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MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 1
MGTS7610 Management Communication (S2, 2023)
Assessment task 1: Business writing portfolio
1. What do I have to do?
Imagine you are the Communications Director for
a (fictional) oil and gas company called
Queensland Oil & Gas (QOG).
Your job is to manage QOG’s response to a
(fictional) crisis event. (see “9. Crisis event”
below)
Create a single pdf document including:
• The MGTS7610 cover page (see Blackboard)
• A letter informing QOG’s CEO of the crisis
event (see “10. Letter” below)
• A company-wide email to all QOG staff (see
“11. All staff email” below)
• A media release responding to the crisis event
(see “13. Media release” below)
• A critical reflection on your letter, email and
media release (see “13. Critical reflection”
below).
Formatting requirements:
• Each document should be approximately 1
page
• Start a new page for each document (using a
page break is ideal)
• Use 11pt Calibri font
• Use 1.5‐line spacing
• Use “normal” margins (choose “normal” in
Microsoft Word – this is the default for new
documents)
• Use clear spacing between paragraphs
2. When is this task due?
This task is due by 4pm (Brisbane time) on
Friday, 18 August 2023.
• Late submissions will receive a 10% penalty
per day.
• Your work will not be graded if it is more than
7 days late.
3. How much does this task contribute to my
final grade?
This task is worth 30% of your final grade.
• The letter, email and media release are each
worth 8%, for a total of 24%.
• The critical reflection is work 6%.
4. How do I submit this task?
Submit this task via Turn-it-in (accessible
through Blackboard).
• Go to the MGTS7610 Blackboard site on
Learn.UQ, then click “Assessment” in the left‐
hand menu.
• Go to the folder for “Assessment 1 – Business
Writing Portfolio”.
• Inside this folder, you will find a Turnitin
submission link – Click “View/Complete”.
• Follow these instructions to upload your
assignment, check it has been uploaded
correctly, and download your digital receipt
5. How will this task be graded?
The Grading Rubric for this task is included at
the end of this document.
• Read the Grading Rubric carefully, and make
sure you understand what is required.
Do NOT change the set question. Papers that do not
address the crisis event will not be graded.
6. Can I use ChatGPT or other AI?
• This assessment task evaluates students'
abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Using AI technologies to develop responses is
strictly prohibited and may constitute student
misconduct under the Student Code of
Conduct.
7. Where can I find answers to my questions
about this task?
Attending every tutorial is the best way to
prepare for assessment tasks in this course.
• Ask your tutor any course-related questions
during your tutorial.
Search the Discussion Board for answers to
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
8. What can I do if I need an extension?
Course staff CANNOT grant extensions. You
MUST apply online BEFORE the due date.
• Follow the instructions outlined here.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 2
9. Crisis event
Last night an exposé on the ABC Four Corners television program revealed that the (fictional) mining
company Queensland Oil & Gas (QOG) is currently facing 17 cases of alleged workplace misbehaviour –
including sexual harassment, bullying and assault – within their fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce.
The Four Corners program reported that:
• workplace culture in the mining sector has
been traditionally dominated by men. The
gender pay gap in mining (16%) is higher
than the national average (14.1%).
• excessive alcohol consumption is common in
FIFO contexts, where workers are isolated
from their usual social connections and
responsibilities.
• harassment and bullying are often covered
up, overlooked and/or treated as a joke.
• Australia’s mining sector has the 5th highest
share of workers who have been sexually
harassed (40%). The problem mostly affects
women and minorities.
• the number of complaints about workplace
misconduct increased after QOG’s
acquisition of Northern Minerals (NOTE:
Northern Minerals is a fictional company).
• the problem is likely much bigger than has
been reported because many victims are
reluctant to speak about their experiences.
• 52,500 women are currently employed in
Australia’s mining sector, representing 18.9%
of the total mining workforce (302,600).
• the mining sector is experiencing a significant
skills shortage, which could be addressed by
attracting more female workers.
• recommendations include limiting alcohol
consumption and improving security in FIFO
camp accommodations.
• The Human Rights Commission’s 2020
Respect@Work report includes 55 further
recommendations to create safer workplaces.
QOG was not the only company mentioned on the
Four Corners program, but it was the most
prominent.
As the QOG Communications Director, you need
to manage this crisis. You must respond quickly,
but clearly.
You know that :
• QOG faces a big challenge, to minimize the
damage to its reputation and to rebuild trust
with customers, shareholders and other
stakeholders
• responding with “no comment” is not usually
effective in crisis situations
• instead, senior leaders should:
o take explicit responsibility for the
company’s actions
o personally state their regret for any
misbehaviour
o explain how the company will correct its
actions
o promise not to repeat those actions
• other staff members should
o not speak to the media, unless authorised
to do so
o present a united front (i.e., not contradict
the senior leaders) when speaking with
customers.
