The first document in the group project is the topic memo. Your group will create a topic memo that outlines your proposal that is a synopsis of your final research paper for the semester; for more information on the group project. Your memo document should follow the basic conventions of memos. It should outline the basics of your proposal, including: 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 paper? (Will you compare similar manuals? Conduct a survey or interview to gain user feedback? Know more about a topic? Research page design?) Why have you chosen that research? 3) The solution: a brief overview of your paper. What changes will you make to the original manual? 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 a good paper. But remember that the more specific your information, the clearer (and more persuasive) your overall project becomes. For example, if you simply claim that “the old Blu-Ray manual is confusing and poorly formatted,” your readers will remain unconvinced unless you are more explicit: what’s wrong with the formatting? What, specifically, is confusing? Offer evidence (examples from the original manual, or testimony from users who are confused, or survey results…) 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 standard MLA format (or APA). Length: Approx. 2-3 pages