ENGL 230: Writing for Business & Technology
Persuasive Letter Assignment
Course Outcomes
Analyze situations, audiences, and desired goals to determine the written format appropriate to the purpose of the message.
Produce clear and concise computer-generated letters, memos, reports, and proposals.
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 Monday, July 2nd. Submit your letter by printing it out and turning it in.
Choose one of the following exercises from the book:
Ex. 10.21 p. 331
Ex. 10.22 p. 331-2
Ex. 10.23 p. 332
Ex. 10.24 p. 332
You will submit your response as a block letter. All formatting and style conventions must be followed. See p. 258 in the book (Figure 9.3) for letter formatting tips.
Try to keep the following in mind:
Use the indirect pattern
Keep your sentences concise, but include all the necessary information.
The opening should gain the reader’s attention
The body should build interest and reduce resistance
Closing should motivate action and repeat main benefit
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
See the grading rubric on the back for more information, and please ask if you have any questions.
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A 9 – 10 pts |
B 8 – 8.9 pts |
C 7 – 7.9 pts |
F 6-6.9 pts |
Total |
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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. |
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Letter serves to strongly persuade reader |
Letter serves to persuade reader |
Letter is mildly persuasive |
Letter is not persuasive |
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Indirect pattern is used well |
Indirect pattern is used |
Indirect pattern is not used well |
Indirect pattern is not used |
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Body builds strong interest |
Body builds interest |
Body builds weak interest |
Body does not build interest |
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Body strongly reduces resistance |
Body reduces resistance |
Body attempts to reduce resistance |
Body does not reduce resistance |
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Closing clearly motivates action |
Closing motivates action |
Closing mentions action |
Closing does not mention action |
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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 |
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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 |
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Total |
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72 - 80 pts = A 64 – 71 pts = B 56 – 63 pts = C 55 pts or fewer = F |
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