those around you?

Body paragraphs will address the steps required to develop mastery or expertise. Each step should be clearly broken down and explained, using source material to offer detail and clarify concepts. Remember that this is an academic paper; you need to clearly explain the steps, offering context and detail for the reader. Do not just write a list of steps. 🙂

A final conclusion will explain why this skill is important to you. You can write about why you are interested in this particular skill; you should also identify role models and key figures who have influenced your interest.

This paper should be a minimum of three pages and a maximum of five pages. If you need to write more than five pages, please email me ahead of time to let me know. This page count does not include your Works Cited page.

Format

As always, papers should follow MLA format. Follow the MLA style specifications for font, spacing, text alignment, and content (review our MLA presentation if you are having trouble).

Make sure that you cite your sources appropriately both within the text and in a Works Cited page.

Use a minimum of three outside sources to inform your paper (the maximum number of sources you should use is five).

Submission Deadlines

Your third paper should be submitted by 8pm on Tuesday, July 28th. The final deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on July 28th.

Submit your work as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf.

This is your final assignment for English 1A. Review your work carefully before submitting. Submissions will receive a final grade, but not feedback.

Develop a 10–12-slide PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key concepts and salient points of the plan. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A2b.ppt.

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create a complete Communications Plan using the attached document company with an accompanying PowerPoint presentation for key stakeholder group(s). The Communications Plan should focus on a specific project or initiative to be implemented or event to be managed. The plan should describe the specific project to be implemented including the business problem or purpose, the specific objectives of the project, and the key stakeholder groups and their role in the initiative.

The Communications Plan for this initiative should include the following:

  • Goals and Objectives of the Communication Plan
  • Key Messages
  • Audience(s)
  • Media and Tools
  • Specific Tactics (describe the implementation)
  • Schedule/Timelines
  • Legal or ethical Issues
  • Monitoring/Control Strategy (during implementation)
  • Communications Strategy (to include communication of financial as well as ethical or value-based implications to various stakeholders)
  • Outcome Evaluation, including contribution to the mission of the organization

The following Web site can be used as a reference for the document to be created:

  • Bray, R. (2002). Spin works! Spin Academy. Retrieved from http://spinacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SPIN-Works.pdf

Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Complete this assignment in two parts:

  • Create an 8–10-page report in Word format covering the points mentioned above. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A2a.doc.
  • Develop a 10–12-slide PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key concepts and salient points of the plan. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A2b.ppt.

Identify the discipline issues to be addressed: attendance, performance, conduct, or a single broad category of non-performance.

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Signature Assighnment

This signature assignment is designed to align with specific program student learning outcomes in your program. Program Student Learning Outcomes are broad statements that describe what students should know and be able to do upon completion of their degree. The signature assignments may be graded with an automated rubric that allows the University to collect data that can be aggregated across a location or college/school and used for program improvements.

Resource: Avery Foster v. Federal Express Corp., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 53779 (E. Dist. Ct. MI)

The issue in the case is whether the company’s employment handbook created an implied contract. Avery Foster was terminated for falsifying an employee timecard. He argued that he was told in his initial interview that he would be guaranteed employment at Federal Express as long as he was a good worker and was protected from “just cause” termination. The court found there was good cause to terminate Avery Foster and that the handbook did not create an implied contract of guaranteed employment.

Progressive discipline is an employee disciplinary process that provides a graduated and measured range of responses to employee performance or conduct issues. Critical thinking consideration: Short of termination, could progressive discipline have been effective in this matter?

Given the circumstances and issues that arose in the Avery Foster case, create the following:

  • Design a Progressive Discipline Policy that would be appropriate for most organizations to follow, with consideration to the following measures:
    • Identify the discipline issues to be addressed: attendance, performance, conduct, or a single broad category of non-performance.
    • Determine whether or not the provisions of the policy should permit the company to modify and/or apply the policy in any manner it deems appropriate under the circumstances, including acceleration of steps, exclusion of steps, or repetition of steps.
    • Assess when a supervisor may act independently or needs to seek upper management approval.
    • Explain instructions on when to involve Human Resources.
    • Clarify the role of Human Resources to advise or approve disciplinary action.
    • Determine when a witness should be present.
    • Outline the different sequences and progressive levels of discipline that an employee can receive.
    • Develop rules regarding merit increases in relation to disciplinary action.

Write the policy in the third-person in no more than 1,400 words.

