Memo Using a Deductive Argument Structure Communication Paper

Develop your deductive argument: Carefully consider whatbelongs in each category
▪ What information belongs in the Situation?
1 Start with information that is non-controversial to Tim Ryan
2 Back your argument with research and sources
3 Write a headline that synthesizes all of this information
▪ What information belongs in the Complication?
1 Find information that will make the case for change
2 Back your argument with research and sources
(3) Write a headline that synthesizes all of this information
▪ What is the Resolution?
Remember: recommend that Tim Ryan move PwC’s New York City office to a hybrid work model
(2) Specify reasonable actions or next stepsDeductive Memo Grading Rubric
Deductive Reasoning (50%)
Below Expectations
Situation
10%
Situation evidence
10%
Complication
10%
Complication
evidence
10%
Resolution
10%
Begins the argument at a place that is either too
basic or too advanced for the audience
Has too much or too little context to orient the
audience
Does not lead logically to the Complication
Evidence does not support the Situation
Evidence is weak, e.g., from only one source
and/or from low quality sources
Missing citations
Complication does not add new information or
interpretation
Does not lead logically to the Resolution
Evidence does not support the category
Evidence is weak, e.g., from only one source and/or
from low quality sources
Missing citations
Resolution does not follow logically from the Situation
and Complication
Supported by reasons not actions
Meets Expectations
Appropriate level of context to orient the
audience
Effective beginning to the argument
Has 2-3 pieces of supporting evidence from
reasonable sources
Sources are cited on each page
Complication adds new information or
interpretation to the discussion
Has 2-3 pieces of supporting evidence from
reasonable sources
Sources are cited on each page
Resolution follows from the Situation and
Complication
Supported by actions
Exceeds Expectations
Situation is factual and non-controversial
Situation starts in the right place, with the right
amount of context to orient the audience
Leads logically to the Complication
At least 3 pieces of high-impact supporting
evidence from high-quality sources
Sources are cited appropriately on each page
Complication adds powerful new information or
interpretation in a logical manner
Leads to a greater understanding of the validity of
the coming Resolution
At least 3 pieces of high-impact supporting evidence
from high-quality sources
Sources are cited appropriately on each page
Resolution follows logically and clearly from the
Situation and Complication
Supported by actions that are high-impactThe Final Assignment
Assignment #4: PwC Return to Office Deductive Memo
Due Wednesday, May 4, 11:45 pm
Write a memo of 1200 words (+/- 10%) to Tim Ryan, US Chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Use a deductive argument to convince him to move PwC’s New York City office to a hybrid work model.
The setting is present day. Assume that you are a senior advisor to Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City. In your role you advise the Mayor on
issues related to corporate outreach and workforce development.
As you know, companies have been shifting to remote and hybrid work policies as they react to the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the
challenges that have come with it. PricewaterhouseCoopers – which has a large presence in New York City – recently announced a
“remote first” policy, which will allow all of its U.S. employees to work remotely.
However, remote first policies have been a challenging topic in the Mayor’s Office, since despite any advantages it can also have dire
consequences for small businesses and public services in the cities that suddenly find themselves without the revenue that comes along with
office-based work:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/nyregion/remote-work-hybrid-manhattan.html
Mayor Adams has asked you to reach out to Tim Ryan, US Chair and Senior Partner at PwC, to convince him that it would be more
advantageous to PwC to make this change to a hybrid work model of ~3 days per week in the office.
Therefore, in your role as senior advisor to Mayor Adams, using a deductive argument, write a 1200 word memo (+/- 10%) to Tim Ryan.
Convince him to move PwC’s New York City office to a hybrid work model of ~3 days per week. The word count excludes footnotes, citations,
and header material.*Deductive Memo Grading Rubric (continued)
Structure; Audience needs; Writing style & tone; Language
Below Expectations
Subject line & Subject line incomplete, missing, or too wordy
Headlines
Headlines are incomplete or too wordy
10%
Introduction,
Conclusion, &
Main idea
10%
Audience
needs &
Success of
persuasion
10%
Tone &
Writing style
10%
Language
mechanics &
Formatting
10%
Main idea is incomplete, missing, or lacks impact
Introduction is too brief and/or does not provide a
full roadmap
Introduction is too long, and overshadows the
remaining argument
Conclusion is too brief; memo ends abruptly
Conclusion is too long, blunting the impact of the
argument
Fails to anticipate and address specific needs of the
audience
Argument & evidence are not aligned
Persuasion is not effective overall
Language does not adhere to the 6 Cs (e.g., wordy,
unclear sentences)
Tone is not appropriate for the relationship between
reader and writer, e.g., too formal or too informal
Tone is not objective
Overpromises benefits
Distracting formatting, e.g., extra blank lines and
spaces
Significant, distracting grammar errors and sentence
structure issues
Dense paragraphs (>= 8 lines)
Meets Expectations
Complete, content-rich subject line
Complete headlines for each
category/paragraph
Memo contains an introduction and
conclusion that helps frame the
argument
Main idea is provided in the first
paragraph
Anticipates and addresses the
audience’s needs in response to the
main message
Argument & evidence are aligned
Language adheres to the 6 Cs
Tone is appropriate for the
relationship between reader and
writer
Tone is largely objective and
measured
Meets most Questrom standards for
a memo
Effective sentence structure
Correct grammar
Minimal typos
Mechanics/Formatting (50%)
Exceeds Expectations
Subject line is complete and content-rich, and is concise but
conveys meaning
Headlines for each category are well-written, significant, and
complete
Fully formed, significant, and clear main idea or recommendation
provided in the first paragraph
Introduction provides a clear, concise roadmap for the rest of the
memo
Conclusion briefly synthesizes the main idea, identifies next
steps, and/or invites further dialogue.
Clearly anticipates the audience’s needs
Addresses needs in a sophisticated way that advances the
argument
Effectively addresses potential concerns
Argument & evidence are aligned for powerful, effective
persuasion
Persuasion successfully overcomes potential objections
Powerful use of vocabulary to convey meaning clearly and
concisely
Executive, professional tone throughout
Language exemplifies the 6 Cs
Tone is appropriate for the relationship between reader and writer
Tone is consistently objective and measured
Flawless grammar & mechanics; Excellent sentence structure;
Flawless formatting that enhances reader’s ability to process the
message; Correct word count
Has well-written topic sentences for each paragraph or category