You have developed a communication strategy to
help QOG respond to the crisis by presenting an
appropriate image to both the media and
company stakeholders (staff, customers,
shareholders).
This strategy includes three steps:
1. You will write a formal letter to the CEO,
explaining the situation and outlining how she
should respond in media interviews.
2. You will prepare an internal email for all staff,
to explain the situation and tell them how to
respond to questions about the Four Corners
program.
3. You will prepare a media release, including a
statement by the CEO, to manage QOG’s
relationships with the media and the general
public.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 3
10. Letter – approximately one page (200–250 words)
Write a letter to the QOG CEO, using the business letter genre you learned in class.
This should be a very formal and accurate message because legal representatives may review your
communication in future.
Key details to include:
• Your CEO’s name: Ms Nicole Peterson
• Summarize the background to this crisis
situation:
o Sexual harassment appears common in
FIFO workplaces across the mining
industry
o Numerous female employees have
experienced attempted and actual rape
o Female casual workers have been asked
for sexual favours, in return for permanent
employment
o Female employees have been sexually
harassed and intimidated in various ways
o Male and female apprentices have been
locked in hot containers for over an hour,
as part of ‘hazing’ and initiation rituals
o Many FIFO workers appear unsure about
what is unacceptable behaviour.
o QOG had hoped to address its
longstanding skills shortage by employing
more women in FIFO roles.
o Last night the exposé on Four Corners
revealed that QOG is currently facing 17
cases of alleged workplace misbehaviour
– including sexual harassment, bullying
and assault.
• Outline your communication strategy for
dealing with this situation.
• Politely instruct the CEO about how to
respond to any media interviews:
o take explicit responsibility for the situation
o state regret for any misbehaviour on the
part of QOG employees
o state how QOG is currently addressing
the situation
o state what QOC will do to prevent similar
situations in future.
• Politely recommend that QOG should:
o follow the Minerals Council of Australia
(MCA) guidelines for dealing with sexual
harassment, including:
supporting impacted staff
respecting complainants’ preferred
ways of managing the situation
reviewing company policies and codes
of conduct
educating all staff about appropriate
workplace behaviour
empowering bystanders
o contract Professor An Teo (a HR expert)
to run educational workshops with all
QOG staff (include a brochure from
Professor Teo’s consulting firm with your
letter).
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions.
• Follow the business letter format outlined in
Shirley Taylor’s 2012 Model Business Letters,
Emails and other Business Documents.
• Use this address for the CEO:
Ms Nicole Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
QOG
63 Adelaide Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
• You do NOT need to mention all of the
background information, or present it in the
same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide which information your CEO
really needs you to tell them and the best
order in which to present it.
• You do NOT need to create a brochure for
Professor Teo – just indicate that you are
enclosing a brochure with your letter.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 4
11. All staff email – approximately one page (150–200 words)
QOG staff may be approached by journalists looking for a story, and/or be asked about the Four Corners
program by their family, friends, or customers.
Write an urgent email to all staff (copy in the CEO) to let them know how to respond in these situations.
Because this email is going to everyone in the
company (CEO, middle managers, creative and
technical workers), you should:
• provide only enough detail to help staff
o understand the basic facts of the situation,
and
o know what they should (and should not)
say about it
• choose the right tone for delivering bad news
• avoid including any details or using
vocabulary that might make the situation
worse if staff show your email or repeat parts
of it to anyone outside the company.
Key details to include:
• a very brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the
current situation (i.e., that QOG was one of
several companies featured on ABC’s Four
Corners, and what the program was about)
• advise staff not to speak to the media or post
on social media about this issue
• refer staff (and their family, friends,
customers) to the “QOG Responds” webpage,
if they have any questions.
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions.
• Follow the business email format outlined in
Shirley Taylor’s 2012 Model Business Letters,
Emails and other Business Documents.
• Use these email addresses:
o for all staff: allstaff@QOG.com.au
o for the CEO: ceo@QOG.com.au
• You do NOT need to present the “Key details”
in the same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide the best order in which to
present this information.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 5
12. Media release – approximately one page (300–350 words)
In addition to communicating internally, you need to communicate externally to manage the reputational
damage to QOG.
Prepare a media release that can be BOTH provided to journalists looking for a story AND posted on the
QOG website. Your media release must NOT
• be dishonest
• misrepresent the situation
• harm affected employees, or
• risk ‘contempt of court.’
Key details to include:
• a brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the current
situation (i.e., that QOG was one of several
companies featured on ABC’s Four Corners,
and what the program was about)
• a statement about QOG’s corporate values
(i.e., Unity in Diversity, Respect, Trust,
Innovation, Excellence.)
