Ozark Apples, Inc.

The Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar Employee Handbook is an informative document given to every new employee at the beginning of their employment with Ozark Apples, Inc. (OA). The handbook provides employees with general information about OA and company policies. It is designed to be an easy reference, so employees can find the answers to their questions as quickly as possible.

The handbook acted as a reference for employees and was well-organized, but there were several problems that became evident as I read through it. I recommended a number of emendations that I planned to complete during the course of the project. For example, the author frequently changed his tone from formal to very conversational and then back again. Visually, the document needed to be more consistent. Headings and sub-headings varied in their styles, some of the text was typed in a font other than the rest, and most of the text was typed using a sans-serif font. In addition, the tables were inconsistent and some continue from one page to the next. There were also some inconsistencies regarding the use of proper nouns.

Style Sheet

The style sheet in an abbreviated form of the style guide. It features choices that I made about the document and assisted me as I edited. The style sheet includes design, grammar, and information specific to the document.

Audience Analysis Memo

The audience analysis memo evaluated OA employees, so the handbook will fit their needs. I considered the employees’ educations, professional experience, job responsibilities, personal characteristics, personal preferences, attitudes toward the manual, and cultural characteristics. I also evaluated how the employees would use the document and the physical environment in which it would be used.

Graphic Elements Memo

The graphic elements memo evaluated the visual state of the handbook. I made sure that all the visuals conveyed the intended information, that they supported the text, and that they were appropriate for the audience. I also analyzed the number and length of paragraphs, page orientation, headings, lists, and type styles. I explained how and why I chose to make the changes I did.

Style Guide

The style guide for the handbook served as a guidebook to me and to others who work on the document in the future. The style guide lists information including grammar issues, style questions, and design choices.

Levels of Edit

There were four levels of editing I completed for this project. First, I checked for coherence, organization, and complete ideas in the substantive edit. I also added new information and deleted unnecessary information. For the language edit, I checked for grammar and mechanics, and I fixed the appearance of the handbook during the format edit. Finally, as an integrity edit, I double-checked the table of contents and important facts and figures.

Proofreading Edit
The proofreading edit required a different set of marks than the substantive, language, format, and integrity edits. I used these new marks to edit and revise dead copies of the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar Employee Handbook.

Final Document

The final document was edited in Microsoft Word.