Presentation: Rough Draft

Goals

• Analyze the rhetorical situation and determine the appropriate audience or users of written communication, considering the needs of global audiences and people with disabilities. [CLO 1]
• Use conventions of various workplace genres, such as proposals, instructions, correspondence, reports, and slide decks, with understanding of how the genre conventions can be used as heuristics and as principles of arrangement. [CLO 4]
• Apply principles of effective visual design for print and electronic presentation, including hierarchical, chronological, and spatial arrangements. [CLO 6]
• Identify and apply the principles of effective style in the composing of usable, reader-centered written communications. [CLO 7]

The Task

For this Major Writing Project Activity, create a rough draft of your project in your word processor. 

Getting Started

Complete the activities in these modules to gather information and prepare to write your draft: 

• Project Module 12: Presentation, Part 1
• Project Module 13: Presentation, Part 2

You are not required to complete the activities in the modules above, but they can help you prepare your draft.

Composing Your Draft

Read the assignment page fully to ensure that you understand all the requirements of the project:  Presentation: Assignment.

Create a rough draft of your project in your word processor. Keep the following Project Requirements in mind:

• Meets all of the requirements listed in the assignment description.
• Is a slideshow/presentation created in PowerPoint or Google Slides, that meets the following expectations:
  • Has a clear title that is specific to the project (p. 566).
  • Opens with introductory slides that (p. 556):
    • state the purpose of the task.
    • describe the safety measures or other concerns that readers should understand.
    • list the necessary tools and materials.
  • Includes slides with step-by-step instructions that are
    • numbered (p. 567).
    • expressed in the imperative mood (p. 567).
    • simple and direct (p. 567).
    • accompanied by appropriate graphics for each step (p. 568).
  • Ends with a conclusion that includes (p. 568)
    • any necessary follow-up advice.
    • if appropriate, a troubleshooting guide.
  • Includes a bibliography that provides documentation for all of the resources you have consulted. You may use the bibliographical format that is appropriate for your field. Here are some tools if you are unsure what to use:
    • EasyBib online citation builder Links to an external site. is a web-based tool that creates MLA-format for free.
    • Son of Citation Machine Links to an external site. is a web-based tool that creates MLA, APA, and Chicago citations for free.
    • Cite This For Me Links to an external site. is a web-based tool that creates several styles, including IEEE, for free.
    • Mendeley Links to an external site. is free citation manager software (available online or as a download) that creates every style.
    • Zotero Links to an external site. is free citation manager software (available online, as a browser extension, or as a download) that creates every style.
  • Has presentation graphics that meet these five characteristics:
    • They present clear, well-supported claim(s). (p. 587)
    • They are easy to see. (p. 587)
    • They are easy to read. (p. 588)
    • They are simple. (p. 589)
    • They are correct. (p. 589)
    TIP: Avoid clipart (which typically looks unpolished or unprofessional), and use only graphical elements that directly relate to the information in the presentation.
  • Uses professional design and formatting that does the following:
    • Makes a good first impression as a polished, professional presentation.
    • Uses appropriately-sized headings and text (24 pt minimum).
    • Makes information easy for readers to find and read.
    • Emphasizes important information.
    • Uses well-integrated, well-designed visuals to clarify the information (p. 592)
  • Includes Speaker Notes that accomplish the following:
    • Reminds you (the presenter) of key points or stories to include.
    • Helps build transitions between slides.
    • Focuses on short notes (NOT a word-for-word script).
  • Uses professional design and formatting that does the following:
    • Makes a good first impression as a polished, professional document.
    • Uses appropriately-sized headings and text.
    • Makes information easy for readers to find and read.
    • Emphasizes important information.
  • Uses accurate/appropriate grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics, linking, and formatting.
  • Is an original project, written by you, not copied or rephrased from another source. If you copy or rephrase from another source, you will earn zero points for the project.

Grading Process

I  will record the points for this activity after I check your draft and ensure that it meets the basic requirements listed above.  Note that your draft need not be complete to earn the points for this activity, but I do expect to see at least half of your project, accurately fitting the assignment, with enough information to demonstrate that you put your effort into the draft.

I provide individualized editing and revision feedback on rough drafts submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, April 24. Please allow approximately 3 days for me to respond to your work.

I will provide everyone with collective feedback that goes over issues I see in the drafts all members of the course submit. I may use excerpts from your draft to provide collective feedback to the class, based on the Anonymous Use of Student Texts policy.