Grade: Grade 12 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Professional Communication Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: ExpressionOfIdeas ACT: English

Unit Checkpoint: Professional Communication

Learn

This checkpoint assesses your mastery of professional communication skills covered throughout the unit. Before completing the assessment, review the key concepts from each lesson.

Unit Review: Key Concepts

Lesson 1: Business Writing

  • Professional email structure and etiquette
  • Formal letter formatting and conventions
  • Audience awareness and appropriate tone
  • Clear subject lines and purpose statements

Lesson 2: Effective Presentations

  • Organizing content for oral delivery
  • Visual aid design principles
  • Engaging audiences and handling questions
  • Professional speaking techniques

Lesson 3: Professional Documents

  • Memo, report, and proposal formats
  • Executive summary writing
  • Document formatting standards
  • Purpose-driven structure

Lesson 4: Real-World Applications

  • Cover letters and job application materials
  • Client and stakeholder communication
  • Internal team communication
  • Adapting to context and relationships

Lesson 5: Editing Workshop

  • Multi-pass editing approach
  • Clarity and concision strategies
  • Tone adjustment techniques
  • Common professional writing errors

Assessment Guidelines

This checkpoint includes multiple-choice questions, short-answer responses, and a writing application task. Aim to complete the assessment in 45-60 minutes.

Examples

Review these examples of strong professional communication before beginning the assessment.

Example 1: Effective Professional Email

Context: Following up on a job interview

Subject: Thank You - Marketing Coordinator Interview

Dear Ms. Patterson,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday about the Marketing Coordinator position. I enjoyed learning about Westfield Media's upcoming product launch and the creative campaigns your team is developing.

Our conversation reinforced my enthusiasm for this role. My experience managing social media campaigns at the university newspaper aligns well with your need for someone who can create engaging content across multiple platforms.

I look forward to hearing from you about next steps. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information.

Best regards,
Jordan Chen
jordan.chen@email.com
(555) 123-4567

Why it works: Specific reference to the interview, connection between qualifications and role, professional tone, clear contact information.

Example 2: Professional Problem-Solving Response

Context: Addressing a project delay with a client

Subject: Website Project Update - Revised Timeline

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to update you on the website redesign project. During our testing phase, we identified mobile responsiveness issues that would affect user experience on smartphones and tablets.

Recommendation: Extend the timeline by five business days to ensure the site performs well across all devices.

What this means for you:

  • New launch date: February 20th
  • All functionality will work seamlessly on mobile
  • No additional cost for this revision work

I'm available for a call this week if you'd like to discuss further. Would Thursday at 2:00 PM work for your schedule?

Thanks for your understanding,
Alex Rivera

Why it works: Leads with solution, provides clear timeline, anticipates client concerns, offers next steps.

Practice

Complete all items to assess your professional communication skills.

Part A: Multiple Choice (Items 1-8)

Practice Item 1

Which email subject line is most professional and effective?

  1. "Quick question!!"
  2. "Request for Q3 Budget Approval - Due Friday"
  3. "URGENT PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY"
  4. "hey"

Practice Item 2

When delivering difficult news in a professional email, you should:

  1. Bury the bad news in the middle of a long paragraph
  2. Blame others to deflect responsibility
  3. State the situation clearly, explain the reason, and propose solutions
  4. Use excessive apologies to seem sympathetic

Practice Item 3

Which sentence demonstrates appropriate use of active voice?

  1. "The report was submitted by the team on Friday."
  2. "Mistakes were made in the calculation."
  3. "Our team submitted the report on Friday."
  4. "It was determined that changes were needed."

Practice Item 4

The primary purpose of an executive summary is to:

  1. Replace the full document for all readers
  2. Provide busy decision-makers with key findings and recommendations
  3. List every detail from the complete report
  4. Demonstrate the writer's research thoroughness

Practice Item 5

Which revision best improves this wordy sentence: "It is important to note that the deadline for the project is next Friday."

  1. "The project deadline is next Friday."
  2. "What is important to note is that the project deadline happens to be next Friday."
  3. "Please be advised that the deadline for the project that we are working on is scheduled for next Friday."
  4. "Note that it is important that the deadline is next Friday for the project."

Practice Item 6

In a cover letter, the opening paragraph should:

  1. List your entire work history chronologically
  2. State which position you're applying for and create a compelling connection to the role
  3. Explain why you need the job for financial reasons
  4. Criticize your current employer

Practice Item 7

Which is the correct use of the apostrophe?

  1. "The company updated it's policies."
  2. "The employees' meeting was cancelled." (multiple employees)
  3. "Its' time to start the meeting."
  4. "The teams progress was impressive." (one team)

Practice Item 8

When providing feedback to a colleague, constructive criticism should:

  1. Focus only on what went wrong
  2. Include specific observations and actionable suggestions for improvement
  3. Compare the person unfavorably to other colleagues
  4. Be delivered publicly to ensure accountability

Part B: Short Answer (Items 9-12)

Practice Item 9

Revise the following sentence for clarity and concision:

"Due to the fact that we are currently in the process of reviewing the budget at this point in time, we will not be able to make a decision with regard to your request until a later date."

