Step 1 Make capitalization corrections.

Correct capitalization for the following sentences.

  • Orson Welles's Mercury Theater radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" caused mass panic and hysteria on October 30, 1938.
  • Before the lecture began, the instructor spoke briefly to the students, stating, "Welcome to Pre-algebra Mathematics 130."
  • Several students who plan to major in the social and behavior sciences meet on Tuesday and Thursday to discuss many issues, including the impact of Jeffersonian democracy on contemporary society.
  • We were unable to distinguish the honors students from those on academic probation based on their dress, social affiliations, musical preferences, or ethnicity.
  • The Scarsdale passengers enjoyed the scenic bus route that passed such stores as Macy's, Gourmet Cook, and Periwinkle's Tonsorial Parlor.

Step 2 Explain the corrections.

For each of the five (5) sentences you corrected, answer the following questions:

  • Why did you make the changes you did to the sentence?
  1. Proper names must be capitalized, including names of people, theaters, and shows.
  2. The beginning of a sentence in a quote is capitalized as well as the name of a course in college.
  3. Names of days are capitalized and the name of a man.
  4. First letter of a sentence is capitalized.
  5. The name of a city is capitalized, and the proper name of stores.
  • List the rule (or rules) that state how the original sentence was incorrect.

Step 3Read a scenario.

WorldConnect Language Services started well and is going strong. However, to expand beyond your Memphis, Tennessee, home market, you need a one-time infusion of cash to open branch offices in other cities around the Southeast. At the Entrepreneur's Lunch Forum you attended yesterday, you learned about severalangels, as they are called in the investment community—private individuals who invest money in small companies in exchange for a share of ownership. One such angel, Melinda Sparks, told the audience that she is looking for investment opportunities outside of high technology, where angels often invest their money. She also indicated that she looks for entrepreneurs who know their industries and markets well, who are passionate about the value they bring to the marketplace, who are committed to growing their businesses, and who have a solid plan for how they will spend an investor's money. Fortunately, you meet all of her criteria.

Step 4Compose a persuasive message.

Use a word processor to draft an email message to Sparks, introducing yourself and your business and asking for a meeting at which you would present your business plan in more detail. Explain that your Memphis office was booked to capacity within two months of opening, thanks to the growing number of international businesses looking for translators and interpreters. You've researched the entire Southeast region and have identified at least 10 other cities that could support a language services office such as yours. Making up whatever other information you need, draft a four-paragraph message following the AIDA method, ending with a request for a meeting within the next four weeks. Your response should be 1 page in length.

Dear Ms. Sparks:

Let me introduce myself. My name is Lee Smith and I am the founder and CEO of world Connect Language Services. My business was started in Memphis, Tennessee and was booked to capacity within two months of its launch, due to the tremendous need for translators and interpreters. Research has shown that at least 10 other cities in the Southeast U.S. would support a business such as mine, but at this time, our company lacks the capital to do such an expansion.

You spoke at the Entrepreneur’s Lunch Forumwhich I recently attended. It is my understanding that you are looking for a non-technology based business in which to invest. I believe World Connect Language Services would be the ideal opportunity for you and would be an ideal fit to grow our business. It would allow for the expansion to the other cities as is our business plan to reach throughout the Southeast. Your advantage would, of course, be a share of the business.

I am totally committed to this business and to its growth. Your money would be safe in this company. With my desire and hard work, World Connect Language Services is already expanding and growing, but has its limits of course, without more investment capital. It would take approximately $250,000.00 to begin the planned expansion according to our business plan. This would be your stake in the company. Currently, the business is valued at $ 75,000.00

I would very much like to meet with you within the next month, to discuss my company and to answer any questions you might have about the business itself and to present a written business plan as well as the financials of the company so far. It would be a pleasure to work with you and to have you as a part of this company which I am proud to lead. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lee Smith