N.N Assigmnent

Rubric for Negative News – Memo option

Element

Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations

Points

Received

Format

1. Starts with To, From, Subject, Date

2. Subject is specific 3. Date is spelled out 4. Memo is single spaced and

left justified

5. Memo uses white space effectively

6. Memo uses appropriate headings that accurately

represent the information in

each section (these headings

do not need to be the same

headings used for your

persuasive memo)

7. Headings are "set-off" from the text in some way (Bold,

larger font size, etc)

Clear layout that addresses

all of required format

elements. No distracting

issues that affect how

quickly a reader can scan

the document for pertinent

information.

9-10 points

Clear layout that

addresses most of the

required format elements.

A couple of issues that

may affect how quickly a

reader can scan the

document for pertinent

information.

7-8 points

Three or more missing or

confusing format

elements. A reader will

likely have difficulty

quickly scanning the

document for pertinent

information.

< 7 points

Content

The content addresses all

of the required aspects. It

follows the indirect

approach. The memo

focuses on pertinent

The content addresses

many of the required

elements. It may struggle

in providing pertinent

information, anticipating

The content does not

address many of the

elements. It may be

vague or unclear in its

request. It struggles with

The memo follows the indirect

approach and follows these

guidelines:

• Includes a buffer

• Provides a clear statement of

bad news

• Provides reasons and

anticipates concerns

• Gains acceptance for this

change

• Shows how this negative can

be seen as a positive

• Gives a respectful closing

• Avoids belaboring the bad

news

• Looks at this situation from

the reader’s perspective

information that a reader

would need while also

keeping in mind possible

objections and anticipating

the readers’ concerns. It

views this request from the

reader’s perspective.

52-65 points

possible objections, or

anticipating a reader’s

questions. It views might

occasionally falter with

viewing this request from

the reader’s perspective.

38-51 points

at least two of the

following: providing

pertinent information,

anticipating possible

objections, and

anticipating a reader’s

questions. It struggles

with focusing on the

reader’s perspective.

< 38 points

Tone

• The overall tone is polite and

professional

• The letter maintains goodwill

with the employees

The tone is consistently

professional. There are

little if any concerns

15-20 points

The tone is fairly

professional. There are a

couple of minor issues

that affect how the

document may be

received.

10-14 points

The tone is

unprofessional overall,

or there is at least one

major issue that will

affect how the document

is received.

< 10 points

Proofreading

• Few if any proofreading errors

Two points are taken off for every major grammar error. Those errors are

highlighted in yellow. One point is taken off for all proofreading errors. Those 5

errors are highlighted in green. You may regain points for grammar errors.

Everyone starts with 5 points.

Total