This individual assignment will help students develop critical-thinking and writing skills to express themselves through a writing exercise. Students will write a short academic essay and a short business-related communication. This assignment will provide students with an opportunity to practice the difference between academic writing and writing for business. You will use the same topic to write a short academic essay and then a business letter. The topic is related to the importance of diversity in the workplace.

Instructions

Step 1: Apply what you learned from the readings about planning, researching, and writing an essay. Research the Algoma University library for information about the importance of diversity in the workplace. (750 words, double spaced, 12-point font).

Step 2 (Part 1): Consider the following as you explore the importance of diversity in the workplace:

1. What is diversity?
2. What are the benefits to employees of a diverse workplace?
3. What are the benefits to an organization of a diverse workplace?
4. Give an example of a diverse workplace and describe how it demonstrates the benefits described in #s 2 and 3 above.
5. How does an organization become diverse?

Your essay will address these questions within its body paragraphs. Your essay will be in APA format and will include a references list that includes any sources used. The Purdue Owl website will help with format, citing and referencing. Your essay should include 3-4 credible academic references.

Step 3 (Part 2): Write a business letter to your employer. The purpose of the letter is to explain why diversity is important in the workplace and to recommend actions the organization can take to become more diverse. Remember the differences between academic writing (part 1) and business writing (part 2) that you have read about in this unit.