Our last post for this week includes information on the proposals you are writing for Project 4 and some additional resources you can use both for Project 4 and Project 6.

Class Work for July 31 and August 1

These are the tasks to complete for today’s work:

• Go over grade level expectations for Project 4
• Share some tips for writing your proposal
• Point to additional job application resources
• Discuss persuasive techniques

Grade Levels for Project 4

I’ve posted expectations for the C-, B-, and A-level work for Project 4. You can also find the document under the Assignments menu at the top of the page, in the submenu under Projects 4 and 6. If you have any questions about the levels, post in Questions about Project 4 topic or send me an email message.

Writing Proposals

So far, no one has posted any questions about the proposals assignment. I hope that means that you all understand the activity and are busy working on it. Here are some additional tips I can give you as you work:

• Length: I would guess that the proposal will take at least 2 to 3 pages, single-spaced. As you might guess, the exact length will vary. Your layout and font choices will effect how long the proposal is, of course. Likewise, if you have tables, illustrations, screenshots, or other graphics, those will all probably make the proposal longer.

• Persuasive Techniques: As the textbook mentions, proposals are all about persuasion (see pp. 279–282). Your job is to persuade me (your reader) that you have made the right choices in the job application materials you will write for Project 6. Think about how you can show me that your choices will help you meet your goals (for instance, get a job, build a professional online presence, etc.)

• Charts: If you want to create a chart in your proposal, use the Lynda.com video for tips on how to set up your data and create your chart on Google Drive. You will need to login via Virginia Tech for free access to the video.

• Trouble deciding? If you can’t decide what to propose, let me suggest you choose setting up or improving your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn will walk you through all the different information you can include. It is almost a fill-in-the-blanks résumé builder. You can even export your information to begin work on a more traditional résumé.

Additional Job Application Resources

Use your free access to Lynda.com videos to find additional resources that can help as you decide what to propose. If you were interested in doing something that the textbook doesn’t cover, these videos may be just what you’re looking for. Here are some examples that look as if they could be useful:

• Job Hunting Online with Jolie Miller

• Up and Running with LinkedIn with Brad Batesole

• Git Essential Training with Kevin Skoglund

• Job Search Strategies with Valerie Sutton

• Designing a Resume with Steve Harris

• Creating an Effective Resume with Mariann Siegert

Discussing Persuasive Techniques

The 4-minute video below talks about how persuasion works and three ways you can appeal to a reader or audience. The video does rely on audio, so you may want to use headphones if you are in a public space when you watch it.

There’s also an odd moment where a dog mistakes a violinist for a fire hydrant. Try not to worry about that as you watch:

Go to the Discussing the Persuasion Video topic in the forums after you have watched the video and talk about how you can use one or more of the appeals in your proposal to demonstrate why the plan you are presenting is best.