• a quotation from the CEO – you may EITHER
choose one of these two options (pick the
most appropriate one), OR create your own
CEO statement:
o “QOG is committed to a safe, inclusive
and respectful working environment. Our
culture is underpinned by our Values and
Code of Conduct – sexual and other
unlawful discrimination, bullying and
harassment are serious violations of those
principles and will not be tolerated.”
o “I’m sorry that ABC’s Four Corners
featured QOG in their report. We are a
leader in the mining industry, and this
program could hurt our reputation.”
• a summary of the actions QOG is taking to
address this situation – you may EITHER
choose from the recommendations listed on
page 3 OR write your own plan of action
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions (except for the
sample quotations on this page).
• Use what you learn from our Week 2 Online
Learning Module about: Crisis
Communication, Relevance Theory, Clear
Writing, and Projection (Animating sources).
• You do NOT need to present the “Key details”
in the same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide on the most appropriate and
newsworthy order for presenting this
information in your media release.
• Follow the Media Release format outlined in
the Week 3 Online Learning Module.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 6
13. Critical Reflection – approximately one page (300–350 words)
To become an effective communicator, you need to think critically about your own writing and understand
how your audience is likely to react to it. Small details – such as the order in which you present information,
which verbs you choose, and whether or not you use adverbs – can make a lot of difference.
This part of the assessment task asks you to think critically about the letter, email and media release you
have written and to explain the writing choices you made when preparing them.
Your Critical Reflection should
• answer ONE of the questions listed below for
each document (for a total of 3 questions)
• refer to specific words, phrases and
sentences within your own documents, to
illustrate / exemplify your answers to each
question.
• pay roughly equal attention to your email,
letter and media release.
Reflection questions:
• How did you want your audience to respond
to this document? Which parts of your writing
are designed prompt that response? How
effective do you think they would be? Why?
• What kind of tone does this document have?
Which specific words / phrases did you use to
achieve that tone? Why?
• What kind of persuasive language did you use
in this document? Why did you choose those
specific words / phrases?
• What clear writing strategies did you use in
this paper? How effective are they? How
might you improve the clarity of your writing?
Formatting your Critical Reflection:
• Include the questions you are answering
as headings. Write your answers under each
question / heading.
• Use complete sentences and paragraphs. Do
NOT use bullet points.
• Use what you have learned about sentence
structure and clear writing (Week 2 Online
Learning Module) to write clearly and
succinctly.
• Use the first-person pronoun (“I”) with active
verbs, e.g.,
o I began my email with … because…
o I wanted my audience to … So, I chose
the words ….
o I used the online Merriam-Webster
dictionary to check the spelling of … The
advantages of this tool are… The
disadvantages are …
• Do NOT answer the same question for each
document. Instead, choose the most relevant
question to explain how you wrote each
document.
• Do NOT focus on the subject matter / content
of your letter, email and media release.
Instead, focus on your writing techniques and
decisions.
• Decide on the most appropriate order for
presenting the information in your Critical
Reflection.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 7
Business Writing Portfolio Rubric (30 marks)
This assessment task evaluates your abilities, skills & knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using AI technologies to
develop responses is strictly prohibited & may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Email (20 marks, weighted at 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct, or
not in appropriate
order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements
may be indistinct,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
One or more major
structural element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Subject line and
first paragraph
contain highly
effective indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of both
topic and purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of either
topic or purpose.
Subject line and first
paragraph contain no
clear indication of
topic or purpose.
Purpose of email is
unclear OR the
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Tone Tone is highly
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. It is
professional, polite,
positive and
sincere.
Tone is mostly
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Mostly
professional, polite,
positive and
sincere, with some
minor slips.
Tone is appropriate
to the relationship
and audience.
There may be a few
expressions that
are excessively
formal or casual.
Tone is generally
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Some
expressions may be
excessively formal,
casual, or
defensive.
Tone is
inappropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Many
expressions are not
professional, polite,
positive or sincere.
The tone is highly
inappropriate to the
relationship and
audience OR the
email is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation
of ideas
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Excellent
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Effective
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Some
effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but
may not be
consistently clear,
sufficient or
cohesive. Some
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation of
information and/or
attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the email is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 8
Lexico-
grammar
Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective use
of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and
generally clear, but
may contain a few
vague or
unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical errors
and/or vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to understand
due to significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR the message is
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
The message is
formatted correctly
and contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
The message is
mostly formatted
correctly and
contains only minor
spelling or
punctuation errors.
The message is
formatted with
some minor errors
and/or contains a
few obvious spelling
or punctuation
problems.
The message is
formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
The message is not
formatted
appropriately or it
contains significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension, OR
contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 9
Letter (20 marks, weighted at 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct,
or not in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements may
be indistinct,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
One or more
major structural
element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Subject line and
first paragraph
contain highly
effective
indications of both
topic and purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of either
topic or purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain no clear
indication of topic
or purpose.
