Research Report Assignment Sheet PowerPoint with text equivalent of 7 pages, 20% (“messy draft” text to be turned turned in by all students) Instructor:_______ Goal: Write an informational research report (not a persuasive one—it will not contain “recommendations”) from at least 7 substantial sources using PowerPoint to create a multimodal version (version that employs more than text to communicate its ideas e.g. images, graphs, font colors, etc.). Topic: Chose any topic related to business about which you are interested in knowing more. [Note: do NOT use any topic you have used in another class project without my permission! For this assignment, you need to learn how to find information on topics, not reproduce a case study or other paper.] Process: 1. Once you have a topic, contemplate its potential business implications then create a scenario that includes an audience (a hypothetical boss) who would be interested in your topic and imagine a purpose (make up who and why they would ask you to write an informational report— what is the business problem or opportunity that your boss needs information on in order to respond. This information will handed in with your assignment via BB and will appear on your title slide) 2. Draft the reportin Word with this audience in mind (consider questions related to purpose and audience, such as how much background your boss might need, what kind of language and tone you should use, how formal if your business discourse, whether you should define certain terms for this boss, etc.) However, don’t spend a lot of time on wording or formatting at this stage—e.g. don’t worry about sentence structure, word choices, formatting, etc and take advantage of bullets, outlines, notes, copy/pasting from other documents etc. (with the latter, make sure you include a link to give credit where credit is due and so that you don’t lose track of the source when you need to cite it in the final report). You will submit this draft to BB with your multimodal version, however, the messy draft will not be graded. Because you are grappling with new the challenges posed by new modalities, you are at risk for cognitive overload, where the basics suffer as you reach beyond your usual experiences. Given this, it is important to craft the main messages and plan the organization before getting into the process of employing other modalities. Your messy draft will serve as evidence that you thought carefully about the content of the report before you composed the multimodal version. You MUST write a draft before you compose the multimodal version. 3. Transpose the report to PowerPoint by creating pages that effectively employ the multimodal devices available through this software (e.g. fonts, color, text, the integration of images or video, use of bullets and headings to organize information, links to other sites, etc.). Remember: this is NOT a presentation to a live audience; it’s a research report only! You will never present t ...

1. Research Report Assignment Sheet
PowerPoint with text equivalent of 7 pages, 20%
(“messy draft” text to be turned turned in by all students)
Instructor:_______
Goal: Write an informational research report (not a persuasive
one—it will not contain “recommendations”) from at least 7
substantial sources using PowerPoint to create a multimodal
version (version that employs more than text to communicate its
ideas e.g. images, graphs, font colors, etc.).
Topic: Chose any topic related to business about which you are
interested in knowing more. [Note: do NOT use any topic you
have used in another class project without my permission! For
this assignment, you need to learn how to find information on
topics, not reproduce a case study or other paper.]
Process:
1. Once you have a topic, contemplate its potential business
implications then create a scenario that includes an audience (a
hypothetical boss) who would be interested in your topic and
imagine a purpose (make up who and why they would ask you to
write an informational report— what is the business problem or
opportunity that your boss needs information on in order to
respond. This information will handed in with your assignment
via BB and will appear on your title slide)
2. Draft the reportin Word with this audience in mind (consider
questions related to purpose and audience, such as how much
background your boss might need, what kind of language and
tone you should use, how formal if your business discourse,
whether you should define certain terms for this boss, etc.)
However, don’t spend a lot of time on wording or formatting at

