ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research

Jamie Larsen, Instructor

Assignment 1 - Investigative Report

The Communication Situation: This assignment involves research and gathering of information that you will need to complete Assignment 2 - Application Letter and Resume. For this assignment, you must find information about a target company to receive your job letter and resume. This information will help you to understand your specific audience's perspective. Most importantly, you want to know if a company provides an environment that is conducive to your goals, and personality. Read the notes on Corporate Culture to begin thinking about the type of company you would find interesting and challenging.

The Assignment: Write a one to three page short report in memo format. Use the proper memo format, however, you can be creative about how you format the body of the report. You should address the report to me and ensure that you provide enough information so that I have the facts to understand the type of company that you are targeting. You should also contextualize this information with a summary of why you have chosen this company and why you think you could fit in to its corporate culture. Remember, I want to use this information to help you write a reader-centered application letter.

All sources of information should be cited. Any personal interviews or phone calls should also be noted. If you do conduct a personal interview, you should consider writing a short letter, or email, of appreciation. This is the professional thing to do.

Formatting Details: Use a standard memo heading, single-spaced text. State the problem and indicate the major contribution your findings provide in problem/purpose statement format. Identify all sources of information used in the report. Submit your informal report memo according to the instructions on the website.

Helpful Hints: There are various sources of information about companies. Here are a few that may be of help:

List of Companies, Professional Organizations & Search Terms - The List of Companies, Professional Organizations & Search Terms is divided by majors.

Reference Database (Bibliographic) - ABI/INFORM - Contains citations with abstracts to journal literature in the areas of business and management. NOTE: This link takes you to the databases available through the NC State Library. Click on "A" for "If you know the name of the database..." and ABI/INFORM is at the top of the list. I recommend that you scroll down to see what other research sources are available to you for free as a student at NCSU.

Source Database - SEC Online - Contains statistics that companies are required to file with the SEC (e.g., income, employees, etc.)

Source Database - Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys - Contains information about major industrial groups and information about specific companies.

America's Corporate Families. Dun's Marketing Services, Inc. Parsippany, NJ: Dun and Bradstreet Corporation. - Contains information about U.S. companies and international affiliates.

Moody's Manuals. New York: Moody's Investor's Service, Inc. (Dun & Bradstreet). - Contains extensive company information in one place. A good source for company history information.

Evaluation Criteria for Assignment 1

1. REPORT HEADING - The heading should provide sufficient information for readers to understand the organizational roles and relationships of the source (writer) and readers. Follow standard memo formatting and pay particular attention to write a salient subject line.
2. PROBLEM/PURPOSE STATEMENT - The opening paragraph should identify the specific issue or organizational concern (problem) and consequent investigation. It should state explicitly the writer's purpose and how the report is to be used by its reader(s).
3. SUMMARY - The second paragraph should synthesize the information that you have found, and put into context the facts by relating them to your interests and aspirations. This paragraph is your discussion in a nutshell and should forecast the coming discussion to guide the reader to the information that he or she wants.
4. DISCUSSION - The discussion component should supply factual information. The information should be organized into some logical format. Format of the report must be complete including consistent page numbering.
5. OVERALL - Your final grade will include consideration of neatness, correctness, creativity, research effort, and professionalism. Consider the impression that you want to make on a new manager with a first assignment.