Purpose of email
is unclear OR the
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Tone Tone is highly
appropriate to the
audience. It is
professional,
polite, positive and
sincere.
Tone is mostly
appropriate,
professional,
polite, positive and
sincere, with some
minor slips.
Tone is mostly
appropriate. One
or two expressions
may be excessive
or overly casual.
Tone is generally
appropriate. Some
expressions may be
excessive, casual,
and/or defensive.
Tone is
inappropriate.
Many expressions
are not
professional,
polite, positive or
sincere.
Tone is highly
inappropriate OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Excellent use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Some effective
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but may
not be consistently
clear, sufficient or
cohesive. Some use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 10
Lexico-grammar Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence
structure, clear
writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and generally
clear, but may
contain a few vague
or unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical
errors and/or
vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to
understand due to
significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR the message
is too incomplete
to assess this
criterion. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
Not formatted
appropriately or
it contains
significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension,
OR contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 11
Media release (20 marks, 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct,
or not in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements may
be indistinct,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
One or more
major structural
element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Headline and first
paragraph present
key information
using highly
effective wording.
Headline and first
paragraph contain
key information
and grab attention.
First paragraph
contains key
information, but
headline may not
grab attention.
First paragraph
contains key
information but
headline may be
unclear.
First paragraph
lacks key
information.
Headline may be
unclear.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Journalistic writing
Information is
clear, compelling
and cohesive.
Highly persuasive
comments
included as quoted
speech, using
appropriate
reporting style.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Persuasive
comments
included as quoted
speech, using
appropriate
reporting style.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Quoted speech
uses appropriate
reporting style, but
may not be
persuasive.
Information is
adequate, but may
not be consistently
clear or cohesive.
Quoted speech may
not be persuasive
and/or use
appropriate reporting
style.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or quoted
speech.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Excellent use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Some effective use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but may
not be consistently
clear, sufficient or
cohesive. Some use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion. 4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 12
Lexico-grammar Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and generally
clear, but may
contain a few vague
or unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical
errors and/or
vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to
understand due to
significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR message is too
incomplete to
assess. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with some
errors or contains a
few significant
spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted
appropriately or
it contains
significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension,
OR contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 13
Critical Reflection (20 marks, 6%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Register Engagement
with assessment
texts
Specific examples
from all three
documents provide
highly effective
illustrations clearly
supporting critical
self-reflection.
Specific examples
from all three
documents provide
effective
illustrations that
support critical
self-reflection.
Specific examples
from all three
documents support
critical self-
reflection.
Examples from all
three documents
illustrate reflective
comments.
Examples used to
illustrate reflective
comments may not
be drawn from all
three documents
and/or may lack
specificity.
Response is
inappropriate OR too
incomplete to assess
this criterion. 6 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Detailed, well-
organized and
highly insightful
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Detailed and well-
organized
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Detailed
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Commentary
displays some
critical reflection
on and awareness
of students’ own
communication
practices.
Response does
not display critical
reflection on
and/or awareness
of students’ own
communication
practices.
Response is
inappropriate OR too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
7 marks
Lexico-grammar Grammar and vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and
generally clear, but
may contain a few
vague or
unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical errors
and/or vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to understand
due to significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR message is too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
6 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
Formatted
appropriately or it
contains significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension OR
the writing contains
many significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems OR the
message is too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
1 mark
MGTS7610 Management Communication (S2, 2023)
Assessment task 1: Business writing portfolio
1. What do I have to do?
Imagine you are the Communications Director for
a (fictional) oil and gas company called
Queensland Oil & Gas (QOG).
Your job is to manage QOG’s response to a
(fictional) crisis event. (see “9. Crisis event”
below)
Create a single pdf document including:
• The MGTS7610 cover page (see Blackboard)
• A letter informing QOG’s CEO of the crisis
event (see “10. Letter” below)
• A company-wide email to all QOG staff (see
“11. All staff email” below)
• A media release responding to the crisis event
(see “13. Media release” below)
• A critical reflection on your letter, email and
media release (see “13. Critical reflection”
below).
Formatting requirements:
• Each document should be approximately 1
page
• Start a new page for each document (using a
page break is ideal)
• Use 11pt Calibri font
• Use 1.5‐line spacing
• Use “normal” margins (choose “normal” in
Microsoft Word – this is the default for new
documents)
• Use clear spacing between paragraphs
2. When is this task due?
This task is due by 4pm (Brisbane time) on
Friday, 18 August 2023.
• Late submissions will receive a 10% penalty
per day.
• Your work will not be graded if it is more than
7 days late.
3. How much does this task contribute to my
final grade?
