Introductory Presentation MEMO Critique

Assignment Instructions: Self-Critique Memo

For this assignment, you will write a self-critique in the form of a professional memorandum (MEMO) evaluating your Week 1 Introductory Video Presentation. The focus of this assignment is your ability to critically analyze your presentation, not the quality of the presentation itself.

Refer to the assignment area for detailed guidelines and the Intro Memo Video Tutorial for additional support.

Points: This assignment is worth 25 points.

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ASSIGNMENT READING

Digital media have replaced most internal printed memos in many companies, but you may have occasion to send printed memos from time to time. These can be simple announcements or messages, or they can be short reports using the memo format.

On your document, include a title such as MEMO or INTEROFFICE CORRESPONDENCE (all in capitals) centered at the top of the page or aligned with the left margin. Also at the top, include the words To, From, Date, and Subject—followed by the appropriate information—with a blank line between as shown here:

MEMO

• TO:
• FROM:
• DATE:
• SUBJECT:

Sometimes the heading is organized like this:

MEMO

Memo Heading Elements

TO:	FROM:
DATE:	SUBJECT:

The following guidelines will help you effectively format specific memo elements:

• Addressees. When sending a memo to a long list of people, include the notation See distribution list or See below in the To position at the top; then list the names at the end of the memo. Arrange this list alphabetically, except when high-ranking officials deserve more prominent placement. You can also address memos to groups of people—All Sales Representatives, Production Group, New Product Team.
• Courtesy titles. You need not use courtesy titles anywhere in a memo; first initials and last names, first names, or even initials alone are often sufficient. However, use a courtesy title if you would use one in a face-to-face encounter with the person.
• Subject line. The subject line of a memo helps busy colleagues quickly find out what your memo is about, so take care to make it concise and compelling.
• Body. Start the body of the memo on the second or third line below the heading. Like the body of a letter, it’s usually single-spaced with blank lines between paragraphs. Indenting paragraphs is optional. Handle lists, important passages, and subheadings as you do in letters.
• Second page. If the memo carries over to a second page, head the second page just as you head the second page of a letter.
• Writer’s initials. Unlike a letter, a memo doesn’t require a complimentary close or a signature because your name is already prominent at the top. However, you may initial the memo—either beside the name appearing at the top of the memo or at the bottom of the memo.
• Other elements. Treat elements such as reference initials and copy notations just as you would in a letter. One difference between letters and memos is that while letters use the term enclosure to refer to other pieces included with the letter, memos usually use the word attachment.

Memos may be delivered by hand, by the post office (when the recipient works at a different location), or through interoffice mail. Interoffice mail may require the use of special reusable envelopes that have spaces for the recipient’s name and department or room number; the name of the previous recipient is simply crossed out. If a regular envelope is used, the words Interoffice Mail appear where the stamp normally goes, so that it won’t accidentally be stamped and mailed with the rest of the office correspondence.

voice is probably the most valuable tool of the presenter. One of the oddities of speech is that we can easily tell others what is wrong with their voice (too fast, too high, monotone), but we have trouble listening to and changing our own voices. While you are viewing your video make notes on your Voice, Gestures, Background/Appearance.

VOICE: Notice filler words such as “um”, “ah”, “OK"; conversational tone; good volume and pace; easy to understand with clear enunciation. For online presentations remember to speak at a slower cadence than that of your everyday conversational speech. This is because most people use earphones during meetings and you will be speaking directly in their ears through the earphones.

GESTURES: The body communicates different impressions to the audience. People not only listen to you, they also watch you. Did you smile? Use personal mannerisms when you spoke? Avoid distracting gestures (tapping, clicking, touching hair, throat clearing)? Body language is a vital part of virtual meeting etiquette. Even if you can speak and present flawlessly, your facial expression and posture say more than your words when you present online.

BACKGROUND/APPEARANCE: Was your background non-distracting? If on video, a cluttered background can ruin everything and distract the audience from your presentation. Look at your clothing? Do you look like someone who should be listened to? Dress as you usually would if you were presenting in person. While it is undoubtedly comfy in your pajamas, you run a psychological risk of slipping into a comfort zone, which can take the edge off your online presentations. Be fully groomed, look sharp so that you can be sharp.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. 1. After you read the material above, watch your Introductory Video Presentation from Week 1. While you are viewing make notes on your
   2. Watch the "How to Write a Memo" tutorial video made by a former BCOM 2050 student:

3. As you write your MEMO look at your notes and add specific details in regarding your presentation. For example, not…”I think I did a pretty good job with eye-contact” but, “I scanned the room trying to have eye-contact with everyone” or “I noticed I had little or no eye-contact; I mostly looked up or down”. Again, your grade is not based on how good your talk was, but on how observant you are about your talk. Spelling and grammar count. You may use the following example template as a guide:

[Image unavailable: Memo Updated.JPG]

3. The MEMO should be uploaded as a WORD (DOC or DOCX) or PDF. Failure to upload the incorrect file type you will get an automatic zero (0) on this assignment.

ASSIGNMENT GRADING RUBRIC

POINTS	Introductory Video Presentation Grading Rubric
0 - 4	Proper MEMO Header (based off example above in assignment area and Memo Lecture)
0 - 16	Paragraphs 1 - 5 formatted properly and answered questions posed in assignment criteria.
0-5	Uploaded as word or PDF file with correct grammar and punctuation. Failure to upload the incorrect file type you will get an automatic zero (0) on this assignment.
	TOTAL POINTS = 25