Guidelines:
The purpose of this assignment is to develop your writing skills. As such your essays must be composed as Microsoft word documents and should adhere to APA formatting guidelines. Each essay should be about two pages, not including the cover page and the reference page. If you type directly into dropbox, your submission will not be graded.
The Rationale for the Assignment:
Communication is a critical component of organizational effectiveness, so communication is crucial to your personal professional development. In addition to developing your oral and written communication skills, you must be able to discern the appropriate mode (how the message is delivered) of communication. Some of the factors that impact the mode are the sensitivity of the situation, its criticality, and how quickly the message needs to be relayed and/or responded to; as well as the need to have sufficient, relevant, accurate, and timely documentation.
The three writing assignments were designed with the above in mind. Please use the Student Professional Writing Guide that your professor has provided to you to complete the assignments that follow. You are required to complete two of three assignments, building on the feedback that you receive from your professor.
Assignments:
Assignment 1—Comparative Analysis
A comparative analysis refers to the comparison of two or more ideas, whether that is models, theories, or investments.
Because of the remote location of your current job, your employer has offered all employees the option of using $5,000 towards purchasing a car. You have decided to buy a car and realize the need for a comparative analysis to help you choose between buying a new car, buying a used car, and leasing a car. Complete a thorough comparative analysis of these options indicating your decision and the reasoning behind it.
Assignment 2—Financing College Education
A key factor in deciding on which college to attend is how to pay for it. In recent years, the cost of college has steadily increased significantly, forcing students and parents to become more creative in planning for college.
Discuss the options available to finance a college education including scholarships, grants, federal aid, and loans. What advice would you give to someone who is about to start his/her college education? How many loans should one get? How should paying for a college education be part of one’s financial plans?
Assignment 3—Buying a Home
Buying a home is likely to be the largest single purchase you will make during your lifetime. This is typically an involved process that may take months to complete. A significant amount of research, learning, and negotiation takes place during that time.
As part of your overall financial plan, you have decided to explore homeownership. Research your preferred neighborhood real estate market and compose an essay that explains the differences between a coop, a condo, and a house. Also, discuss the different types of mortgages and explain which type of real estate and mortgage would be ideal for you. What are your 5- and 10-year goals that will get you closer to achieving homeownership? Be specific and use actual numbers reflecting current market conditions.
