ENG 2031 Business Messages Portfolio
For this portfolio, complete the following three writing assignments. Use the tips and guidelines you have
learned throughout this module and demonstrate your knowledge of effective business writing. Each
assignment will be graded on its content in relation to the type of business message the prompt specifies,
organization, correctness, and format. The portfolio should be ONE document composed of all the writing
assignments listed below with a page break between each assignment. You must earn 80 on the final product
to proceed to the next module.
1. Neutral Message -- 35 points
Imagine that you work for a local television station. Because of recent bomb threats to your building,
facility management will implement new security procedures. In the past employees could freely
enter any part of the building, but beginning in two weeks, employees will have to swipe ID badges
to access any area beyond the lobby/reception area. This includes all exterior doors except the front
entrance during regular business hours and all exterior doors after regular hours as well as all
corridors off the lobby area.
Task: As the facility management communications coordinator, write a memo to all employees
explaining the rationale for the new procedure, where to obtain the new ID badge, and how the
process will work. Invent additional details you believe necessary to complete this task. Use correct
memo format. This memo will be sent electronically and in print to all employees.
2. Bad News Message – 35 points
Imagine you manage the conventions department at a hotel. John, one of your employees, meets with
potential clients wishing to utilize the hotel for special events. John emailed you this morning
requesting a new laptop specifically for client presentations. John has worked for the company only a
month and his email was short with only the request and not justification for such a purchase at this
time. You know John has access to a PC with presentation capabilities in the department’s meeting
room.
Task: Write an email to John denying his request. Your reasons include his limited time at the
company, his presumptuous tone, and budget limitations. You do not wish to discourage John’s ideas,
yet you wish to encourage more thought when making requests in the future.
3. Reflective Letter -- 30 points
Reflection is a great way to discover development in your ideas, your beliefs, and of course, your
skills as a writer. You might now see changes in yourself that you didn’t see before.
Your task: Write a reflection on your experience in ENG 2031 Fundamentals of Business
Communication. Use business letter format and address it to your instructor with his/her college
address. Maintain a business writing tone. Be sure to answer all of the following questions in a wellorganized letter:
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What was your attitude toward business writing before beginning this course?
What new ideas or skills did you learn? Be specific when discussing concepts from the study
materials
What aspect of the course, or information, do you feel was most beneficial to you?
Do you feel you have grown as a business writer? If so, in what ways? If not, what
recommendations do you have for the course?
What writing advice do you have for future students of this course and for those in the business
field?
Business Messages Portfolio
Needs Revision
Neutral
Message
Content
Weak
14 Points
Weak demonstration of
12 Points
Revisions needed to
characteristics of type of
adhere to type of
message for audience and
message characteristics, prompt requirements -tone inappropriate at
important information
times and hinders
omitted, tone inappropriate at
message
times, weak audience
awareness.
Good
Excellent
16 Points
Good demonstration of
characteristics of type of
message for audience
and prompt
requirements.
20 Points
Excellent
demonstration of
characteristics of type
of message for
audience and prompt
requirements.
12 Points
Good adherence to
grammar and
10.5 Points
No more than two major errors punctuation rules with
in grammar and punctuation; few minor errors; and
some minor errors in format good adherence to
format for specified
prompt
14 Points
Weak demonstration of
12 Points
16 Points
Revisions needed to
characteristics of type of
Good demonstration of
message for audience and
Bad News adhere to type of
characteristics of type of
Message message characteristics, prompt requirements -message for audience
important information
Content tone inappropriate at
and prompt
times and hinders
omitted, tone inappropriate at
requirements.
message
times, weak audience
awareness.
12 Points
Good adherence to
9 Points
No more than four
grammar and
10.5 Points
Bad News
major errors in
No more than two major errors punctuation rules with
Message
grammar and
in grammar and punctuation; few minor errors; and
Correctness
punctuation; a major
some minor errors in format good adherence to
error in format
format for specified
prompt
9 Points
No more than four
Neutral
major errors in
Message
grammar and
Correctness
punctuation; a major
error in format
9 Points
Some questions not
Reflective
addressed or multiple
Letter
questions addressed
Content
with little thought; tone
inappropriate at times.
9 Points
No more than four
Reflective
major errors in
Letter
grammar and
Correctness
punctuation; a major
error in format
15 Points
Excellent grammar,
punctuation, and
format for specified
prompt
20 Points
Excellent
demonstration of
characteristics of type
of message for
audience and prompt
requirements.
15 Points
Excellent grammar,
punctuation, and
format for specified
prompt
15 Points
10.5 Points
12 Points
Excellent
Some weaknesses in reflection Good demonstration of
demonstration of
on all questions presented in thoughtful reflection
thoughtful reflection
prompt or lack of development prompted from questions
prompted from
in some areas; some minor
in prompt; effective
questions in prompt;
slips in tone.
tone.
effective tone.
12 Points
Good adherence to
15 Points
grammar and
10.5 Points
Excellent grammar,
No more than two major errors punctuation rules with
punctuation, and
in grammar and punctuation; few minor errors; and
format for specified
some minor errors in format good adherence to
prompt
format for specified
prompt