What You Will Learn and Practice

• Collaborate with classmates in planning, researching, writing, revising, and presenting information. [CLO 5]

What I Want You to Do

Recommend your favorite public place to do course work off campus, in and around Blacksburg). Share details about the location that tell the reader how to find it and make it clear to readers why it is a good place to work.

Why I Want You to Do It

By the end of this term, you will write a recommendation report that describes and suggests solutions to a problem on campus, online, in a workplace, or in your community. This discussion serves three purposes:

1. It asks you to consider what makes a good recommendation.
2. It works as a discussion starter that helps us get to know one another.
3. It shares information that may help you find new places to work.

Where You Can Find Help

• From Markel & Selber, Chapter 8, “Communicating Persuasively” (PDF):
  • Using the Right Kinds of Evidence, pp. 184–186
  • Using Visuals as Persuasive Elements, pp. 186–187
  • Appealing to Emotions Responsibly, pp. 187–188

When to Do It

• Suggested Due Date: By 11:59 PM on Friday, August 27, 2021.
• End of Grace Period: If you need more time, take more time. Complete this activity by 11:59 PM on Friday, December 3, 2021.

How You Do It

1. Review the information on “Communicating Persuasively” from the textbook.
2. Consider the details that you expect to find in a good recommendation.
3. Add a reply with your recommendation. You can recommend a new place or add on to someone else’s suggestion.
• Focus on a place that anyone in the class can work (in other words, not your dorm room or apartment).
• Tell the reader where it is and how to find it.
• Share details that show why it is a good place to work.
4. Read through the responses of your classmates, responding to their recommendations and/or liking them.

How to Assess & Track Your Work

You track and grade your own work in this course. Be sure to complete the following tasks:

• Track your work in your Weekly Work Log.

Work is always marked as either 1 for Complete or 0 for Incomplete:

• I will mark this activity Complete in Canvas Grades, usually within 24–48 hours after the Suggested Due Date.

• Canvas will mark this activity Incomplete in Grades automatically if you do not post by the Suggested Due Date. If you submit your work during the grace period, I will mark the activity to Complete.