Work Order — Lesson #14 | Stage | Time | Purpose & Activity | Instructor Notes |
| Kick-Off | 2-3 min | Prompt: Compare texting a friend vs. emailing a teacher or supervisor. | Guide discussion: audience determines tone, detail, and structure. |
| Core Concepts | 5-7 min | Teach and model the Five Keys of Professional Writing:
• Tone
• Subject Line
• Greeting
• Organized Body
• Signature | Use real-life email samples or examples from your inbox (with identifiers removed). |
| Guided Work Time | 12-15 min | Use the WBL Lesson #14 Supplement — "Fix the Email" Activity Resource.
Tier 1: "Fix the Email" — Students review five unprofessional emails from the supplement, identify errors in tone and format, then rewrite one message using the Five Keys.
Tier 2: "Professional Message Challenge" — Students write a new email (e.g., request for feedback or deadline extension) and peer-review using the same checklist. | Circulate and observe student tone and structure. Reinforce positive habits (greetings, capitalization, sign-offs). Encourage peer feedback using the Five Keys list. |
| Reflection / Exit Ticket | 2-3 min | Prompt: "Why does tone matter in digital communication?" "What's one rule you'll use next time you send a professional message?" | Connect tone and clarity to digital footprint and online reputation (sets up Lesson #16 – Professional Digital Presence). |
Objectives
- Recognize the key components of professional written communication.
- Write concise, respectful, and properly formatted digital messages.
- Apply proofreading and tone-check strategies to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Supplement Integration Notes
- Distribute or project the WBL Lesson #14 Supplement: “Fix the Email” during Guided Work Time.
- Have Tier 1 students highlight errors before rewriting.
- For Tier 2, use the supplement as reference examples before drafting original emails.
- Optional extension: Students rewrite one unprofessional email into a professional version on-screen for group critique.
Key Term Reinforcement: Tone • Subject Line • Greeting • Body • Signature