Memo 3

Choose any topic from weeks 11, 12 or 13
Due on or before Tuesday 11/23
Note. Assignment should be submitted via Blackboard by 11:59 pm on the day due
25% of course grade, maximum of 25 points possible
The memo is a chance for you to do a deeper dive on a specific week’s topic. In your memo you should reflect on the readings for the week. After you review the materials, develop a coherent, critical response (or series of responses) to the readings. 
In the memos, I am more interested in your reflections—your thinking, your analysis of the materials, your connections –all grounded in specific points made in the materials.
You are absolutely welcome to identify and include any additional readings on the topic if you would like but additional materials beyond those produced through Bb are not required for possible full credit on this assignment.
Specifications:•

Your memo should be 4 to 5 pages.
When you refer to a fact or statistic, or specific argument from a material assigned, you can simply refer to the title of the source or author by name.
When any language is taken directly from a source material (assigned, self-selected) you must use quotes. Please note—quotes should be used sparingly if at all in your memos. I am interested in your ideas and thoughts primarily, and your formulations and reformulations – not for your reader to be again reviewing the source material.
If you include an additional source material please do footnote the source the first to identify the reference to the source, and then you may simply reference the author or title in the main text.
Use a 12 pt. standard Times or Times New Roman font. Please use double spacing (nothing wider). Be sure to use full sentences, write in paragraph form, and leave time to proofread your work. • Submit your memo as a PDF through this the Bb Assignment Folder.
Be sure to *view* your submission before logging out of Bb. Blank submissions are not considered submissions.• In the header of your memo be sure to include: (1) your name, (2) your student ID number, (3) the week and topic for which you are writing. This is a silly way to lose points unnecessarily.

Some tips:

Your memo should be selective and discuss an aspect, or several aspects, of the week’s readings—it should not strive to comprehensively or encyclopedically summarize all of the points in a week’s materials.
Your memo can be a bit descriptive at points to orient your reader, but it should not be a summary only—it must include analytical and/ or critical reflections, bringing in your own ideas, your thoughts, your reactions, your own linkages to the readings. Summaries of the readings should be, at most, no more than 1/4 of your memo.
Your memo can respond to a specific idea, concept, or argument directly presented in the materials or more than one—the scope of responses you include will depend likely on how much you have to see about each.
Your memo might compare or contrast different ideas in the materials, and show how they may complement each other, or alternatively conflict with each other.
Your memo might also or alternatively raise a case closely related to the materials, but not directly covered in the readings and show how it fits vis a vis ideas discussed in the readings.
Your memo might be a thoughtful critique one or another of the ideas in the materials, identifying strengths and also weaknesses you perceive in the arguments.
Please be sure to providence evidence and examples for any/all assertions you make. To be persuasive, be specific–give examples, and illustrate the points you make.
You do not have to mention every material for the week chosen, using one that is provocative to you as the launching pad, assuming it generates a strong enough response, is fine. Or you may incorporate several or all. Go where your responses to data, arguments, and ideas presented are strongest.

I very much look forward to reading your reflections and thoughts on these topics!