The first document for your chosen topic is the  memo.

You will create a topic memo that outlines a topic that you’d like to research. You may choose any topic that is of interest to you. You are asking someone, a boss or a school, for permission to write a proposal and later do a research project on your topic.  Your document should follow the basic conventions of memos .  It should outline the basics of your proposal, including:

HERE IS A MEMO EXAMPLE THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW. JUST THINK HOW YOUR OWN TOPIC WOULD FIT. Use the bullets below for content.

1)      The problem you are addressing:  why do we need this manual?  If one already exists (such as for a Blu-Ray player), why do we need a new one?

2)      The methodology you will use to research the problem:  what research will you do to determine how to create the most effective manual?  (Will you compare similar manuals?  Conduct a survey or interview to gain user feedback?  Research page design?)  Why have you chosen that research?

3)      The solution:  a brief overview of your proposed user manual.  (What changes will you make to the original manual?  Why?  Or, if you are creating an original manual, what content and formatting choices will you make?  Why?)

Since this is an initial topic memo, it is understood that some of your information will be tentative.  You may decide that additional (or different) research would be useful; some of your proposed solutions may change as you continue to research and create the user manual.   

But remember that the more specific your information, the clearer (and more persuasive) your overall project becomes. Offer evidence (examples that prove your topic should be considered) to show your readers that your claim is true.  

If you cannot convince your readers that there is a problem with the current manual, they will not be interested in hearing about your proposed solutions.

Audience:

Your audience for this memo is your supervisor at the company (a.k.a. me, your instructor).  As your supervisor, I will be the person who oversees your group’s project before you present your ideas to the board of directors in the more formal written proposal. 

Format:

Use a similar format from the example above (replacing with the bullet outline I provide).