Q What is it: A negative letter is a routine document created to share disappointing news. Purpose: The purpose of the negative letter is to inform the reader of bad news. You also need the reader to read, understand, and accept the news. The final goal is to maintain as much goodwill as possible. Goals: You also have secondary goals: • To build a good image of the writer (you) in the mind of the reader. • To build a good image of your organization despite the bad news. • To reduce or eliminate future correspondence on the same subject so the message doesn't create more work for you as a writer. Assignment Instructions Tasks: Your negative letter should address the following scenario/prompt • Your reader needs to know they have been taken seriously, that your decision is fair and reasonable, and that if they were in your shoes that they would make the same decision. • Prompt: You will respond, as an official from the organization/company/location from whom you experienced negative service, to your own complaint. You will draft and sign the negative business letter as the individual noted from your own research. Format: Business letters must be formatted in a specific manner. This information is contained in the chapter on business letters you read for this module. If you don't remember this information, consult the textbook. Length: 200-300 words (one page, single-spaced) Remember: Have fun with the assignment and think about the image and brand for your company. It might be worth reading through other documents from the company or their social media feeds to get an idea of the language and tone used. For example, Wendy's has a very sarcastic tone on Twitter (and it is well documented), and while you need to be professional in your letter, it would make sense that your tone would change based on the company brand. Word choice and style are part of creating the personality of your company and building the characterization of your company as positive in the minds of potential customers or neighbors. View Rubric GEB3213 Assignment Rubric GEB3213 Assignment Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts Rhetorical Situation view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing engages the correct audience, purpose, and genre for the assignment. It does so through a thoughtful analysis of the prompt and creates an expected document that conforms to genre conventions in style. 21 pts Accomplished The writing engages the correct genre, purpose, and audience. Document only conforms to most of the genre expectations. 17 pts Developing The writing is in the correct genre, but audience or purpose may be incorrect at the outset or fluctuate during the written text. Document conforms to some genre expectations, but not a majority of them. 10 pts Beginning The writing fails to meet the minimum requirements of the assignment. It does not engage the prompt through the correct genre, audience, or purpose. The document produced does not conform to genre expectations. / 25 pts Organization view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing flows smoothly and logically. It contains the appropriate organizational style for the assignment and shows evidence of consideration for the audience beyond expectations for level of course. 21 pts Accomplished The writing is organized logically and flows well. The organizational style may shift once in the assignment but the attempt to adhere to one style is clearly identified. Section headings are utilized when appropriate. 17 pts Developing The writing demonstrates some attempts at organization but is not consistent and needed to be revised before submission to adhere to prompt guidelines. Some section headings may be present when appropriate. 10 pts Beginning The writing is noticeably lacking in organization. Paragraphing and/or header sections may not be appropriate. / 25 pts Style view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing engages the reader through a prose style appropriate to the assignment. Language is precise. Conforms to the 7 Cs and proper APA style for format and citation (internal and final). 21 pts Accomplished The writing keeps the reader’s attention through a carefully crafted prose style. Language chosen is appropriate to the subject but may need further work on one or two of the 7 Cs. Often conforms to APA format and citation but may have some errors in either. 17 pts Developing The writing is clear but could be expressed in a style more appropriate to the subject. Some specific terms are not explained when necessary. Needs additional work on more than three of the 7 Cs. Adheres to some APA format and citation rules, but the citations and/or format may be incorrect more often than correct. 10 pts Beginning The writing lacks clarity and is sometimes confusing. The language chosen is not appropriate to the subject nor the assignment. Needs additional work in nearly all categories of the 7 Cs of communication as defined in the course. No evidence of attempt at engaging APA format or citation in the document. / 25 pts Mechanics view longer description 25 pts Exemplary The writing contains sentences that are nearly always complete and grammatically correct, and free of confusion and ambiguity. 21 pts Accomplished The writing contains sentences that are incomplete, or which imply unstated connections and/or conclusions. The writing may exhibit a few patterns of error, but understanding is not impeded. 17 pts Developing The writing contains some patterns of error, but the reader can understand the meaning of the sentence with some effort. There is some evidence of proofreading, editing, or rewriting. 10 pts Beginning The writing contains multiple patterns of error, and the reader cannot understand the meaning of the sentence. There is no evidence of proofreading, editing, or rewriting. / 25 pts Total Points: 0