BADM/ENGL104 – BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
SLO #1
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze a business situation that requires a written
message and determine what the appropriate strategy would be (direct pattern, persuasive
pattern, or negative news pattern).
SLO #1 aligns with Course Objective #5 (Compose and format complex analytical business
letters and memoranda) and #9 (Evaluate alternative behaviors to determine ethical outcomes
in situations involving business communications).
SLO #1 aligns with Department Learning Outcome #2 (Students will analyze data to determine
relevant information needed to produce reports, visual presentations and other business
documents.).
SLO #2
Students will demonstrate the ability to compose a business message using the strategies for
direct pattern for routine messages, indirect pattern for persuasive messages, and indirect
pattern for negative news messages.
SLO #2 aligns with Course Objective #2 (Compare those elements of writing style that are both
helpful and harmful in achieving written business communication goals, and create documents
that effectively employ those elements that are helpful—such as clear, concise, coherent, and
courteous language—while avoiding those elements that are harmful—such as slang, or trite or
outdated language) and #5 (Compose and format complex analytical business letters and
memoranda) and #9 (Evaluate alternative behaviors to determine ethical outcomes in
situations involving business communications).
SLO #2 aligns with Department Learning Outcome #1 (Students will communicate effectively
through appropriate modes of communication (listening, speaking, reading, writing) as they
pertain to the business environment with emphasis on the use of computer technology).
SLO #3
Students will demonstrate the ability to correctly format business e-mails, letters, and
memos.
SLO #3 aligns with Course Objective #5 (Compose and format complex analytical business
letters and memoranda).
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SLO #3 aligns with Department Learning Outcome #1(Students will communicate effectively
through appropriate modes of communication (listening, speaking, reading, writing) as they
pertain to the business environment with emphasis on the use of computer technology).
ASSESSMENT
All three student learning outcomes will be assessed with an exam question in which students
are given one or more business scenarios that require a written business message. Students
will determine the correct format for the message (e-mail, memo, or letter), analyze the
scenario to determine the correct writing strategy to use (direct pattern, persuasive pattern, or
negative news pattern), and compose the message using appropriate content, tone, and style.
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RUBRIC
Student performance will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Contents
Does Not
Meet 0
No
evidence
Approaches 1-2
Meets 3-4
Exceeds 5
Message
demonstrates
rudimentary level
Message
demonstrates
adequate level
Message
demonstrates
advanced level
 Problem analysis
 Message clarity
 Accuracy of data
 Ethical practices
 Strategy selection
 Problem analysis
 Message clarity
 Accuracy of data
 Ethical practices
 Strategy selection
Message
demonstrates
adequate level
Message
demonstrates
advanced level
 Format selection
 Placement of format
parts
 Acceptable margins
 Proper spacing
 Format selection
 Placement of format
parts
 Acceptable margins
 Proper spacing
Message
demonstrates
adequate level
Message
demonstrates
advanced level
 Problem analysis
 Message clarity
 Accuracy of data
 Ethical practices
 Strategy selection
Format
No
evidence
Message
demonstrates
rudimentary level
 Format selection
 Placement of format
parts
 Acceptable margins
Proper spacing
Mechanics
No
evidence
Message
demonstrates
rudimentary level
 Correct grammar,
punctuation, word
usage, spelling
 Appropriate use of
capitals and numbers
 Appropriate use of
voice, sentence and
paragraph construction
Tone/
Style
No
evidence
 Correct grammar,
punctuation, word
usage, spelling
 Appropriate use of
capitals and numbers
 Appropriate use of
voice, sentence and
paragraph construction
Message
demonstrates
rudimentary level
 Tone not
condescending or
dictatorial
 No language bias
 Appropriate audience
adaption
 Courteous and
positive tone
Appropriate level of
formality
Message
demonstrates
adequate level
 Tone not
condescending or
dictatorial
 No language bias
 Appropriate audience
adaption
 Courteous and
positive ton
 Appropriate level of
formality
Total Score
 Correct grammar,
punctuation, word
usage, spelling
 Appropriate use of
capitals and numbers
 Appropriate use of
voice, sentence and
paragraph construction
Message
demonstrates
advanced level
 Tone not
condescending or
dictatorial
 No language bias
 Appropriate audience
adaption
 Courteous and positive
tone
 Appropriate level of
formality
/20
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Score