Imagine that you’ve been hired by a professional organization related to your field (groups
such as the Association for Information Technology Professionals, the American Marketing Association,
American Archeological Society, etc.) to prepare an issue brief appropriate for inclusion on their website. The
issue brief should speak from the perspective of your professional community and address public audiences
and policymakers. Your issue brief should include the following information about your selected issue:
definitions of terms and explanations of specialized concepts or perspectives affecting the controversy,
a brief history of the controversy,
an explanation of what the actual point of disagreement is, the range of viewpoints represented within the
controversy, and the impetus behind those viewpoints,
the implications of or consequences arising from this controversy, and
what events are on the horizon for this controversy.
Your white paper should help the intended audience understand an ongoing controversy and develop a more
nuanced perspective on the issues. Your report should include at least 1 original infographic (visual
presentation of information) that helps make expert knowledge easier to understand for non-expert audiences.
Choose a topic related to your major or your professional interests. The primary criteria is that the issue in
question be a current controversy about which informed stakeholders disagree.
When I grade your project I will ask: “Does this issue brief help the public better understand an ongoing
controversy and bring professional/technical expertise to bear on the issue?” More particularly, I will expect
your issue brief to:
- Help readers understand the issue by
defining expert terms and explaining specialized concepts or perspectives affecting the controversy,
briefly describe a history of the controversy
explain what the actual point of disagreement is and the range of viewpoints represented within the controversy
and the impetus behind those viewpoints,
the implications of or consequences arising from this controversy, and
what events are on the horizon for this controversy. - Demonstrate characteristics of excellence for technical communication (honesty, clarity, accuracy,
comprehensiveness, accessibility/usability, conciseness, professional appearance, and correctness)
have a clear and limiting title and to use headings to clearly announce major sections and sub-sections
provide visuals that help make expert knowledge accessible to non-experts
smoothly and ethically summarize/paraphrase/quote and cite from at least six recent and relevant scholarly
sources;
show evidence of significant revision based on feedback from your peers;
convey information in ways that are consistent with your field’s goals, values, and research practices.
Sample Solution
