Assignment #2: Block Business Letter

Due Week 4 and worth 150 points

Choose one of the professional scenarios provided in Blackboard under the Student Center tab, or click  to view them in a new window. 

Write a Block Business Letter from the perspective of company management.  It must provide bad news to the recipient and follow the guidelines outlined in Chapter 7: Delivering Bad-News Messages in BCOM7 (pages 110-128).

The message should take the block business letter form from the posted example; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The block business letter must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content:
   1. Address the communication issue from the scenario.
   2. Provide bad news from the company to the recipient.
   3. Concentrate on the facts of the situation and use either the inductive or deductive approach.
   4. Assume your recipient has previously requested a review of the situation via email, letter, or personal meeting with management.
2. Format:
   1. Include the proper introductory elements (sender’s address, date, recipient’s address). You may create any details necessary in the introductory elements to complete the assignment.
   2. Provide an appropriate and professional greeting / salutation.
   3. Single space paragraphs and double space between paragraphs.
   4. Limit the letter to one page in length.
3. Clarity / Mechanics:
   1. Focus on clarity, writing mechanics, and professional language/style requirements.
   2. Run spell/grammar check before submitting.

Your assignment must be typed, single-spaced within paragraphs/elements and double spaced between the paragraphs/elements, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Your professor may provide additional instructions.

Assignments must be submitted through the online course shell only.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

1. Plan, create, and evaluate professional documents.
2. Write clearly, coherently, and persuasively using proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting appropriate to the situation.
3. Deliver professional information to various audiences using appropriate tone, style, and format.
4. Analyze professional communication examples to assist in revision.

Professoional scenario is

James shows up to work approximately five minutes late this morning, walks silently (but quickly) down the hallway and begins to punch in at the time clock located by the front desk.  

Sarah, the front desk manager, says, “Good morning, James,” but James ignores her, punches in, and heads into the shop to his workplace.  Sarah rolls her eyes, picks up the phone, and dials the on-duty manager to alert her that James just arrived and should be reaching his desk any moment.