The ability to write a persuasive message in business communication is an important skill. Occasionally, you will need to deliver bad news within your message. In this assignment, you will practice the skill of writing a persuasive memo containing negative news.
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST, Sunday of Unit 5
Points: 100
Overview:
The ability to write a persuasive message in business communication is an important
skill. Occasionally, you will need to deliver bad news within your message. In this
assignment, you will practice the skill of writing a persuasive memo containing negative
news.
Instructions:
• Choose one of the following options to complete:
o You are a member of the Finance Department for Post Corporation, as
well as a trusted colleague and CEO. Upon analysis of the financial
statements, you have determined that the amount of debt the company
has is too much to come back from using normal business procedures
given the declining performance in recent years, due to alternative
purchasing methods by customers. Your task is to write a persuasive
memo to the CEO explaining why you feel that the best action to take
going forward is to close the stores. Focus on the tone of the memo. You
can use outside resources to help prove your point – be sure to cite any
outside sources in APA format.
o You are the CEO of Post Corporation and you have just received the
report from the Finance Department regarding the inability of the company
to pay off its debt. Reluctantly, the only option is to liquidate all the
inventory in order to salvage as much money as possible before closing
the stores. Your task is to compose a memo directed to the organization’s
stakeholders, which includes employees, the Board of Directors, senior
management, customers and/or suppliers. In the memo, focusing on the
tone, explain the rationale for the decision to close the stores.
Requirements:
• Use memo format to communicate a clear message.
• Write your memo in professional style and tone.
BUS311 – Managerial Communications
Persuasive and Negative Messages
• Cite resources using APA format.
Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write
and again after you write.
Evaluation Rubric for Persuasive and Negative Messages Assignment
CRITERIA Deficient Needs
Improvement
Proficient Exemplary
(0-13.9
points)
(14-15.9
points)
(16-17.9
points)
(18-20 points)
Substance The
assignment is
incomplete.
The assignment
lacks both detail
and substance.
The
assignment is
complete but
lacks some
details and
substance.
The message
contains
relevant, on-
topic detail and
substance.
Organization Memo format
is not used.
There is no
structure to the
memo.
There is an
attempt at
memo format,
but there are
some
organizational
issues.
Memo format
is used, but
there are some
organizational
issues.
Memo format
is used, and
the structure
substantially
communicates
a clear
message.
Tone Professional
tone/style is
not employed.
Professional
tone/style is
inconsistent.
Professional
tone/style is
consistent.
Professional
tone/style is
carefully
crafted and
enhances the
message.
Sentence
Structure,
Word Choice
and
Transitions
Sentence
structure and
word choice
are deficient;
no transitions.
Sentence
structure is
lacking, word
choice is poor;
some
transitions.
Sentence
structure
exists, but
does not vary,
word choice is
good;
transitions
employed.
Sentences are
complete, and
their structure
and length are
varied, creating
fluidity.
Excess,
phrases and
sentences are
eliminated for
greater clarity.
Concise style
with transitions
employed.
Grammar,
Punctuation,
and Spelling;
Error-free
writing
Writing with
significant
errors.
Writing with
some errors.
Writing with
few grammar,
punctuation, or
spelling errors.
Writing with no
errors.