This task is worth 30% of your final grade.
• The letter, email and media release are each
worth 8%, for a total of 24%.
• The critical reflection is work 6%.
4. How do I submit this task?
Submit this task via Turn-it-in (accessible
through Blackboard).
• Go to the MGTS7610 Blackboard site on
Learn.UQ, then click “Assessment” in the left‐
hand menu.
• Go to the folder for “Assessment 1 – Business
Writing Portfolio”.
• Inside this folder, you will find a Turnitin
submission link – Click “View/Complete”.
• Follow these instructions to upload your
assignment, check it has been uploaded
correctly, and download your digital receipt
5. How will this task be graded?
The Grading Rubric for this task is included at
the end of this document.
• Read the Grading Rubric carefully, and make
sure you understand what is required.
Do NOT change the set question. Papers that do not
address the crisis event will not be graded.
6. Can I use ChatGPT or other AI?
• This assessment task evaluates students'
abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Using AI technologies to develop responses is
strictly prohibited and may constitute student
misconduct under the Student Code of
Conduct.
7. Where can I find answers to my questions
about this task?
Attending every tutorial is the best way to
prepare for assessment tasks in this course.
• Ask your tutor any course-related questions
during your tutorial.
Search the Discussion Board for answers to
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
8. What can I do if I need an extension?
Course staff CANNOT grant extensions. You
MUST apply online BEFORE the due date.
• Follow the instructions outlined here.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 2
9. Crisis event
Last night an exposé on the ABC Four Corners television program revealed that the (fictional) mining
company Queensland Oil & Gas (QOG) is currently facing 17 cases of alleged workplace misbehaviour –
including sexual harassment, bullying and assault – within their fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce.
The Four Corners program reported that:
• workplace culture in the mining sector has
been traditionally dominated by men. The
gender pay gap in mining (16%) is higher
than the national average (14.1%).
• excessive alcohol consumption is common in
FIFO contexts, where workers are isolated
from their usual social connections and
responsibilities.
• harassment and bullying are often covered
up, overlooked and/or treated as a joke.
• Australia’s mining sector has the 5th highest
share of workers who have been sexually
harassed (40%). The problem mostly affects
women and minorities.
• the number of complaints about workplace
misconduct increased after QOG’s
acquisition of Northern Minerals (NOTE:
Northern Minerals is a fictional company).
• the problem is likely much bigger than has
been reported because many victims are
reluctant to speak about their experiences.
• 52,500 women are currently employed in
Australia’s mining sector, representing 18.9%
of the total mining workforce (302,600).
• the mining sector is experiencing a significant
skills shortage, which could be addressed by
attracting more female workers.
• recommendations include limiting alcohol
consumption and improving security in FIFO
camp accommodations.
• The Human Rights Commission’s 2020
Respect@Work report includes 55 further
recommendations to create safer workplaces.
QOG was not the only company mentioned on the
Four Corners program, but it was the most
prominent.
As the QOG Communications Director, you need
to manage this crisis. You must respond quickly,
but clearly.
You know that :
• QOG faces a big challenge, to minimize the
damage to its reputation and to rebuild trust
with customers, shareholders and other
stakeholders
• responding with “no comment” is not usually
effective in crisis situations
• instead, senior leaders should:
o take explicit responsibility for the
company’s actions
o personally state their regret for any
misbehaviour
o explain how the company will correct its
actions
o promise not to repeat those actions
• other staff members should
o not speak to the media, unless authorised
to do so
o present a united front (i.e., not contradict
the senior leaders) when speaking with
customers.
You have developed a communication strategy to
help QOG respond to the crisis by presenting an
appropriate image to both the media and
company stakeholders (staff, customers,
shareholders).
This strategy includes three steps:
1. You will write a formal letter to the CEO,
explaining the situation and outlining how she
should respond in media interviews.
2. You will prepare an internal email for all staff,
to explain the situation and tell them how to
respond to questions about the Four Corners
program.
3. You will prepare a media release, including a
statement by the CEO, to manage QOG’s
relationships with the media and the general
public.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 3
10. Letter – approximately one page (200–250 words)
Write a letter to the QOG CEO, using the business letter genre you learned in class.
This should be a very formal and accurate message because legal representatives may review your
communication in future.
Key details to include:
• Your CEO’s name: Ms Nicole Peterson
• Summarize the background to this crisis
situation:
o Sexual harassment appears common in
FIFO workplaces across the mining
industry
o Numerous female employees have
experienced attempted and actual rape
o Female casual workers have been asked
for sexual favours, in return for permanent
employment
o Female employees have been sexually
harassed and intimidated in various ways
o Male and female apprentices have been
locked in hot containers for over an hour,
as part of ‘hazing’ and initiation rituals
o Many FIFO workers appear unsure about
what is unacceptable behaviour.
o QOG had hoped to address its
longstanding skills shortage by employing
more women in FIFO roles.
o Last night the exposé on Four Corners
revealed that QOG is currently facing 17
cases of alleged workplace misbehaviour
– including sexual harassment, bullying
and assault.
