Activity Details

This is an optional activity, worth 20 points.

• Due Date: 11:59 PM on Friday, April 30.
• End of Grace Period: 11:59 PM on Monday, May 3.

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

What I Want You to Do

Create a professional biographical statement that tells colleagues, clients, and the public about your background, your work, and your interests. A professional bio is often used as an introduction of a new employees or when an employee taking on new responsibilities (like a promotion).

Why I Want You to Do It

At this point in your college progress, you probably have a resume. You may even have a job secured once you graduate. This assignment is a kind of job application project (since it includes details from your resume or cover letter), but it asks you to frame the details differently. Your biographical statement tells the world who you are as a professional in your career field, what you value, and what your goals are.

How You Do It

1. Decide on a specific audience and purpose for your bio. You need to choose a company or organization that you know well, such as one of the following:
   • a company you did an internship for.
   • a company you have worked for in the past.
   • a club or Greek organization you are a member of.
   • your department or a special office or program on campus.
   • a situation you choose (you can check with me if you’re unsure).
2. Imagine that your bio will be published in a staff newsletter or on a “Meet the Team” webpage. You can also write the bio for use on a campus website or in a publication for alumni.
3. Once you have decided on a situation for your bio, think carefully about who will read your bio. Your audience might include any (or several) of the following:
   • coworkers and team members.
   • managers or supervisors.
   • employees you manage.
   • clients and potential clients.
   • employees at competing companies.
   • potential employers.
   • journalists.
   • the public.
4. Read advice about writing bio statements. The following websites (in no particular order) offer advice on writing short bio statements:
   • How to Write a Professional Bio as a College Student (Pullman Foundation)
   • How to Write Short Company Newsletter Bios of Employees (eHow)
   • Transform Staff Bios from Mundane to Magical in 6 Easy Steps (GettingAttention.org)
   • “Meet the Team” Pages: Examples and Trends (Smashing Magazine)
   • How to Write a Short Bio About Yourself (Chron)
   • How to Write a Snappy, Tight Professional Bio (NBC Chicago)
   • How to Write a Sample Self-Bio at a New Job (Global Post)
   • Top Ten Tips for Writing a Professional Overview or Biography (Ezine @rticles)
   • How to Write A Bio- Tips for Building Your Personal Brand (Brand Yourself)
   • Samples of Professional Branding Statements (Dummies.com)
5. Review some example bios. You may need to click on the person’s name to see the bio.
   • Corps of Cadets Staff Biographies
   • Athletic Fund Staff
   • Rackspace Leadership
   • Tenneco Leadership
   • Thompson Hospitality
   • Kauffman & Associates
   • National Hispanic Corporate Council
   • McKissack & McKissack
6. Write your biography statement in your word processor or in Google Docs. Keep the following requirements in mind:
   • Include strong, specific details that tell readers who you are and help them get to know you.
   • Use current information. You can pretend you have graduated, but don’t make up any other information.
   • Include biographical facts that connect you to the company, organization, or group.
   • Include well-chosen photo(s) that fit the audience and purpose of the bio.
   • Use professional design and formatting that makes positive use of the CRAP Design Principles.
7. Submit your position statement:
   • Submit your work here by 11:59 PM on Friday, April 30.
   • If you need more time, use the grace period and submit your work by 11:59 PM on Monday, May 3.

Obtaining the Points for Your Work

This activity is worth 20 points. Be sure to complete the following tasks:

• Track your work in your Weekly Work Log.
• Wait for me to give you points for your answers. Canvas cannot automatically grade written text, so I will confirm that you met the requirements of the activity and add your points manually.