DEVRY ENG227 WEEK 3 ROUTINE MESSAGE

Objectives | Guidelines | Grading Rubrics

Objectives

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A large percentage of the writing we do in the workplace involves writing routine, neutral, and/ or goodwill messages. Routine and neutral messages cover a wide range of topics, from the ordinary (e.g., sending colleagues a reminder to attend a meeting) to the more detailed (e.g., updating a supervisor about a project). This week your division manager at E227 Global Solutions has directed you to write a memo sharing some ideas in response to a particular problem that developed. You will then share your memo with your team, and together deliver an analytical report that will be due next week (Week 4).

Start this process by listening to the voice mail your division manager left for you. 

Read the trucking supervisor's email.

Guidelines

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To Complete the Routine Message Assignment:

1. Listen to the voice mail for the subject matter of the message you will write.
2. Refer to the trucking supervisor's email for additional information about the problem underlying this week's assignment. (NOTE TO STUDENTS: you will use this material again in Week 4.)
3. Complete the Week 3 Routine Message Planning Questionnaire found in Doc Sharing. Insert your responses directly into the questionnaire.
4. Write the message in the appropriate document format your division manager specified in his/her voice mail.
5. Add the written message to a new page on the Planning Questionnaire and submit as ONE Word document. (To add a new page at the end of your questionnaire, place your cursor after the last item on the questionnaire and press CONTROL and ENTER.)
6. Submit the completed Planning Questionnaire and your written message to your Dropbox by the due date/time.

Specific Content Guidelines for the Routine Message

The written response will be formatted as a memo with headings/subheadings, bullets, tables, etc. in the body of the message for easy readability. The following items are to be included in the memo:

• Paragraph briefly introducing the issue
• Your ideas to address the problem
• Team identity – members’ names and contact information (phone numbers and email addresses). Identify the team leader or project facilitator and documentation coordinator.
  A list of all individual-specific tasks (not just the major deliverables) needed to complete the project, including due dates for each task, and personnel responsible. Present this information in table format.
• Concluding paragraph

Teams who are clear on the norms and expectations of the group, as well as individuals being clear on their specific responsibilities and due dates for deliverables, are more likely to be successful and less likely to experience negative conflict.

A Successful Message will include the following:

• The message written in the proper document format.
• Accurate and thoughtful responses to each planning question.
• Evidence the writer fully and firmly grasps the purpose/goals of the message.
• Full and complete original text that reflects audience needs in relation to the message.
• Proper use of formatting and style (e.g., bullets, headings, lists, etc.).
• An awareness and proper use of all ten writing conventions for professional writing (as appropriate) covered in Week 2.
• Use of proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Grading Rubrics

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Category	Points	%	Description
Audience Profile Questions	15	18.75	Questions have been completed accurately and thoroughly
Content	30	37.5	Fulfills the purpose of the assignment clearly and completely; quality of information; adequate support and development; ideas work together as a unified whole; written in student’s own words
Style and Conventions	20	25	Written for intended audience; professional tone and style; employs clarity, conciseness, fluency, etc.; free of grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. errors
Structure/Organization/Format	15	18.75	Effective document design (e.g., headings, bulleted lists, etc.); formatted correctly in an appropriate medium; information presented in a logical arrangement using the appropriate organization
Total	80	100	A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page.

See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information.