A writer is working on an insurance information brochure and is having trouble grouping the ideas logically into an outline. Using the following information, prepare the outline, paying attention to the appropriate hierarchy of ideas. If necessary, rewrite phrases to make them all consistent.  

Accident Protection Insurance Plan 

Coverage is only pennies a day

The benefit is $100,000 for accidental death on a common carrier

The benefit is $100 a day for hospitalization as a result of a motor vehicle or common carrier accident

The benefit is $20,000 for accidental death in a motor vehicle accident

Individual coverage is only $17.85 per quarter; family coverage is just $26.85 per quarter

No physical exam or health questions

Convenient payment—billed quarterly

Guaranteed acceptance for all applicants

No individual rate increases

Free, no-obligation examination period

Cash paid in addition to any other insurance carried

Covers accidental death when riding as fare-paying passenger on public transportation, including buses, trains, jets, ships, trolleys, subways, or any other common carrier

Covers accidental death in motor vehicle accidents occurring while driving or riding in or on automobile, truck, camper, motor home, or nonmotorized bicycle

Question 2

Document Makeover: Please suggest corrections for the draft of the letter that appears below.

14432 Dickens St. Apt. 307

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

818-501-8723 schreiber12@aol.com

December 4, 2011

Susan Lord

Comic-Con International

P.O. Box 128458

San Diego, CA 92112

Dear Ms. Lord:

I have been coming to Comic-Con every summer for the past four years, and each year it gets better and better. If your a comics aficianado, Comic-Con is only place to be. I don't know if you take interns or not, but if you do, I'd like to apply for the position.

I go to my LCS every week to pick up all the new titles, in particular, I collect everything related to Spider-Man. As a college student, I've written several papers about that character's psychology and history. My goal is get a degree in journalism and go on to working at a publishing companypreferably one that specializes in the popular arts.

As far as work qualifications go, I have worked part-time at Border's and MacDonald's (see my attached résumé). I also write a blog about comics (Scott's Scribbles), contribute comics and videogame reviews to poparts.com, well versed in Microsoft Word and Adobe PhotoShop, and I have experience in Web site design.

Beginning in Jan. I will be going to San Diego State U. and could adopt my class schedule to work it around any hours you would like me to work in the office.

I will be in San Diego starting next week, so please let me know when would be a good time to drop in for an interview. I promise I wont ware my Spider-Man costume!

Sincerely,

Scott Schreiber

Enclosures: Résumé, writing samples

Please answer any THREE of the FIVE questions listed below:

Question 3

Planning: Identifying Your Purpose. List three messages you have received recently, such as direct mail promotions, letters, email messages, phone solicitations, and lectures. For each, determine the general purpose and the specific purpose; then answer the following questions: (1) Was the message well timed? (2) Did the sender choose an appropriate medium for the message? (3) Was the sender’s purpose realistic?

Question 4

Planning: Analyzing the Situation; Media Skills: Electronic Presentations. Go to the PepsiCo website, at www.pepsico.com, and locate the latest annual report. Read the annual report’s letter to shareholders. Who is the audience for this message? What is the general purpose of the message? What do you think this audience wants to know from the chairman of PepsiCo?

Question 5

Planning: Creating an Audience Profile; Collaboration: Team Projects. Compare the Facebook pages of three companies in the same industry. Analyze the content on all available tabs. What can you surmise about the intended audience for each company? Which of the three does the best job of presenting the information its target audience is likely to need?

Question 6

Writing: Creating Effective Sentences: Media Skills: Social Networking. If you are interested in business, chances are you’ve had an idea or two for starting a company. If you haven’t yet, go ahead and dream up an idea now. Make it something you are passionate about, something you could really throw yourself into. Now write a four sentence summary that could appear on the Info tab on a Facebook profile. Make sure the first sentence is a solid topic sentence, and make sure the next three sentences offer relevant evidence and examples. Feel free to make up any details you need.

Question 7

Evaluating the Work of Other Writers. Find a blog post (at least three paragraphs long) on any business-related topic. Evaluate it using the following 10 questions:

-What is the purpose of the document or message?

-What is the target audience?

-What information does the audience need?

-Does the document provide this information in a well-organized way?

-Does the writing demonstrate the “you” attitude toward the audience?

-Is the tone of the writing appropriate for the audience?

-Can the readability be improved?

-Is the writing clear? If not, how can it be improved?

-Is the writing as concise as it could be?

-Does the design support the intended message?