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Use a cover sheet with your name, course
name, instructor's name and the title of your paper.
The next sheet should be the Audience
Analysis.
Audience Analysis (example)
The subject matter discussed in this
article is intended for an audience that fits the following profile:
Age - use these categories as subheading and then provide the
information hanging indent paragraph form like this. Be sure to double space.
Gender - or you can provide the information, still using the category
(in this case "Gender") as a subhead, but block the text as in this
example, bolding the category to make it stand out from the blocked text.
Interest in your subject - the less
interested they are in your subject the more you are going to have to
demonstrate WIIFM (What's in it for me?)
Awareness of your subject - How deep or broad is their knowledge
Level of technical expertise about your subject -
Reading ability (reading level, English as primary language) -
Remember most people prefer to read down (i.e., at a reading level below
their education) because it is easier
Education - Formal education as well as special training, experience
or knowledge about your subject
Information they specifically want to know about your subject - Think
about the who, what, when, where, why and how of your subject and what would
be most meaningful to your audience.
Things they already know and wouldn't want to read again - If you are
writing for experts or people with some knowledge of your subject you don't
want to waste their time with basic information.
On a new page start your actual paper:
Title
Written text goes here. You should use proper paragraphing to introduce your
subject and the major sections. This introductory sections
should be no more than 1-3 well-crafted paragraphs. Be sure to double-space.
This component of your Notebook Assignment will be evaluated on the use of
good writing principles.
Note that you should indent the
first word of your paragraph. I'm not doing it here because I can't do it
with my rudimentary HTML skills.
Good writing principles
All papers are expected to adhere to proper rules of grammar and punctuation.
In addition, I will be looking for your understanding of the five keys to
effective writing presented in this class. These include:
1. Put the readers first
2. Use simple words and short sentences
3. Avoid jargon except when necessary
4. Write with verbs and nouns
5. Format to improve readability
This last principle-formatting-will be
particularly critical in this class and deserves further clarification.
Strong formatting
While I don't want to see everything presented in a bulleted list, do remember to break up large chunks of text. Use
bullets, numbered lists, tables, charts, bolds, italics, indents, sidebars
and other formatting devices to break up the information so that the reader
can easily scan it. Do not overuse these devices for their own sake. Rather,
try to organize your information so that they naturally lend themselves to
easy organization.
Even when
your text may not suitable for breaking into lists and charts, you can use
"signpost words" that help the reader understand where he or she is
in your narrative. For example, if you stated that you want to list five
things that you like about jazz, it would make sense to introduce each point
by saying, "The first thing I like about jazz is X . . . The second
thing I like about jazz is Y . . . etc." Signpost words can also be used
to make transitions or deviations clear. Some signpost words might be:
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- As a result
- Similarly
- In contrast to
- On the other hand
- More importantly.
There are too many signpost words to list here, but the idea is to make sure
your text flow from idea to idea and that the reader understands this flow.
Conclusion
Be sure to include an conclusion that summarizes or
restates your article and the various sections that comprise it.
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