End of Semester Memo

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for students to reflect on what they've learned in this course and to provide feedback to the instructor. 

Directions

To complete this assignment, use the standard memo format.

In no more than two pages, write to me about what you learned in the course and how this is relevant to you professionally. You should address the following issues:

1. What readings, assignments, and/or activities have been most relevant to you professionally? How and why? Do you have any suggestions for how this could have been improved upon?

2. What are you happiest about with the work you have completed and why? 

3. What would you have liked to have improved upon if you had more time, resources, or expertise and why? 

4. What suggestions would you give me for improving this course or give to future students as they approach this course? 

5. What other final comments about your experience in this course do you have?

Style Guidelines

Heading segment includes "To," "From," "Date" and "Subject" lines

Single space between lines in the heading

Full-blocked text (i.e. no indentation at the beginning of paragraphs)

Double space between paragraphs

One space after a period at the end of a sentence

Body text in 12-point Time New Roman font

Due Dates

Memo is due on the last class of the semester. 

Grading Rubric/Scale

In grading the two memos assigned for the memos assignment, I ask myself the following set of questions:

1. Does the memo have a properly formatted heading segment?

2. Is the text in the memo use full-blocked text (i.e. no indentation at the beginning of paragraphs and no centering)?

3. Are there only single spaces after the periods at the end of sentences?

4. Is the body text in 12-point Times New Roman font?

5. Is the letter free from basic grammatical errors?

6. Does the memo minimize the use white space?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” I give the memo some kind of C. If the answer to most of the questions is “no,” its grade will be even lower.

For memos that have emerged unscathed thus far, I add the following questions:

7. If the memos includes questions, are they asked in a specific, clear, and concise manner?

8. Does the memo close by thanking the reader for taking the time to respond?

9. Does the memo provide relevant contact information to simplify a reply?

10. Does the memo consider unpleasant news from the reader’s point of view?

11. Does the memo explain logically, clearly, and specifically rationale when making an argument?

12. Does the memo control such features as tone, syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling?

13. How well is the memo organized? Does it stick tot he point? Does every paragraph contain a clear topic sentence? If not, is another kind of organizing principle at work? Are the transitions well made?

Depending on my answers to such questions, I give the memo some kind of A or some kind of B.