Assignment 2: Block Business Letter
Due Week 4 and worth 150 points
Steps to Complete Assignment Two:
1) Consider a professional scenario you have addressed in previous professional settings or are currently dealing with at work or choose one of the professional scenarios provided in Blackboard under the Week 4 tab.
2) Write a Block Business Letter from the perspective of company management. It must provide bad news to the recipient and follow the guidelines outlined in Chapter 7: Delivering Bad-News Messages in BCOM7 (pages 110-128).
3) In addition to your block email you will use the insert comment box function in Word to add at least 5 comments to your letter that explains why you made the choices you did in your email. For example, you might have a comment box that briefly (1-3 sentences) explains why you chose to use a friendly greeting to an employee who had a broken a rule. If you still have questions about the reflection, do not worry! I will give more examples and provide a sample before this project is due!
* The message should take the block business letter form from the posted example; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.
The block business letter must adhere to the following requirements:
1. Content:
a. Address the communication issue from the scenario.
b. Provide bad news from the company to the recipient.
c. Concentrate on the facts of the situation and use either the inductive or deductive approach.
d. Assume your recipient has previously requested a review of the situation via email, letter, or personal meeting with management.
e. After completing your email, add at least 5 comment boxes where you reflect on specific choices you made in your letter.
2. Format:
a. Include the proper introductory elements (sender’s address, date, recipient’s address). You may create any details necessary in the introductory elements to complete the assignment.
b. Provide an appropriate and professional greeting / salutation.
c. Single space paragraphs and double space between paragraphs.
d. Limit the letter to one page in length.
3. Clarity / Mechanics:
a. Focus on clarity, writing mechanics, and professional language/style requirements.
b. Run spell/grammar check before submitting.
Your assignment must:
· Be typed, single-spaced within paragraphs/elements and double spaced between the paragraphs/elements, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Your professor may provide additional instructions.
Submitting your assignment:
· Submit your assignment through the online course shell only.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
1. Plan, create, and evaluate professional documents.
2. Write clearly, coherently, and persuasively using proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting appropriate to the situation.
3. Deliver professional information to various audiences using appropriate tone, style, and format.
4. Analyze professional communication examples to assist in revision.
| Points: 150 | Assignment 2: Block Business Letter | ||||
| Criteria | Unacceptable
Below 60% F |
Meets Minimum Expectations
60-69% D |
Fair
70-79% C |
Proficient
80-89% B |
Exemplary
90-100% A |
| 1. Submission meets the content requirements outlined in assignment details.
Weight: 30% |
Submission content missing multiple required elements, has multiple issues with development of content, or does not relate to the stated requirements. | Submission missing at least one noted content requirement and has multiple issues with development of provided content items. | Submission is missing at least one requirement or has specific development issues with provided content items. | Submission includes all stated requirements and most are well developed. | Submission includes all stated requirements and is well developed. |
| 2. Assignment meets the format requirements outlined in assignment details.
Weight: 25% |
Assignment makes little or no attempt to meet the stated format requirements. | Assignment is missing at least two format requirements (or there are major errors as noted in comments). | Assignment is missing at least one format requirement and/or has 4-5 minor errors. | Assignment includes all stated format requirements and has 2-3 minor errors. | Assignment includes all stated format requirements and has 0-1 minor errors. |
| 3. Audience, purpose, and overall effectiveness of the Block Business Letter.
Weight: 30% |
The Block Business letter is not properly targeted, the purpose is unclear, and/or the message is ineffective in achieving its goal(s). | The Block Business letter has major errors in at least two of the areas (audience, purpose, or overall effectiveness). | The Block Business letter has a major error in at least one of the areas (audience, purpose, or overall effectiveness). | The Block Business letter mostly addresses the proper audience, generally achieves its purpose, and is somewhat effective. | The Block Business letter addresses the proper audience, achieves its purpose, and is effective. |
| 4. Clarity, writing mechanics, professional language/style requirements.
Weight: 15% |
More than 8 errors present. | 7-8 errors present. | 5-6 errors present. | 3-4 errors present. | 0-2 errors present. |