Difference between revisions of "20.109(F09):DNA engineering "Memo""
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− | Persuasive | + | Persuasive writing is a specialized form of communication. Advertisements, letters to the editor, and brochures are all forms of persuasive writing. There are many others. The goal for all the persuasive writing is the same, namely to convince the reader to a particular point of view. For this assignment you will try your hand at persuasive writing by crafting a short "memo" to your hypothetical "vice president for research" at a fictional startup biotech company, "FYDR Formats, Inc." You will write as if you are the head of the company's "RECOMBO" research division, which includes research and development of the delta5 and delta3 GFP system for detection of homologous recombination. You must write an "end of fiscal year" memo in which you argue either FOR or AGAINST taking the delta5/delta3 research in your division forward. |
===Submission: October 15th or 16th, 2009=== | ===Submission: October 15th or 16th, 2009=== | ||
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This assignment is due by 11:00 a.m. on the day you have lab. Please turn in your memos electronically by uploading them to the [http://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/20/fa09/20.109/ Stellar website] that is associated with our class. It is important that you name your files according to this convention: Firstinitial_Lastname_LabSection_Mod1Memo.doc, for example: S_Hockfield_TR_Mod1Memo.doc | This assignment is due by 11:00 a.m. on the day you have lab. Please turn in your memos electronically by uploading them to the [http://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/20/fa09/20.109/ Stellar website] that is associated with our class. It is important that you name your files according to this convention: Firstinitial_Lastname_LabSection_Mod1Memo.doc, for example: S_Hockfield_TR_Mod1Memo.doc | ||
− | There will be a 1/2 letter grade penalty for each day (24 hour period) late. If you are submitting your assignment '''after the due date, it must be emailed''' to bevin, nlerner, nkuldell and astachow AT mit DOT edu. There will be no re-write option on this assignment, though you will receive feedback on your work | + | There will be a 1/2 letter grade penalty for each day (24 hour period) late. If you are submitting your assignment '''after the due date, it must be emailed''' to bevin, nlerner, nkuldell and astachow AT mit DOT edu. There will be no re-write option on this assignment, though you will receive feedback on your work. |
===Format requirements=== | ===Format requirements=== | ||
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After the header section (i.e. "to" "from" etc) the memo will have 4 major sections. | After the header section (i.e. "to" "from" etc) the memo will have 4 major sections. | ||
*Section 1: Purpose | *Section 1: Purpose | ||
+ | Please start this section with the phrase, "This memo responds to your request that..." since it will help establish your reason for writing the memo (namely as a response to an inquiry about the best path forward). | ||
*Section 2: Summary | *Section 2: Summary | ||
+ | This section provides a brief statement of the key recommendations you have reached as well as the methods and sources you have used to reach them. | ||
*Section 3: Discussion | *Section 3: Discussion | ||
*Section 4: Recommended Action | *Section 4: Recommended Action |
Revision as of 01:13, 4 August 2009
Persuasive writing is a specialized form of communication. Advertisements, letters to the editor, and brochures are all forms of persuasive writing. There are many others. The goal for all the persuasive writing is the same, namely to convince the reader to a particular point of view. For this assignment you will try your hand at persuasive writing by crafting a short "memo" to your hypothetical "vice president for research" at a fictional startup biotech company, "FYDR Formats, Inc." You will write as if you are the head of the company's "RECOMBO" research division, which includes research and development of the delta5 and delta3 GFP system for detection of homologous recombination. You must write an "end of fiscal year" memo in which you argue either FOR or AGAINST taking the delta5/delta3 research in your division forward.
Contents
Submission: October 15th or 16th, 2009
This assignment is due by 11:00 a.m. on the day you have lab. Please turn in your memos electronically by uploading them to the Stellar website that is associated with our class. It is important that you name your files according to this convention: Firstinitial_Lastname_LabSection_Mod1Memo.doc, for example: S_Hockfield_TR_Mod1Memo.doc
There will be a 1/2 letter grade penalty for each day (24 hour period) late. If you are submitting your assignment after the due date, it must be emailed to bevin, nlerner, nkuldell and astachow AT mit DOT edu. There will be no re-write option on this assignment, though you will receive feedback on your work.
Format requirements
Memo Template
Please model your memo on the following template
Body of Memo
After the header section (i.e. "to" "from" etc) the memo will have 4 major sections.
- Section 1: Purpose
Please start this section with the phrase, "This memo responds to your request that..." since it will help establish your reason for writing the memo (namely as a response to an inquiry about the best path forward).
- Section 2: Summary
This section provides a brief statement of the key recommendations you have reached as well as the methods and sources you have used to reach them.
- Section 3: Discussion
- Section 4: Recommended Action
This is your GO/NO GO decision. You should state your decision clearly in one sentence.
====Supplementary Documents====