Chapter 1: Communication, Your Career, and This Book
Extra Excercise Online 1.1

The goal of this exercise is to help you understand the ways workplace communications are designed to bring about change.

The Exercise

The table below shows several examples of changes you could bring about through workplace writing.

In the spaces provided on the table, supply three additional scenarios. These scenarios can be based on workplace experience you have had or on conversations you've had with people who work full-time. You may also create hypothetical scenarios using the knowledge you acquired by reading Chapter 1.

Be prepared to share your scenarios with the class.

Table for Describing the Changes Writing Can Make

The Way Things Are Now You Act (You Write) The Way You Want Things to Be
You work for a manufacturing plant. The plant manager doesn't realize that the company is using an outdated process for a key operation. You write a memo detailing the advantages of a newly developed process. The plant manager decides to investigate the newly developed process because he has read your memo.
Your employer, a bank, is installing a new computer system for use by the tellers. You write an instruction manual for the new system. The tellers perform their jobs efficiently and flawlessly using the new computer system because they have read the manual you wrote.
The manager of your department wants to decide whether or not to purchase a certain piece of equipment. You have the information the manager needs in order to make the decision. You write a feasibility report based on the information you possess. Your manager chooses wisely based on information in your report.
You work for a company that franchises fast-food restaurants featuring salads and other healthful meals. The company is tempted to begin a rapid expansion. You write a report in which you discuss all aspects of the proposed expansion. The company decides it would overextend itself if it expanded so rapidly. It makes this decision after reading the reasons for caution that you included in your report.