Assignment 8
Discussion Forum for Peer Review
Prewrite and Complete the Letter Draft
This assignment has four important steps.
1. Complete the prewriting for the informative/positive news letter:
You may print the prewriting page and jot notes on it for yourself, or you may write notes on your own.
You do not have to submit prewriting for any points, but don't skip this important step!
2. Complete a draft of the informative/positive news letter:
Choose one of the following human resource cases from Module 10 in your textbook: 10.13, 10.14, 10.16, or 10.17.
If the exercise says write a memo, write a letter. Also address your letter to a specific individual of your own choosing: real or created.
Refer to page 146 in your textbook. Fig. 10.1 contains five boxes: main point, details, negatives, reader benefits, and goodwill ending.
Think of each one of these boxes as being an individual paragraph with the exception of the negatives.
Instead of an individual paragraph for the negatives, combine the negatives (if any exist) in with the reader benefits. Hence, your letter will contain four paragraphs:
State the positive news. Summarize the main points (3-4 lines in length).
Provide details and explain fully. Elaborate on the summary in the first paragraph (5-7 lines in length).
Discuss benefits to the reader. If negatives exist, present them compactly in the middle of the paragraph and link the negatives with the reader benefits (5-7 lines in length).
Goodwill ending. One or two positive, forward looking statements (2-3 lines in length).
3. Submit your draft of your letter in the discussion forum below:
Note: Late drafts will only receive partial credit, but you may still post in order to have a chance at receiving responses.
Post your draft of the letter by the deadline.
Important Formatting Information! - Print a copy of your letter before you submit it online. Make sure your letter is in 12 point type with the correct spacing. Don't let the close (the Sincerely, and your name) go to a second page; you can adjust the top and bottom margin so the close can fit on the same page, but do make sure you have at least a 1 inch margin on the sides.
Below is the sample format for the assignment and tips for completing the Informative/Positive letter.
Company Name Company Address City, State Zip Phone Number
Date
Name of Individual Individual's Title Individual's Company Name Address City, State Zip
Dear Ms. Individual: Choose any of the following exercises and write a letter: 10.13, 10.14, 10.16, or 10.17. (If the exercise says write a memo, write a letter.) Use full block format and follow this example as well as the directions in the prewriting lesson. Refer to page 146, fig 10.1 for more explanation. The first box in the figure--labeled "main point" will be your first paragraph. In the first sentence, give the positive news. Next, include include a summary of the main points. Make this paragraph 3-4 lines.
The second paragraph will include details and must be specific, at least 5-7 lines in length. The letter must include "you" attitude and not use "we, our, my, I" and "the company name _____" in the letter. Use phrases such as "You can..." and "You will receive..."
The third paragraph will contain reader benefits and my also include negatives. Link any negatives to reader benefits. Make this paragraph 5-7 lines. The fourth paragraph will be the goodwill ending: positive outreach and offer of contact. It can be brief, about 2-3 lines.
Sincerely,
Your Name Your Title
Note: Double-space between paragraphs, and include 3-4 spaces between "Sincerely," and "Your Name" for your signature.
Limit the passive voice verbs (is, are, was, were, be, been, being, am).
Finally, before you post your draft or submit your final to the drop box, print your letter and examine it closely. You may gain a new perspective on your letter just by reviewing a printed version.
Due: March 22, 2018 2:00 p.m EST