Project Summary:
For this assignment, student groups will work with a representative from UNCW's Professional Writing program to produce promotional materials (two per group) for the program's upcoming English in Action showcase which takes place on April 23 from 3:30-4:30 on the first floor of Morton Hall. All materials created for this project become property of the English Department. Materials selected by the Professional Writing program will be used to promote the event.During the Service Learning Project, students will practice working collaboratively to produce real professional materials for an authentic client. In so doing, students will demonstrate their understanding of audience awareness, research, documentation, ethos, professionalism, and document design. Groups will be graded in part on their overall contribution to the PR campaign, so groups are encouraged to produce materials that have a real impact rather than materials that are easy to create.
The calendar is subject to change during this project, but I will keep students up to date via the online calendar and class discussion.
Service Learning Google Document
English in Action logo
Groups:
| Justin | Joey | Sasha | Tyler L. | Samuel |
| William N. | Tyler H. | Jessica | William R. | Ashley |
| Jessie | Morgan | Jaime P. | Andrew | Jamie R. |
| Marguerite | Cara | Lauren | Kevin | Kelly |
Project Sequence and Grading:
- Gantt Chart (10% of project grade)
Each group will produce a Gantt Chart—a visual project management document depicting the division of labor. Gantt Charts should clearly delineate project tasks and deadlines, as well as who is responsible for their completion (a specific individual or the group). Excellent Gantt Charts will be through, professional, and in keeping with the parameters covered in readings and class discussion. - Proposal (20% of project grade)
Each group will produce a Proposal based on the information found in TCT that articulates the client's goals and how the group's documents will accomplish them. The client will use these proposals to understand how each group has contributed to the overall campaign. Excellent Proposals will reflect the information in TCT and present a coherent narrative rather than a collection of disconnected parts. Excellent Proposals also will reflect the corresponding finished documents, and be in a finished, polished format suitable for a client readership, including appropriate grammar and mechanics. - Client Materials (50% of project grade)
Each group will produce two promotional materials in keeping with the needs, values, and expectations of the client. Excellent client materials should respond to the client's guidance, and should be in a finished, polished format suitable for an authentic professional situation. The client will have direct input on this component of the grade. - Client Presentation (10% of project grade)
(The presentation rubric is available here.)
Each group's final materials will be presented to the client. (Presentations will be videotaped for clients who are unable to attend in person.) Presentations should discuss how the group's documents suit the client's needs, values, and expectations appropriately. Presentations need not feature all group members; one or more group members may handle the presentation. Presentations will last between 5 and 10 minutes. Please do not go over time. Excellent client presentations will be convincing, rehearsed, and on time. - Postmortem (10% of project grade, individual to each group member)
(The postmortem form is available here.)
Each student will produce a reflective postmortem that provides insight into the contributions of group members and the global performance of the group. Postmortems will be used to assign group members individual grades for this project component. Excellent postmortems will account thoroughly for all sections of the postmortem form, thereby providing valuable insight into project development, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Excellent postmortems will be in a finished, polished format, including appropriate grammar and mechanics.