ENGL 230: Writing for Business & Technology

Memo Assignment

Course Outcomes

  1. Analyze situations, audiences, and desired goals to determine the written format appropriate to the purpose of the message.

  2. Produce clear and concise computer-generated letters, memos, reports, and proposals.

  3. Create written communications that promote positive interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and/or international relations.


This assignment is worth 10% of your final grade, and it is due on Tuesday, June 19th.


Choose one of the following exercises from the book. You must choose a different one than the one you chose for the E-mail Assignment:


Ex. 8.26 on p. 248 Confirmation Memo

Ex. 8.27 on p. 249 Confirmation Memo

Ex. 8.28 on p. 249 Confirmation Memo


You will submit your response as a memo. All formatting and style conventions must be followed. See p. 226 in the book (Figure 8.3) for memo formatting tips.


Try to keep the following in mind:


See the grading rubric on the back for more information, and please ask if you have any questions.

A 9 – 10 pts

B 8 – 8.9 pts

C 7 – 7.9 pts

F 6-6.9 pts

Total

Content is concise, and all necessary information is included.

Content is somewhat concise and most of the necessary information is included.

Content is not concise OR much of the necessary information is missing.

Content is not concise AND much of the necessary information is missing.


To, From, Date, and Subject line fields are all filled in appropriately

To, From, Date, and Subject line fields are all filled in

To, From, Date, and Subject line fields are all filled in (2 out of 4)

To, From, Date, and Subject line fields are not filled in


Subject line summarizes central idea and is concise

Subject line summarizes central idea

Subject line nearly summarizes central idea

Subject line does not summarize central idea


Opening is direct and clear

Opening is direct

Opening is partially direct

Opening is not direct


Purpose is clearly restated in opening

Purpose is restated in opening

Purpose is present in opening

Purpose is not present in opening


Body provides all required information and background in a clear, concise manner

Body provides all information and background

Body provides some information and background

Body does not provide enough information and background


Graphic highlighting techniques are used appropriately for easy comprehension

Graphic highlighting techniques are used

Graphic highlighting techniques are used, but not appropriately

Graphic highlighting techniques are not used


Closing is appropriate, with action information including deadline and method

Closing is appropriate with some action information

Closing is appropriate

Closing is not appropriate


No major formatting errors

Few (1-2) major formatting errors

Major formatting errors that distract from message

Many major formatting errors, making message unclear or incomprehensible


No major spelling or grammatical errors

Few (1-2) major spelling or grammatical errors

Major spelling or grammatical errors that distract from message

Many major spelling or grammatical errors, making message unclear or incomprehensible


Total