Practice Item 10

Write a professional email subject line for the following scenario: You need to request a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your professional development goals for the upcoming year.

Practice Item 11

Identify two specific problems with this memo opening and explain how to fix them:

"Hey everyone! So I wanted to let u know that we're gonna be changing the vacation policy starting next month. Its gonna be different so pay attention lol."

Practice Item 12

Convert this passive sentence to active voice and explain why active voice is preferred in professional writing:

"The quarterly sales targets were exceeded by the marketing team."

Part C: Writing Application (Items 13-14)

Practice Item 13

Write a professional email (100-150 words) for the following scenario:

Scenario: You are a customer service representative. A client, Mr. Thompson, ordered a product that arrived damaged. He has emailed requesting a replacement. Write your response email that apologizes professionally, explains the resolution, and maintains a positive relationship.

Your email should include:

  • Professional subject line
  • Appropriate greeting
  • Clear acknowledgment of the issue
  • Specific solution with timeline
  • Professional closing

Practice Item 14

Write the opening paragraph of a cover letter (75-100 words) for this scenario:

Position: Summer Internship - Communications Assistant at a nonprofit environmental organization

Your background: High school senior, editor of school newspaper, volunteer experience with local park cleanup events, strong writing skills

Your opening paragraph should:

  • Identify the position you're applying for
  • Demonstrate knowledge of or interest in the organization
  • Highlight one relevant qualification
  • Create a compelling connection between your experience and the role

Check Your Understanding

Answer Key: Part A

Item 1

View Answer

B. "Request for Q3 Budget Approval - Due Friday" - This subject line is specific, professional, and includes a deadline for action.

Item 2

View Answer

C. State the situation clearly, explain the reason, and propose solutions. This approach is honest, professional, and action-oriented.

Item 3

View Answer

C. "Our team submitted the report on Friday." - The subject (team) performs the action (submitted), making this active voice.

Item 4

View Answer

B. Provide busy decision-makers with key findings and recommendations. Executive summaries distill essential information for time-constrained readers.

Item 5

View Answer

A. "The project deadline is next Friday." - This version eliminates unnecessary filler phrases while retaining all essential information.

Item 6

View Answer

B. State which position you're applying for and create a compelling connection to the role. The opening should immediately engage the reader with relevant qualifications.

Item 7

View Answer

B. "The employees' meeting was cancelled." - The apostrophe correctly shows possession for plural employees.

Item 8

View Answer

B. Include specific observations and actionable suggestions for improvement. Constructive feedback identifies concrete areas for growth and provides a path forward.

Sample Answers: Part B

Item 9 Sample Answer

View Answer

Revised: "Because we are reviewing the budget, we will respond to your request next week." (Original: 41 words; Revised: 15 words)

Item 10 Sample Answer

View Answer

Sample subject line: "Meeting Request: 2026 Professional Development Goals"

Item 11 Sample Answer

View Answer

Problems and fixes:

  1. Informal language and abbreviations: "Hey," "u," "gonna," and "lol" are inappropriate for professional memos. Fix: Use professional language like "Dear colleagues" or "To all staff" and write out complete words.
  2. Grammatical errors: "Its" should be "It's" (contraction of "it is"). Fix: Proofread for apostrophe errors and other grammatical issues before sending.

Item 12 Sample Answer

View Answer

Active voice: "The marketing team exceeded quarterly sales targets."

Why active voice is preferred: Active voice clearly identifies who performed the action, creates more direct and engaging prose, and typically uses fewer words. In professional contexts, it demonstrates accountability and clarity.

Rubric: Part C

Writing Application Scoring Guidelines

View Rubric

Strong Response (4 points):

  • Professional format with appropriate greeting and closing
  • Clear, specific content addressing the scenario requirements
  • Appropriate tone for the context and audience
  • Few or no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors

Adequate Response (3 points):

  • Generally professional format
  • Addresses most scenario requirements
  • Appropriate tone with minor inconsistencies
  • Some errors that do not significantly impede understanding

Developing Response (2 points):

  • Basic format with some professional elements
  • Addresses some scenario requirements
  • Tone inconsistencies or inappropriate choices
  • Multiple errors that may affect clarity

Beginning Response (1 point):

  • Missing or incorrect format elements
  • Does not adequately address scenario
  • Inappropriate tone throughout
  • Significant errors impede understanding

Next Steps

  • Review any items you found challenging
  • Revisit specific lessons for areas needing additional practice
  • Create a portfolio of professional writing samples
  • Apply these skills to real-world opportunities: internship applications, networking emails, and class projects
  • Continue developing your professional communication skills in college and career settings

Congratulations!

You have completed the Professional Communication unit. These skills will serve you well in college applications, internships, first jobs, and throughout your professional career. Clear, professional communication sets you apart and opens doors to new opportunities.