2. this stage—e.g. don’t worry about sentence structure, word
choices, formatting, etc and take advantage of bullets, outlines,
notes, copy/pasting from other documents etc. (with the latter,
make sure you include a link to give credit where credit is due
and so that you don’t lose track of the source when you need to
cite it in the final report). You will submit this draft to BB with
your multimodal version, however, the messy draft will not be
graded. Because you are grappling with new the challenges
posed by new modalities, you are at risk for cognitive overload,
where the basics suffer as you reach beyond your usual
experiences. Given this, it is important to craft the main
messages and plan the organization before getting into the
process of employing other modalities. Your messy draft will
serve as evidence that you thought carefully about the content
of the report before you composed the multimodal version. You
MUST write a draft before you compose the multimodal
version.
3. Transpose the report to PowerPoint by creating pages that
effectively employ the multimodal devices available through
this software (e.g. fonts, color, text, the integration of images or
video, use of bullets and headings to organize information, links
to other sites, etc.). Remember: this is NOT a presentation to a
live audience; it’s a research report only! You will never
present this, but will ONLY turn it in.
Tips:
1. Like any good report, include an introduction, a body, and a
conclusion.
a. The introduction should provide a thesis and a forecast (e.g.
Tesla is poised to change the market for electric cars [thesis]
because they _____, consumers _____, and the manufacturing is
______. [forecast/”preview”]) Keep in mind that the elegant
rule of three for the forecast/subarguments is often a great way
to structure academic assignments and other documents, but
sometimes it doesn’t fit what you need to cover in a document
in the real world!

3. TIP: Come up with a thesis (main argument/point you want to
make) then come up with the forecast (main subarguments you
want to make-- they often follow the word "because").
For example, the student who wanted to do research on Tesla
decided that the reasons Tesla is changing the market for
electric cars [his thesis] are because 1. there are no other
electric sports cars on the market 2. the car's performance is
exceptional and 3. the car's other features are technologically
innovative/advanced." So now he has THREE major sections for
his report, each one dedicated to one of the subarguments in the
forecast. If you want to send yours by me, it can be really
helpful.
b. The body should use headings heavily, as they function like
topical sentences. You will still need to use transitions to help
your reader understand how the information hangs together. E.g.
with the Tesla report, Tesla breaks into the ___ market! works
as a heading that functions as a way to signal to the reader that
now the discussion will be about (will change or transition into)
subargument #2.
c. Also include a conclusion that recaps your thesis and main
argument (bullets are great here). Don’t forget to leave your
reader with something to ponder (so they can integrate this new
information into what they already know) or circle back to
something engaging from the introduction (so they feel a sense
of closure).
2. Include the following slides:
a. Title Slide (with your name and a short description of who
the report is for and why you are writing it. E.g. Tesla, Wave of
the Future. A Report for New Products Division at Acme

4. Innovations by Joe Smith. November 22, 2014)
b. Table of Contents Slide (with titles of slides and their slide
number)
c. Executive Summary Slide (with the major points of your
report clearly and succinctly presented)
d. References Slide (include at least 7 substantial references)
3. Guidelines for Formatting a Multimodal Report:
a. Use detailed, explanatory text that allows your research
report to stand alone; check that you have enough evidence to
prove your message. (As in any piece of writing, use evidence
to assert your claims. E.g. anecdotes, statistics, facts, quotes
from experts, convincing images, etc. Be sure to use APA
citation format.)
b. Use business fonts, sizes 11-16 (All text, other than headings,
should be in 11-12 point font. Remember, your reader will be
close to the screen, not sitting in a large room as part of a large
audience)
c. Use bullets instead of paragraphs when information can be
listed; check for parallel phrasing/syntax within lists, and check
for proper alignment under bullets. However, do NOT use
bullets for discussion; never place a single bullet on the page,
as one item does not make a LIST.
d. Main points may be reinforced on each page in summative,
eye-catching text or images that capture the idea.
e. Chose background and font colors carefully. A white
background improves readability; check contrast by printing in
both color and black and white. (You can experiment with
alternative colors for this assignment, but consider that color
has elements of both appropriateness and effectiveness in any
document.)
f. Consider “talking headings” to describe the main point in full
sentences that employ sentence capitalization rules. When read
in sequence across the report, these talking headings convey a
cohesive argument (e.g. Tesla may have the technological
advantage, but do they have the market?).

