I am writing to propose an analytical research project aimed at making our firm more environmentally friendly. The focus of this proposal is on reducing the firm's energy consumption through building retrofitting. By implementing energy-efficient measures, we can not only decrease our carbon footprint but also potentially realize substantial cost savings in the long run.

Your report must include the following components:

Title Page

Table of Contents and List of Figures (both on one page)

Executive Summary (on a separate page)

Introduction (on a separate page)

Findings and Analysis (start on a new page; this section should be at least 3 pages long/initial student;

you can format the sections and subsections in different ways, depending on aspects of the topic; include

at least 1 graphic element)

Conclusion and Recommendations (start on a new page)

References (on a separate page, alphabetical order, APA format)

YOUR TASK

Provide an analytical research report based on the topic above on the first paragragh

Quota of sources per 1 student: Use at least 3 research sources per initial student, and make

sure that at least 1 is peer-reviewed. (A pair of students will provide 4 sources, of which at

least 2 are peer-reviewed, etc.). Select sophisticated and credible sources, in order to

impress/persuade your readers.

REQUIRED LENGTH AND BASIC FORMAT:

Quota/1 Student: The text/research itself (Intro, Findings & Analysis, and

Conclusion/Recommendations): minimum 5 pages, Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri 12, single-

spaced, block format.

The Executive Summary: max. 1 page

The other required components: 3 pages (Title, Table of Contents/List of Figures, and References)

Add a minimum of 1 page per additional team member to the length of the report. The added

number of pages is relatively low because the addition would mostly consist of content added to the

body section and to the recommendations - the Report would still have just one Title Page, one Table of

Contents, etc.

Add a minimum of 1 peer-reviewed source per additional group member (2 students = 4 sources

minimum, 2 peer-reviewed; 3 students = 5 sources minimum, 3 peer-reviewed; 4 students = 6 sources

minimum, 4 peer-reviewed).

your topic is of an appropriate level of sophistication and complexity for the scenario (not generic

knowledge that the readers would already know/easily found through a few Google searches);

your report is sufficiently focused on a specific area of your field of studies;

the topic is narrowed down enough so that it can be effectively covered in a report of this size.

Make the topic specific enough and write the report from the perspective of a professional in your

field and for a specific audience. Generic, vague, and unprofessional reports will receive low grades.

EXPECTATIONS AND FORMAT:

See Length and Format Requirements at the start of this document.

See Required Components at the start of this document.

Use the general guidelines for reports as presented in the lectures.

Feel free to make up any information (names, titles, etc.) you need to complete the assignment.

However, you will have to pretend to be working for a specific organization (a real company,

institution, agency, etc.). In addition, your research must be real (do not make up data; instead, look for

relevant data by performing adequate research).

Research requirements: use the required number of sources (3+1, 3+2, etc., depending on the

number of team members); at least 2 of the 4 initial sources must be peer-reviewed (more,

depending on how large your team is), but the more peer-reviewed sources you can include, the better.

Sources such as blogs, vendors' websites, etc. can be used, if needed, in addition to the three sources

required. However, such sources do not count towards your quota.

All the sources you used should be referenced appropriately within the text of your report. They should

also be listed on your References page(s). Use the APA format consistently, in your report, for

references, citations, etc. (we'll discuss these Reports II topics in Week 9)

Quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize material from each source at least once within the body of the

report. Use signal phrases and parenthetical references each time.

Use graphic highlighting as necessary (headings, lists, visuals such as graphs, tables, pictures, etc.). You

are required to use at least 1 relevant visual component (graph, table, picture, etc.). You can create it or

borrow it from a source. If you borrow it from a source, reference it properly. Introduce your visuals as

instructed in the lecture Document Design for Reports. (more in Reports III, Week 10)

Apply all of the principles of effective professional communication discussed so far.

Edit your text carefully to eliminate stylistic problems such as wordiness, vagueness, informal writing,

subjective writing, etc.

Edit your text carefully to eliminate any punctuation, grammar, word choice, and spelling errors.