• Outline your communication strategy for
dealing with this situation.
• Politely instruct the CEO about how to
respond to any media interviews:
o take explicit responsibility for the situation
o state regret for any misbehaviour on the
part of QOG employees
o state how QOG is currently addressing
the situation
o state what QOC will do to prevent similar
situations in future.
• Politely recommend that QOG should:
o follow the Minerals Council of Australia
(MCA) guidelines for dealing with sexual
harassment, including:
supporting impacted staff
respecting complainants’ preferred
ways of managing the situation
reviewing company policies and codes
of conduct
educating all staff about appropriate
workplace behaviour
empowering bystanders
o contract Professor An Teo (a HR expert)
to run educational workshops with all
QOG staff (include a brochure from
Professor Teo’s consulting firm with your
letter).
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions.
• Follow the business letter format outlined in
Shirley Taylor’s 2012 Model Business Letters,
Emails and other Business Documents.
• Use this address for the CEO:
Ms Nicole Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
QOG
63 Adelaide Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
• You do NOT need to mention all of the
background information, or present it in the
same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide which information your CEO
really needs you to tell them and the best
order in which to present it.
• You do NOT need to create a brochure for
Professor Teo – just indicate that you are
enclosing a brochure with your letter.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 4
11. All staff email – approximately one page (150–200 words)
QOG staff may be approached by journalists looking for a story, and/or be asked about the Four Corners
program by their family, friends, or customers.
Write an urgent email to all staff (copy in the CEO) to let them know how to respond in these situations.
Because this email is going to everyone in the
company (CEO, middle managers, creative and
technical workers), you should:
• provide only enough detail to help staff
o understand the basic facts of the situation,
and
o know what they should (and should not)
say about it
• choose the right tone for delivering bad news
• avoid including any details or using
vocabulary that might make the situation
worse if staff show your email or repeat parts
of it to anyone outside the company.
Key details to include:
• a very brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the
current situation (i.e., that QOG was one of
several companies featured on ABC’s Four
Corners, and what the program was about)
• advise staff not to speak to the media or post
on social media about this issue
• refer staff (and their family, friends,
customers) to the “QOG Responds” webpage,
if they have any questions.
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions.
• Follow the business email format outlined in
Shirley Taylor’s 2012 Model Business Letters,
Emails and other Business Documents.
• Use these email addresses:
o for all staff: allstaff@QOG.com.au
o for the CEO: ceo@QOG.com.au
• You do NOT need to present the “Key details”
in the same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide the best order in which to
present this information.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 5
12. Media release – approximately one page (300–350 words)
In addition to communicating internally, you need to communicate externally to manage the reputational
damage to QOG.
Prepare a media release that can be BOTH provided to journalists looking for a story AND posted on the
QOG website. Your media release must NOT
• be dishonest
• misrepresent the situation
• harm affected employees, or
• risk ‘contempt of court.’
Key details to include:
• a brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the current
situation (i.e., that QOG was one of several
companies featured on ABC’s Four Corners,
and what the program was about)
• a statement about QOG’s corporate values
(i.e., Unity in Diversity, Respect, Trust,
Innovation, Excellence.)
• a quotation from the CEO – you may EITHER
choose one of these two options (pick the
most appropriate one), OR create your own
CEO statement:
o “QOG is committed to a safe, inclusive
and respectful working environment. Our
culture is underpinned by our Values and
Code of Conduct – sexual and other
unlawful discrimination, bullying and
harassment are serious violations of those
principles and will not be tolerated.”
o “I’m sorry that ABC’s Four Corners
featured QOG in their report. We are a
leader in the mining industry, and this
program could hurt our reputation.”
• a summary of the actions QOG is taking to
address this situation – you may EITHER
choose from the recommendations listed on
page 3 OR write your own plan of action
NOTES:
• Do NOT copy wording directly from the
Assignment Instructions (except for the
sample quotations on this page).
• Use what you learn from our Week 2 Online
Learning Module about: Crisis
Communication, Relevance Theory, Clear
Writing, and Projection (Animating sources).
• You do NOT need to present the “Key details”
in the same order as on this page.
• Instead, decide on the most appropriate and
newsworthy order for presenting this
information in your media release.
• Follow the Media Release format outlined in
the Week 3 Online Learning Module.
• You may invent any other necessary
information.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 6
13. Critical Reflection – approximately one page (300–350 words)
To become an effective communicator, you need to think critically about your own writing and understand
how your audience is likely to react to it. Small details – such as the order in which you present information,
which verbs you choose, and whether or not you use adverbs – can make a lot of difference.
