Assessment of Memorandum Writing in a Quantitative Business Context

Julie Ann Stuart Williams University of West Florida ; Joshua Schutts ; Kristine Gallamore ; Nicholas Amaral University of West Florida

Abstract

This article examines a manageable approach that provides students with significant opportunities to write and improve their writing over time in an introductory quantitative business course. The study examines six elements of written communication skills, as evidenced by assessment data from memorandum assignments administered following pedagogical interventions throughout the semester in an operations management course. Results demonstrate that student performance of audience identification, action-oriented request, and punctuation improved. Interestingly, student performance of grammar slightly decreased. A follow-up analysis indicates that some writing mistakes were related to a lack of proofreading. This article also presents original memorandum assignments and suggestions for improvement.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2019-03-01
DOI
10.1177/2329490618798606
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

References (20) · 1 in this index

  1. Ashbaugh D. L. (1994). Improving writing skills while increasing understanding of management course content. …
  2. Carrithers D., Bean J. C. (2008). Using a client memo to assess critical thinking of finance majors. Business…
  3. Carrithers D., Ling T., Bean J. C. (2008). Messy problems and lay audiences: Teaching critical thinking withi…
  4. Fraser L., Harich K., Norby J., Brzovic K., Rizkallah T., Loewy D. (2005). Diagnostic and value-added assessm…
  5. Gabriel S. L., Hirsch M. L.Jr. (1992). Critical thinking and communication skills: Integration and implementa…
Show all 20 →
  1. Kenworthy A. L., Hrivnak G. A. (2014). To rubric or not to rubric: That is the question. Journal of Managemen…
  2. Knoch U., May L., Macqueen S., Pill J., Storch N. (2016). Transitioning from university to the workplace: Sta…
  3. Kogen M. (1983). The role of audience in business and technical writing. Business Communication Quarterly, 46…
  4. High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter
  5. Ensuring quality & taking high-impact practices to scale
  6. Lim Y.M., Lee T. H., Yap C. S., Ling C. C. (2016). Employability skills, personal qualities, and early employ…
  7. Marcal L. E., Hennessey J. E., Curren M. T., Roberts W. W. (2005). Do business communication courses improve …
  8. Plutsky S., Wilson B. A. (2001). Writing across the curriculum in a college of business and economics. Busine…
  9. Riebe L., Jackson D. (2014). The use of rubrics in benchmarking and assessing employability skills. Journal o…
  10. Riordan D. A., Riordan M. P., Sullivan M. C. (2000). Writing across the accounting curriculum: An experiment.…
  11. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  12. Sigmar L. S., Hynes G. E. (2012). Major difference: An examination of student writing performance by major an…
  13. Williams J. A. S., Stanny C. J., Reid R. C., Hill C. J., Rosa K. M. (2015). Assessment of student memo assign…
  14. Young M. R., Murphy J. W. (2003). Integrating communications skills into the marketing curriculum: A case stu…
  15. 10.1177/1080569903261995