ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION: In business and policymaking settings it is often required that longer in_x005f depth reports and research are accompanied by a more publicly accessible synopsis, summary, or
overview to communicate the general ideas. The aim of this final assessment is to create such an
output for the research work that you have put into your course project.
The essay will consist of three components:
1. An executive summary: this is the thesis statement plus three to five bullets points that list
key information a reader needs to know.
2. An overview of the research/extended abstract: this is a two to three paragraph summation
of the main points in words.
3. The infographic: a creative figure with text and a graph that highlights the motivation or a
key piece of evidence that advances your thesis. Lectures in week 7 or week 8 will cover
infographics and how to construct one using Canva.
The maximum length for this essay is 750 words. However, most submissions will be shorter than
that. In fact, condensing key information into the shortest possible piece of writing is a skill that you
should master. Even in academia where you are given freedom to write hundreds of pages on a
single subject, you will find yourself required to write grant application that restrict you to two to
three pages of space. Writing meaningfully and succinctly is a skill that we want you to develop.
Submissions must be typeset in LaTeX.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: As listed above, there are three components to the professional essay that
you must include: executive summary, extended abstract, and the infographic. There are two phases
to completing the project.
First draft of all three components (8/20 marks): due Sunday, May 21st 11:59 PM
This is a Canvas submission, which will be reviewed by the tutors. Comments will be relayed to you
through Canvas. You are to take the comments on board and revise your essay.
Final draft (12/20 marks): due Sunday, June 4th 11:59 PM
This is a Canvas submission. It is the final piece of assessment in the course!
GRADE WEIGHT: The professional essay carries 20% of the grading weight for the course. There are
five marks available for the first draft submission. The remaining marks are awarded equally to each
of three components, i.e., 4 marks for the executive summary, 4 marks for the overview/extended
abstract, and 4 marks for the infographic.