This part of the assessment task asks you to think critically about the letter, email and media release you
have written and to explain the writing choices you made when preparing them.
Your Critical Reflection should
• answer ONE of the questions listed below for
each document (for a total of 3 questions)
• refer to specific words, phrases and
sentences within your own documents, to
illustrate / exemplify your answers to each
question.
• pay roughly equal attention to your email,
letter and media release.
Reflection questions:
• How did you want your audience to respond
to this document? Which parts of your writing
are designed prompt that response? How
effective do you think they would be? Why?
• What kind of tone does this document have?
Which specific words / phrases did you use to
achieve that tone? Why?
• What kind of persuasive language did you use
in this document? Why did you choose those
specific words / phrases?
• What clear writing strategies did you use in
this paper? How effective are they? How
might you improve the clarity of your writing?
Formatting your Critical Reflection:
• Include the questions you are answering
as headings. Write your answers under each
question / heading.
• Use complete sentences and paragraphs. Do
NOT use bullet points.
• Use what you have learned about sentence
structure and clear writing (Week 2 Online
Learning Module) to write clearly and
succinctly.
• Use the first-person pronoun (“I”) with active
verbs, e.g.,
o I began my email with … because…
o I wanted my audience to … So, I chose
the words ….
o I used the online Merriam-Webster
dictionary to check the spelling of … The
advantages of this tool are… The
disadvantages are …
• Do NOT answer the same question for each
document. Instead, choose the most relevant
question to explain how you wrote each
document.
• Do NOT focus on the subject matter / content
of your letter, email and media release.
Instead, focus on your writing techniques and
decisions.
• Decide on the most appropriate order for
presenting the information in your Critical
Reflection.
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 7
Business Writing Portfolio Rubric (30 marks)
This assessment task evaluates your abilities, skills & knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using AI technologies to
develop responses is strictly prohibited & may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Email (20 marks, weighted at 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct, or
not in appropriate
order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements
may be indistinct,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
One or more major
structural element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Subject line and
first paragraph
contain highly
effective indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of both
topic and purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of either
topic or purpose.
Subject line and first
paragraph contain no
clear indication of
topic or purpose.
Purpose of email is
unclear OR the
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Tone Tone is highly
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. It is
professional, polite,
positive and
sincere.
Tone is mostly
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Mostly
professional, polite,
positive and
sincere, with some
minor slips.
Tone is appropriate
to the relationship
and audience.
There may be a few
expressions that
are excessively
formal or casual.
Tone is generally
appropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Some
expressions may be
excessively formal,
casual, or
defensive.
Tone is
inappropriate to the
relationship and
audience. Many
expressions are not
professional, polite,
positive or sincere.
The tone is highly
inappropriate to the
relationship and
audience OR the
email is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation
of ideas
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Excellent
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Effective
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is clear,
sufficient and
cohesive. Some
effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but
may not be
consistently clear,
sufficient or
cohesive. Some
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation of
information and/or
attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the email is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 8
Lexico-
grammar
Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective use
of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and
generally clear, but
may contain a few
vague or
unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical errors
and/or vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to understand
due to significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR the message is
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
The message is
formatted correctly
and contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
The message is
mostly formatted
correctly and
contains only minor
spelling or
punctuation errors.
The message is
formatted with
some minor errors
and/or contains a
few obvious spelling
or punctuation
problems.
The message is
formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
The message is not
formatted
appropriately or it
contains significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension, OR
contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 9
Letter (20 marks, weighted at 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct,
or not in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements may
be indistinct,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
One or more
major structural
element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Subject line and
first paragraph
contain highly
effective
indications of both
topic and purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR
first paragraph
contain indications
of both topic and
purpose.
Subject line OR first
paragraph contain
indications of either
topic or purpose.
Subject line and
first paragraph
contain no clear
indication of topic
or purpose.
Purpose of email
is unclear OR the
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Tone Tone is highly
appropriate to the
audience. It is
professional,
polite, positive and
sincere.
Tone is mostly
appropriate,
professional,
polite, positive and
sincere, with some
minor slips.
Tone is mostly
appropriate. One
or two expressions
may be excessive
or overly casual.
Tone is generally
appropriate. Some
expressions may be
excessive, casual,
and/or defensive.
Tone is
inappropriate.
Many expressions
are not
professional,
polite, positive or
sincere.
Tone is highly
inappropriate OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Excellent use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Some effective
use of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but may
not be consistently
clear, sufficient or
cohesive. Some use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 10
Lexico-grammar Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence
structure, clear
writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and generally
clear, but may
contain a few vague
or unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical
errors and/or
vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to
understand due to
significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR the message
is too incomplete
to assess this
criterion. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
Not formatted
appropriately or
it contains
significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension,
OR contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 11
Media release (20 marks, 8%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Genre Structure All structural
elements are
correct, clearly
distinct, complete,
and in highly
effective order.
