Positive-Emphasis Policy Letter
Evaluation/Grade Coversheet
PLEASE PRINT ONE FOR EACH LETTER

Subject/Information:

___/5   Does the subject line describe the policy, and does it do so in positive terms?  Is the subject line specific enough to differentiate this message from others on the same subject?

___/10 Does the first paragraph summarize the message?  If the information is complex or technical, does the paragraph list the basic parts of the policy or information in the order in which the letter discusses them?

___/10 Does the letter answer specific questions readers are likely to have about the policy or information?

___/5 If the letter needs to be brief and therefor cannot cover all relevant technicalities, does it refer the reader to other, more detailed documents, telephone numbers, web-sites or to other, enclosed documents?

___/5 Have you clearly outlined what the reader needs to do next and when to begin doing it?  What specific action are you requesting of the readers?

Reader Benefits:

___/20 Is each reader benefit developed?  Is each benefit:
        ___ /10 Logically supported?  If someone told you the policy would benefit you in a specific way, would you believe them?

        ___/10 Specific to the audience and phrased in you attitude?

___/5 Does the message end with a positive ending?

Form:

___ /10 Is the letter correctly formatted according to the appropriate conventions (use either Block Format or Modified Block Format see Appendix A.5-A.9)

___/15 Is the letter formatted for "speed reading" or skimming?  Does it use enough white space? Does it use at least one bulleted list?          

___/5 Does the letter avoid jargon and overly formal language? Does the tone seem appropriate to the audience? Is the language clear and concise?

___/10 Is the document well edited? 

_____/100 Total Points