Rather than a traditional final exam, students will be required to complete the following practical assignment.

Create a backgrounder and a fact sheet on the topic of your SWOT group presentation.  You can choose to write your backgrounder and fact sheet in a supportive or a critical context.

For example, if you are in the group doing the SWOT on Donald Trump, you can choose to do your backgrounder and fact sheet from either one of these perspectives:

• His campaign management seeking to boost Trump’s public image.
• An immigrant rights group opposed to Trump’s rhetoric.

Once you choose “pro” or “con,” stick with that position for both the backgrounder and fact sheet.

The backgrounder and fact sheet should be about 250-300 words each, or about one to one-and-a-half pages, double spaced.  However, don’t be concerned about your word count; I am just using these numbers as a guide.

Also, there is no need to incorporate logos or graphics; content is what matters.  Be sure to clearly label with the words “Fact Sheet” or “Backgrounder” along with your name.

As a reminder, a backgrounder incorporates some history and context, while a fact sheet is just that — more factual.  The writing style of a backgrounder is more prose, while a fact sheet typically uses bullet points or short, easy-to-read sentences.  Click here for the “Backgrounder vs. Fact Sheet” hand-out distributed earlier this semester.

Both the backgrounder and the fact sheet should be emailed to mark.j.grossman@hofstra.edu by 6pm on December 22.

Extra Credit (5 points maximum to grading rubric)

Taking the same approach as above, write a press release on your SWOT topic. You can pick the “issue” (ie. an announcement, an event, a reply to an allegation, a launch of an initiative, a response to a crisis). The press release should be about 300-400 words. Like the assignment noted above, it should be emailed to mark.j.grossman@hofstra.edu by 6pm on December 22.