5. g. Critical: use transition sentences BEFORE headings to give
readers a heads up on the new direction the discussion is taking.
h. More critical:use topic sentences AFTER headings to
introduce chunks of argument. Topic sentences set context by
introducing/summarizing the point you are getting ready to
discuss— they function like forecasts to keep a reader’s head in
the game. [Yes, you will announce a new topic 3 times!]
i. Even MORE critical: before all bulleted lists, provide an
explanation that sets the context. Do NOT leave a list of items
“widowed” in your report. This is NOT an oral presentation;
you won’t be there to explain the significance/relevance of the
list. Conventions for reports require that bulleted points are
introduced and their significance is explained.
j. Use amix of text and visuals (e.g. fonts, bullets, spacing,
images, graphics etc.) on every page, and use them consistently.
Make sure the graphics you chose are relevant (e.g. don’t use
photos just for visual appeal but as evidence or as examples of
what you are asserting in the text). Be sure to refer to the
visuals in the text, as these need to be meaningfully connected.
k. Avoid an overly informal journalistic or conversational
style—it’s a fine line, as conventions in tone are always
changing. Get a second opinion about how conversational you
can be in your organizational context and err on the formal side,
when in doubt.
l. Number all pages (except for the title page).
Rubric, Business Improvement Proposal
Traits
Very Strong
Strong
Weak
Function
(e.g. uses formal business discourse related to the industry in
which the business operates; demonstrates focus of purpose in a

6. thesis designed to inform a specific audience/reader; presents
relevant information effectively and appropriately by employing
graphical tools, such as headings, bullets, etc.
Clear sense of audience and purpose evident in word choices; in
focused, bounded content, and in choice of substantive, value-
added information rather than common knowledge.
Audience and purpose are present but could be stronger
Audience and purpose are less clear, and weak parts remain
Form
& content
(e.g. report includes sections that are identified by headings,
banners, bullets, font sizes, etc. and used to serve a specific
informational purpose; a clear and cohesive argument builds
over the course of the report; includes an introduction with a
thesis and forecast of its main points; uses transitions from one
section to another; includes a conclusion that restates the main
points
Organization of paper is clear. Each major section contributes
to the overarching argument; the author has made this clear by
tying discussion sections and assertions back to the main
argument during the course of the research report (e.g. ____ is
how Tesla is changing electric car market. For subarg #2: The
outstanding performance of Tesla’s cars is permanently
reshaping customers’ expectations for electric cars.)
Organization is mostly clear. Most major sections contribute to
the overall argument, but author is less consistent at connecting
assertions back to the overarching argument.
Organization is confusing. Major sections are missing or are not
tied back to the overarching argument. Description and detail
seem present but do not support a coherent point.
Effectiveness
(e.g. provides well-articulated, detailed claims supported by
evidence (examples, narratives, statistics, quotes, etc); retains
tone of authority and objectivity)

7. Paper is richly detailed and culminates in a convincing
argument.
Paper culminates in an argument but is less convincing than it
could be. Some inconsistencies in sections remain.
Paper does not culminate in a convincing argument. Lacks detail
and coherence. Several weaknesses need attention or revision
Grammar & mechanics
(e.g. business fonts, equivalent to 7 pages of text, includes title,
table of contents, executive summary, references page, all pages
except title are numbered, grammatically correct and free of
typos)
Writer follows all guidelines for spelling, grammar, usage,
mechanics, etc. Wording is strong and sentences have a varied
structure/syntax employing a formal tone; meets basic
formatting requirements for academic papers
Writer follows most guidelines, but wording in some sections is
unclear, uneven, informal in tone, or contains errors, leaving
some passages difficult to understand. Some basic formatting
requirements are not met.
Writer follows some guidelines, but wording in many sections
is unclear, uneven, informal in tone, or contains errors, leaving
the paper generally difficult to understand. Basic formatting
requirements are not met.
Product: CVS Pharmacy Generic Adrenaclick - Impax
Laboratories (IPXL)
Please watched and read the following links, then write three
pages message strategy about the product!!
Useful Links:
VIDEO ABOUT IT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzKWOddEcRQ

8. · Whats an EPIPEN: https://www.epipen.com/about-
epipen/what-is-epinephrine
· https://www.cvs.com/content/epipen-alternative
· http://mentalfloss.com/article/90900/cvs-now-sells-epipen-
alternative-little-10
· https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/cvs-just-announced-a-
super-cheap-generic-alternative-to-epipen/
· https://cvshealth.com/newsroom/press-releases/cvs-health-
offers-patients-lowest-cash-price-market-generic-epinephrine-
auto
· https://theoutline.com/post/887/cvs-is-selling-a-super-cheap-
epipen-alternative-but-will-people-buy-it
It should include three parts in the paper:
· Key consumer and brand relationship insights
· Message direction, design and execution
· Strategic consistency