Business writing

TO: Writing for Business Student
FROM: Professor Candace M. Carbone
DATE: April 20, 2022
SUBJECT: RESEARCHING A COMPANY FOR WRITTEN AND ORAL REPORT
Choose a company that you would like to investigate for future employment opportunities. You
will complete research on this company and present your findings in the form of a three-page
informational report as well as an oral presentation to the class. In the introductory paragraph,
supply the company name and why you chose to research this company. Do not use a side
heading for the introductory paragraph. Five points will be deducted if you do not have an
introductory paragraph.
Sources. You must use at least three (3) sources in researching your company. These sources
can include but are not limited to the Internet, magazines, on-line services, and periodicals. You
will utilize the latest APA edition for documenting your sources. Ten points deducted if you do
not use APA formatting. You will include a reference page at the end of your report. Five points
will be deducted if you do not have three sources on your reference page, and ten points will be
deducted if you do not have a reference page.
Content. Your report should present the following findings to the best of your ability AND
represented as side headings in your report (five points will be deducted if you do not have side
headings):
• Location of office and other facilities
• Major products and services
• Names of members of the board of directors and key executives (top three)
• Brief history of the company
• Annual sales (most recent figures)
• Market share
• Financial rating
• Reputation of the company
• Entry-level salaries or salary scale
• Benefits and special programs offered employees
Writing for Business Student
Page 2
April 20, 2022
All reports have a summary or conclusion paragraph. Do not use a side heading for the final
paragraph. Nothing new is introduced in a summary paragraph. In conclusion, if your final
paragraph is not there, five points will be deducted!
Appearance. Please be sure that the print quality is sufficiently dark to be easily read. Use a 12-
point font. Use the memo format (like this memo) for a short informational report. Organize
the fact sections into logical divisions identified by consistent headings. Five points deducted if
you do not have side headings. Add a second-page and third-page heading (either the one
above with my name in place of Writing for Business Student or set up as the one in your text
like FIGURE A.2 found in appendix A-5). Five points will be deducted if you do not have a
second-page heading.
Grading. Your written report will be graded for completeness, content, and technicalities
(English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and margins). One point will be
deducted for each English usage error of this type. I do not deduct for the same error
throughout the report. Two points will be deducted for each formatting error. If it is not set up
in the memo format as requested, ten points will automatically be deducted. This is not an
academic essay type report! It is extremely important that you proofread your report
carefully. Reports that have numerous errors will NOT receive a satisfactory grade no matter
how thorough the research.
Submission. Reports must be submitted on the date provided in the outline. Written research
report is worth 20 percent of the final grade.
Oral Presentation. You will present your findings of the company you researched to the class for
five minutes only. You will need to have a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation because you will
NOT be reading from note cards or your report! You will present the information from a
“company recruiter” frame of mind. This presentation is worth 5 percent of the final grade.
You can only present on your assigned date. If you do not present on that date, you will receive
a zero. You will be allowed an outline to follow during your presentation.
GENERAL EDUCATION ABILITY
Oral Communication: Students will be prepared to develop oral messages of varying lengths
and styles that communicate effectively and appropriately across a variety of settings.
COURSE OUTCOMES
1. Research and write a business report utilizing the library, the internet,
informational interview, and other appropriate sources.
2. Prepare and deliver an oral presentation of the research.