Write A Memo

Criteria

5

Exceptional

4

Very Good

3

Meets Expectations

2

Needs Improvement

1

Very Unsatis-factory

0 Does not meet any of the criteria

MEMO

CONTENT

All necessary and relevant details are provided to achieve purpose. Graphic highlighting is used effectively to spotlight important information. Audience’s needs are exactly met. Content exceeds expectations.

All necessary details are provided to achieve purpose. Graphic highlighting is used effectively. Audience’s needs are met.

Most necessary details are provided; one relevant detail may be missing, or some irrelevant details may have been added. Graphic highlighting not used or used ineffectively. Audience’s needs are mostly met.

Few necessary details are provided; several relevant details may be missing, or several irrelevant details may have been added. Graphic highlighting not used or used ineffectively. Audience’s needs have not been met.

Few to no necessary details are provided; many relevant details may be missing, or many irrelevant details may have been added. Graphic highlighting not used or used ineffectively. Audience’s needs have not been met.

MEMO

FORMAT & ORGANIZ-ATION

All required memo elements are present and correctly formatted.

Direct pattern is used correctly. Closing indicates next steps.

All required memo elements are present with one formatting error.

Direct pattern is used somewhat correctly and/or next steps are mostly clear in closing.

All required memo elements are present with two formatting errors.

Direct pattern is not entirely evident and/or next steps are not entirely clear in closing.

One required memo element is missing and/or there are three formatting errors.

Direct pattern is not evident and/or next steps are not indicated in closing.

Two or more required memo elements are missing and/or there are four formatting errors.

Direct pattern is not evident and next steps are not indicated in closing.

LANGUAGE

No grammar/syntax errors.

Very few and only very minor grammar/ syntax errors.

Some grammar/ syntax errors.

Many grammar/ syntax errors.

Many grammar/ syntax errors, to the point that they mar the clarity of ideas.

(0 points)

TONE

Tone is courteous and professional. Language is straightforward, uses familiar sounding words, and lacks any wordiness. Excellent use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

Tone is courteous and professional. Language is mostly straightforward, uses familiar sounding words, and lacks wordiness. Good use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

Tone is courteous and mostly professional. Language is somewhat straightforward but may include wordiness or unfamiliar words. Some use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

Tone is not always courteous and lacks professional-ism. Language is not straightforward and quite wordy, and uses many unfamiliar words. No you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

Tone is impolite and lacks professional-ism. Word choices are very awkward and wordy, and uses many unfamiliar words. No you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.