All structural
elements are
correct, distinct,
complete and in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Some
minor elements
may be indistinct,
or not in
appropriate order.
All structural
elements are
present. Several
minor elements may
be indistinct,
incomplete, or not in
appropriate order.
One or more
major structural
element is
incorrect, unclear,
incomplete, or not
in appropriate
order.
Response is
inappropriate OR
the message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
5 marks
Purpose Headline and first
paragraph present
key information
using highly
effective wording.
Headline and first
paragraph contain
key information
and grab attention.
First paragraph
contains key
information, but
headline may not
grab attention.
First paragraph
contains key
information but
headline may be
unclear.
First paragraph
lacks key
information.
Headline may be
unclear.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
3 marks
Register Journalistic writing
Information is
clear, compelling
and cohesive.
Highly persuasive
comments
included as quoted
speech, using
appropriate
reporting style.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Persuasive
comments
included as quoted
speech, using
appropriate
reporting style.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Quoted speech
uses appropriate
reporting style, but
may not be
persuasive.
Information is
adequate, but may
not be consistently
clear or cohesive.
Quoted speech may
not be persuasive
and/or use
appropriate reporting
style.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or quoted
speech.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
4 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Excellent use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Effective use of
explicit and implicit
attitude.
Information is
clear, sufficient
and cohesive.
Some effective use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Information is
appropriate, but may
not be consistently
clear, sufficient or
cohesive. Some use
of explicit and
implicit attitude.
Response has
significant issues
with organisation
of information
and/or attitude.
Response is
inappropriate OR
too incomplete to
assess this
criterion. 4 marks
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 12
Lexico-grammar Grammar and
vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and generally
clear, but may
contain a few vague
or unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical
errors and/or
vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to
understand due to
significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR the answer
relies too much on
wording from the
Assignment
Instructions
OR message is too
incomplete to
assess. [Consult
student services]
3 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with some
errors or contains a
few significant
spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted
appropriately or
it contains
significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension,
OR contains many
significant spelling
and punctuation
problems OR
message is too
incomplete to
assess this
criterion.
1 mark
Rubric continued over page
MGTS7610 Business Writing Portfolio Assignment Guide 13
Critical Reflection (20 marks, 6%)
Aspect of
communication
diagram
Criteria
Description
7
(High Distinction)
85-100%
6
(Distinction)
75-84%
5
(Credit)
65-74%
4
(Pass)
50-64%
1-3
(Fail)
1-49%
Incomplete
0%
Marks
Register Engagement
with assessment
texts
Specific examples
from all three
documents provide
highly effective
illustrations clearly
supporting critical
self-reflection.
Specific examples
from all three
documents provide
effective
illustrations that
support critical
self-reflection.
Specific examples
from all three
documents support
critical self-
reflection.
Examples from all
three documents
illustrate reflective
comments.
Examples used to
illustrate reflective
comments may not
be drawn from all
three documents
and/or may lack
specificity.
Response is
inappropriate OR too
incomplete to assess
this criterion. 6 marks
Discourse
semantics
Organisation of
ideas
Detailed, well-
organized and
highly insightful
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Detailed and well-
organized
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Detailed
commentary
displaying critical
reflection on and
awareness of
student’s own
communication
practices.
Commentary
displays some
critical reflection
on and awareness
of students’ own
communication
practices.
Response does
not display critical
reflection on
and/or awareness
of students’ own
communication
practices.
Response is
inappropriate OR too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
7 marks
Lexico-grammar Grammar and vocabulary
Highly effective
use of sentence
structure, clear
writing, and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure,
clear writing and
vocabulary.
Effective use of
sentence structure
and clear writing.
Generally free of
grammar and
vocabulary errors.
Sentences are
simple and
generally clear, but
may contain a few
vague or
unnecessary
expressions.
Comprehensible,
but contains
significant
grammatical errors
and/or vague,
unnecessary
expressions.
Hard to understand
due to significant
grammar and
vocabulary issues
OR message is too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
6 marks
Graphology Formatting, spelling, and
punctuation
Formatted
correctly, and
contains no
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Mostly formatted
correctly or
contains only
minor spelling or
punctuation errors.
Formatted with
some minor errors
or contains a few
obvious spelling or
punctuation
problems.
Formatted with
some errors or
contains a few
significant spelling
or punctuation
problems.
Formatted
appropriately or it
contains significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems.
Lack of formatting
impairs
comprehension OR
the writing contains
many significant
spelling and
punctuation
problems OR the
message is too
incomplete to assess
this criterion.
1 mark