Useheadings that appropriately signal the steps and keep your policy organized.

Use a minimum of three different research resources, and identify all sources in your Reference page.

What three listening skills listed in the article do you feel are the most important to use in the IT field and why? (If you copy anything from the book be sure to use quotation marks.)

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All Assignments must be typed using Microsoft Word in MLA format. Must be at least two pages long and no more than three pages long. Be sure to check for sentence structure and misspelled words before turning in.  If you list information, use bullets or numbers to separate each one.

Please read the article below and state (based on information from Chapters 1 – 4, what we talked about in class, and your personal experience):

1) Why you think it is important to be an active listener when it comes to the IT field?

2) What three listening skills listed in the article do you feel are the most important to use in the IT field and why? (If you copy anything from the book be sure to use quotation marks.)

3) Personal characteristics of a successful troubleshooter is listed in Chapter 4. What are the four listed and how do you think any of them (pick one) will help in the active listening process.

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Amazing People – Active Listening: A Guide

We are taught how to read and write, but not how to listen. We can enhance our relationships with others through effective listening. Here are 20 things you can do to enhance your listening skills

Leave your own concerns to one side.

You can’t focus on somebody else if you are also thinking about your problems, to do list or concerns. This leads onto

Allow yourself sufficient time.

If you have to dash off to a meeting, you will want to go at a quicker pace to suit you, not the person who you are listening to.

Talk less than you listen.

We have two ears and one mouth, so have your communication in the same proportion.

Use eye contact.

It is hard for someone to continue to talk with someone who is not looking at them.

Show some non-verbal behavior.

Make use of nods of the heads and uh-hums etc. All of these encourage the other person to say more. But don’t just use them ad hoc when you are not really listening. It devalues them.

Demonstrate rapport.

When you are truly listening and interested in the other person your body language will be congruent. There is a matching of posture, tone of voice etc. You can help by leaning forward in your chair, or by tilting your head to the side.

Summarize what the person has said

So they know you have heard them. This can be a good way to move the person for-ward. This is reflecting back content.

Reflect back feeling

Do you get a feeling that the person is sad, angry, etc.? Let them know. “You sound a bit sad to me?”

Don’t pretend

If your attention has wandered, be honest. Ask the person to repeat what they have said, rather than to guess. Your honesty will be appreciated.

Be patient

Sometimes people will be muddled, or verbose. You can help them to tell their story, but don’t rush them at apace too quick for them.

Avoid “Me too” comments

If you are paying attention to the other person and wanting to help them, avoid discussing how it affects you. Think! Will this help the other person? If not, leave it to another time. You risk hijacking the conversation.

Don’t get defensive

If you are being given some feedback, listen to what the person is saying. Don’t interrupt with reasons untilyou are very clear what the person is saying. They may have some helpful comments to make that you will miss if you interrupt their flow.

Don’t formulate a response until the other person has finished speaking.

You will miss out on some of the things they say.

If there is a silence, don’t rush to fill it.

Wait twice as long as feels comfortable for you. Give the other person time to think.

Put yourself in their shoes.

Don’t criticize or give advice, don’t rush to fix it. See the issue from their perspective.

Be aware of your prejudices.

Are there certain words (vulgar language) or people (background) that “get under your skin”? Think about what you can do to be less judge-mental. Perhaps you could say that for the next 20 minutes you will concentrate on them and let e.g. their views on immigrants wash over you.

If you are listening to someone via a telephone you need to try even harder to demonstrate active listening skills

Make sure you are not typing, turning pages of a magazine, shuffling papers etc. All these things demonstrate that you are only half listening.

Eliminate external distraction.

If you are in a location, which is hot, cold, noisy or uncomfortable, look to move to a different place. You can’t concentrate if you are in a situation, which demands a lot of your attention.

Seek feedback on your own performance

You can improve your skills in this area through getting feedback from other people. Ask people to tell you if they felt heard. Seek out ways you can improve. It will not only be helpful with that person next time, but also when you are actively listening to other people.

Pay attention to other people’s listening skills.

Notice in what ways other people make you feel listened to, and those people who don’t. It will help you to choose how you can develop further.

Brought to you by Denise Taylor, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Director of Amazing People. Denise is a careers expert who specializes in helping individuals achieve career satisfaction and to take systematic approach to job search. To receive regular tips, direct to your inbox each month, sign up at amazingpeople-50638@autocontactor.com

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