Memorandum

To: English 427 Class, Winter '06
From: Professor Benninghoff
Date: 30 March 2006

Re: Westinghouse Tailoring Project

Editor Writing Project: Tailoring to Different Audiences
For the Tailoring Project, you are to edit a lengthy press release on a new concept in mass transit from Westinghouse for two different journals.  You are to end up with a 500-word article for each.  The journals are:

American City & County.  This journal publishes articles written to help local government administrators discover ways of improving the operation and administration of municipalities.  Articles focus on such issues as water supply, parks and recreation, recycling, public safety, and streets, highways, and bridges.  The circulation of American City & County is 74,000; its readers include mayors, city managers, and other administrators in municipalities with populations ranging from 2,500 to 100,000.  Halle Library carries this journal in print form, and it is in quite a few indexes.  Check www.americancityandcounty.com for the website.

Automotive Engineering International.  This journal is the flagship publication of the Society of American Engineers (www.sae.org).  With a monthly circulation of 117,000, Automotive Engineering International focuses on new technical developments and their application.  The journal frequently devotes issues to special topics such as aviation or mass transit.  Halle Library carries this journal in print form.

When preparing your articles, please keep the following considerations in mind:

• Your articles should come as close as possible to 500 words, being neither over nor under that limit by more than 10 words.
  
• Westinghouse invites you to change as much of their phrasing as you would like.  You are responsible for the quality of the finished prose, whether it is Westinghouse’s or yours.
  
• When grading, I will take into account the many factors that affect the quality of a journal article.  However, I will pay particular attention to the way in which you adapt the material in the press release to the audience and style of each journal.  It is highly recommended that you turn in memo with each article that explains your analysis of the audience, their wants and needs, and the purpose(s) you will be shooting for with your articles. You will receive a separate grade on each of the two articles.

Bring a complete draft of one of your articles to class on Tuesday, April 4.  If your last name begins with
A – L, bring a draft of the American City & County article.  If your last name begins with M – Z, bring a copy of the Automotive Engineering International article.  You may bring a draft of both articles if you wish.

Final drafts of both articles are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, April 11.