Workplace Writing Assignment #2: Email Composition

Purpose: To put into practice the skills you've learned regarding email writing and communication.

Scenario: You work for a software company and lead the marketing team. You have started to become frustrated with the way you and your team members (four, including yourself) communicate with each other. You do not speak much in the office, emails are not answered on time, and collaborative document composition is poorly managed; as a result, productivity has suffered. As team leader, you have decided to send out an email to address the situation and provide the team with some proven strategies for improving interaction and communication to ensure projects are completed on time.

Task: compose an email for your team in which you (1) address the situation and explain the problem, and then (3) provide them some suggestions for effective communication we've discussed in class. It would be a good idea to explain how these strategies will improve the team's productivity as well.

Consider:

Persuading them that there is a problem first and that it needs to be addressed (how it is affecting productivity)

The strategies we established in class for facilitating effective communication (BE SPECIFIC AND PROVIDE THEM WITH ACTUAL TIPS AND PRINCIPLES FOR HOW BEST TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND TO STAY PRODUCTIVE)

Persuading them that the strategies will benefit the team and its productivity

Remember:

the direct approach

the conventions we've established for email composition (including a clear subject line)

the strategies we discussed regarding readability (see the slides for reference)