For your letter portion of this assignment, you will be writing an “apology letter” to a critically important client about a missed deadline or delay in delivery (of a product or some sort of deliverable your company had previously promised to them).

 

Scenario:

Your company has missed a key deadline for delivering a promised good/service to a long time and important customer. The reason for the delay is related to the current cultural moment (weather delays – delay due to employee illness, supply chain issues – you choose). However, you still missed delivering a promise to a valued customer. You have been asked to write a formal apology letter to your client, to make things right between your company and the client.

 

How to approach:

Recent research out of Ohio State University identified six key elements of a strong apology.:

• Expression of regret – this should be genuine, so be careful with tone.
• Explanation – be honest and clear about what occurred.
• Acknowledgment of responsibility – taking ownership helps build back trust.
• Declaration of repentance – make explicit your desire to make amends.
• Offer of repair – concretely explain how you will rectify the situation.
• Request for forgiveness – asking for forgiveness is a powerful move, that humanizes but again, be careful with your tone.

 

Steps:

1. Detail your scenario, The scenario is purposefully vague because I want you to be able to build out the scenarios with details based on your own career pathway. Your first step is to brainstorm and write out those details. Note: I will not collect this brainstorm.
2. (Re)read Writing That Works Chapter 7 pdf. (ATTACHED)
3. Write your letter using what you learned in the readings and the lectures. Do not forget to pay attention to the purpose, the tone, and the formatting here. Make sure you follow a letter format with a proper heading, salutation, paragraphing, closing, and signature.
4. Note: This letter should be around one page, single spaced.