Write A Memo

COMM12423 Professor M. Mercer Case By Professor Vanessa Robinson 1

Assignment 1 [10%]

Due: Week 5 (Word file due in Dropbox before class time–note that Dropbox closes 10 minutes after deadline). *Late submissions will receive a penalty of 10% per day*

Task: Prepare a one-page direct memo following the layout discussed in class and illustrated on page 175 of your textbook. Before you begin, please consult the marking rubric on pp. 2-3.

Remember:

• Employ the direct pattern, use block formatting, include the word MEMORANDUM at the top of the page, and use graphic highlighting such as bullet points, underlining, or numbers to make key items stand out.

• Date the memo with the current date; use your own name and a made-up work title in the ‘from’ line.

• Address it ‘to’ the employees at your office. • CC your director; invent a name. • Ensure you have a clear and direct subject line. • Your memo should be ¾ to one page long. Anything shorter than ¾ of a page will not

allow you to go into the detail necessary for this case study. Anything much longer than one page suggests that your writing could be more concise.

Case:

You are the office manager of a small retailer in the GTA (the type of retail is your choice). Last week, your director asked you to create the website for a company blog, which will be used to promote products and the company brand. The website is now up and running, and ready for its first posts.

Your director has now asked you to write a memo to all employees in the office, in which you ask for volunteers to contribute posts to the company blog. In addition to making this request, your memo should explain what a blog is, why your company has created one, how it will benefit the company, and how employees can benefit from contributing to it (i.e. reader benefits). Aim to promote goodwill to your readers through tone and content. Use graphic highlighting (lists, boldface, underline, etc.) to make the memo easy to read and to emphasize key ideas. Think about your purpose (to persuade your readers to post on the blog) and your audience (the employees of the office); what do your readers need to know in order to be persuaded?

Use your knowledge of blogs to help you create the content of this memo; you may also refer to the section on blogs in your textbook (Chap. 7). No additional research should be conducted for this assignment. Remember: Copying information without providing credit to the source is plagiarism and will result in a zero grade.

COMM12423 Professor M. Mercer Case By Professor Vanessa Robinson 2

Assignment 2 - Rubric Name: ____________________________ Total: /20

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. Graphic highlighting is used effectively. Audience’s needs are exactly met. Content exceeds expectations.

All necessary details are provided. 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

Tone is courteous and professional. Language is mostly

Tone is courteous and mostly professional.

Tone is not always courteous and lacks

Tone is impolite and lacks professional-ism. Word choices are

COMM12423 Professor M. Mercer Case By Professor Vanessa Robinson 3

Criteria 5

Exceptional

4 Very Good

3 Meets

Expectations

2 Needs

Improvement

1 Very Unsatis-

factory

0 Does not meet any

of the criteria

straightforward and lacks any wordiness. Excellent use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

straightforward and lacks wordiness. Good use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

Language is somewhat straightforward but may include wordiness. Some use of you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

professional- ism. Language is not straightforwar d and quite wordy. No you-view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.

very awkward and wordy. No you- view, positive emphasis, and reader benefits.