Connect Rubric for Bad-News Message Assignment (10/17/14)
Area of
Evaluation
Excellent
Organization Provides a brief buffer
– Buffer
that establishes common
ground, shows
appreciation, states
sympathy, or otherwise
expresses goodwill. (30)
Organization Provides a rationale for
– Rationale
the bad news that is clear
and specific. (20)
Organization Delivers the bad news all
– Bad News together early (after the
buffer) in the message.
(10)
Organization Includes a constructive,
– Focus on
forward-looking approach
Future
with realistic solutions,
steps to overcome the
current problem, and/or
the benefits that current
sacrifices make possible.
(20)
Organization Demonstrates good will.
– Show of
Includes personal
Goodwill
statements that reflect a
desire for a positive future
relationship. (20)
Good
Provides a brief
personal buffer, but
doesn't express
goodwill. (27)
Satisfactory
Provides a brief
impersonal
buffer, and
doesn't express
goodwill. (24)
Rationale for the bad
news is present, but
more information
would have provided
a clearer
understanding. Some
verbiage is not clear.
(18)
Delivers the bad news
all together in the
middle of the
message. (9)
Includes a
constructive, forwardlooking approach but
more information
would have provided
a clearer
understanding. Some
verbiage is not clear.
(18)
Provides an
impersonal statement
that reflects a desire
for a future
relationship. (18)
Rationale for
the bad news is
present, but
information is
extremely brief
and not explicit.
(16)
Total Points: ____ /200
Developing
Provides an extensive
buffer that is too long
or an otherwise
inappropriate buffer
(i.e., not included in
prior level). (21)
Rationale for the bad
news is vague or
incongruous. (14)
Unsatisfactory
Buffer is not
identifiable. (0)
Delivers the bad
news in pieces
throughout the
document. (8)
Forward-looking
approach is
extremely brief,
and vague in
places. (16)
Delivers the bad news
all together only at the
end of the message. (7)
Does not clearly
state the bad news
or bad news is not
identifiable. (0)
Forward-looking
approach is not
identifiable. (0)
Statement
regarding a
positive future
relationship is
extremely brief.
(16)
Vague indication of a
No indication for a
desire for a positive
positive future
future relationship. (14) relationship. (0)
Forward-looking
approach is vague the
majority of the time.
(14)
Rationale for the
bad news is not
identifiable. (0)
Explanation
Area of
Evaluation Excellent
Formatting Appropriate format (e.g.,
email, memo, or letter).
Correct structure. (20)
Tone
Message is professional,
written in a positive tone,
and personalized. Reflects
genuine concern. (30)
Writing
Style
The writing style ensures
ease of reading with
completeness (including
accuracy and specificity),
conciseness, and a natural
style. The document is
designed for easy
navigation. (30)
The message is free of any
errors in grammar,
spelling, and punctuation.
(20)
Language
Mechanics
Good
Appropriate format,
but minor errors in
structure. (18)
Message is
professional and
written in a positive
tone, but impersonal
or genuine concern is
vague. (27)
The writing style
ensures ease of
reading with
completeness, but
organization and/or
design are difficult to
navigate. (27)
Very few errors (1-2)
of 1-2 different types
of errors (e.g.,
subject/verb
agreement or
punctuation). (18)
Satisfactory
Appropriate
format, but
significant errors in
structure. (16)
Message is
professional, but
tends to have a
negative tone. (24)
Developing
Incorrect format, but
structure is correct
for format chosen.
(14)
Message has an
unprofessional tone
in places, but is not
offensive. (21)
The writing style is
clear in parts, and
organization and/or
design are difficult
to navigate. Some
information is not
specific. (24)
Some lapses or flaws
in organization, idea
development or
focus. (21)
More than 2
instances of 2-3
different types of
error (e.g.,
subject/verb
agreement,
article/preposition
use or
punctuation). (16)
More than 2
instances of multiple
types of errors (e.g.,
2 subject/verb
agreement errors, 1
verb tense error, 1
punctuation error).
(14)
Unsatisfactory
Incorrect format
and errors in
structure. (0)
Multiple instances
of unprofessional
writing throughout
document, some of
which could be
offensive. (0)
Frequent
organizational
flaws, uneven
development of
ideas, or uncertain
focus. (0)
Errors so severe
they detract from
meaning or multiple
types of errors. (0)
Explanation