CJ 228 – Risk Management Unit 6 Seminar

Housekeeping issues… Unit 5 grades Unit 5 grades –Discussion board –Seminar –Learning Activity Review of expectations Review of expectations Upcoming assignments Upcoming assignments –Midterm essays (Unit 5) Current Unit Current Unit –DB –Quiz

Contact Info: Chief Matthew Selves Contact info: Contact info: – – –Cell phone –Office hours: Monday 7:30 to 8:30 PM/EST AIM: chiefselves Late work policy Late work policy Plagiarism policy Plagiarism policy Student resources: Student resources: –Kaplan Writing Center –Career Resources –Student Support Desk

WRITING THE REPORT UH OH! HERE WE GO AGAIN

Why Do I Need This? First it was math, now it’s about writing. I’m supposed to be studying security!

This Is About Security Gone are the good (or bad) old days when security personnel were nothing more than warm bodies in uniform. Employers now want professionals.

What Do You Mean By Professionals? In the security field, we expect professionals to be able to: Think and analyze problems Think and analyze problems Develop solutions Develop solutions Present solutions in an intelligent format, both verbally and in writing Present solutions in an intelligent format, both verbally and in writing

Education is Vital to Professionals and Writing is Vital to Education Remember how some of you have complained about all the writing requirements here at Kaplan? Now you know why. Your instructors care about your future.

But I Know How to Write Really? This is not about how to write a note to a friend. This is about presenting evaluations and ideas in a proper and professional manner.

Professional Writing Professional writing means: Understanding the proper use of formal writing styles Understanding the proper use of formal writing styles Using proper grammar Using proper grammar Understanding sentence and paragraph structure Understanding sentence and paragraph structure Understanding the need to have a good vocabulary and spelling knowledge Understanding the need to have a good vocabulary and spelling knowledge Do you have all these skills?

How Do I Obtain These Skills? Write more and have your work critiqued by someone who has these skills (i.e., your instructor) Write more and have your work critiqued by someone who has these skills (i.e., your instructor) Learn the rules of formal writing Learn the rules of formal writing Use the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style. It is only one of a number of formal writing styles, however, it is the preferred format at Kaplan University. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style. It is only one of a number of formal writing styles, however, it is the preferred format at Kaplan University.

Why Do We Need APA? Academic programs normally adopt a style of writing to maintain consistency. However, it is less about the style than it is teaching you to write in a formal manner. When you begin your professional life, you may have to learn a new style, but the basics remain the same.

You Must Learn To Write in a Formal Manner Otherwise, you will be just one face among many hoping to land a job. Good verbal and writing skills can help ensure your success in your profession.

FIVE CRITERIA OF GOOD REPORTING Reports are measured against standards Reports are measured against standards –Accuracy –Clarity –Conciseness –Timeliness –Slant (or pitch)

Accuracy Readers rely on survey report Readers rely on survey report Reports must be factual Reports must be factual Reports should speak with authority Reports should speak with authority Reports must be supported w/evidence Reports must be supported w/evidence Information must be validated Information must be validated Overlooked - perspective Overlooked - perspective

Clarity Must understand the subject matter Must understand the subject matter Poor structure - impediment to clarity Poor structure - impediment to clarity Effective communication thru outlines Effective communication thru outlines Avoid certain terms and abbreviations Avoid certain terms and abbreviations –Acronyms, abbreviations, technical jargon Set the stage for the report Set the stage for the report Technical procedures muddy waters Technical procedures muddy waters

Conciseness Eliminate the information unessential Eliminate the information unessential Easy flow and continuity of thought Easy flow and continuity of thought Short, simple, easy-to-understand Short, simple, easy-to-understand Long, complicated sentences, etc. Long, complicated sentences, etc. Dissected and rewritten sentences Dissected and rewritten sentences Do not leave out date Do not leave out date

Timeliness Management takes its time Management takes its time Reports must be submitted timely fashion Reports must be submitted timely fashion How to meet the objectives, timeliness, and thoroughness? How to meet the objectives, timeliness, and thoroughness? Interim reports are designed to be short and to the point. Interim reports are designed to be short and to the point.

Slant Consider the pitch of the report Consider the pitch of the report Tone should be courteous Tone should be courteous Impersonality Impersonality Exclude minor details Exclude minor details Narrow minded Narrow minded Identify certain aspects of the company Identify certain aspects of the company

Format Cover letter Cover letter Body of the report Body of the report –Title, Introduction, Purpose, Scope, and Findings Statement of Opinion Statement of Opinion –Conclusion

Thank you and good evening! Thanks for attending another great seminar. Thanks for attending another great seminar. If you have any questions, I will stay after for a while. If you have any questions, I will stay after for a while. Have a great week. Have a great week.