BRIEFING NOTES
Key Information
● Type: Individual
● Weight: 5% each question (20% in total)
● Delivery: Assignment folder in SLATE.
● Due Date: As posted.
Expectations
You are expected to complete these assignments individually.
Respect for academic integrity is crucial to your success. Make sure you understand what constitutes
acts of academic dishonesty. Do not copy/paste from academic sources or the internet as this
constitutes plagiarism.
Students may use a service like Grammarly.com when preparing their paper. However, copying
references from online sources or textbooks and then using online translation services that
deliberately alter words is not advised.
Instructions
Each questions provides a fact situation, and you are being asked for your analysis, evaluation and a
recommendation on what to do or how to proceed. Prepare a briefing note that summarizes your
evaluation and analysis. A briefing note is a short paper or memo that informs senior management
about an issue, concern or problem. It is often used in organizations as a means of briefing senior
management and obtaining their agreement on how to proceed with a problem or issue.
Your briefing note should have sub-headings. It can be written with bullet points, but good grammar,
spelling and punctuation are expected. The use of jargon, slang or colloquialisms should be avoided.
A good briefing note will usually have sub-headings. You have discretion in how you organize your
briefing note. The following are examples of sub-headings you may want to consider using when
organizing your paper:
Issue;
Background;
Summation of Facts;
Options;
Evaluation;
Recommendation.
At the end of your briefing note please ensure you type your name and student number.
Additional guidance can be found here:
https://www.queensu.ca/sps/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.spswww/files/files/Resources/GovTalk/1_1
Style%20Guide%20.pdf
Sheridan College 1 of 5
https://web.uvic.ca/~sdoyle/E302/Notes/WritingBriefingNotes.html
Structure
Include a cover page with your name, student number and the course code.
Include table of contents clearly identifying each section of the assignment (introduction, job
description, sourcing strategy, onboarding plan).
Clearly identify the job you are hiring for in your opening paragraph.
Citation guide (where applicable): APA Style.
Format
● Length and space: 1-2 pages in length, 1.5 line spacing.
● Font type: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
● Font size: 12 points.
● File type: Word.
Resources
Most of the questions can be answered based on your evaluation, or with references to the textbook.
Before you begin your assignment, review the rubric at the end of this document to understand the
assignment expectations. Also, use the rubric to ensure inclusion of all marking criteria before
submitting your assignment.
How to Submit Your Assignment
Upload your completed Assignment to the Assignments folder in SLATE.
General Guidelines
● Please submit only ONE file per assignment (i.e., combine all documents into one file).
● Do not zip your files.
● Include your name in the filename (e.g. Last Name_First Name HR1.doc)
● Ensure that the name of your file does not include special characters such as symbols or
punctuation. Such characters may cause problems when uploading your file.
● Keep a copy of your assignment in case of technical problems.
Late Submission Policy
Late assignments will be subject to a 10% per day late penalty (includes weekends and holidays) for
up to three days. After this date, no assignment will be accepted and a grade of zero will be applied.
(N.B. This does not pertain to students who have an approved Accommodation and who have been
granted an extension). Extensions for course work by the instructor may be granted before the due
date for illness or emergencies only. Students may be asked to submit supporting documentation for
an extension request.
Sheridan College 2 of 5
Assignment Rubric
Criteria Meets All Expectations Meets Most of the Meets Some of the Does Not Meet
Expectations Expectations Expectations
Strategy The recommended The strategy or The strategy and The strategy and
strategy or recommendation(s) are approach are approach are
recommendation(s) are generally satisfactory. adequate but lacking incomplete, and
logical, well-reasoned There is some evidence in some specifics. there are few details
and complete. The of research and an There is limited provided. There is
approach shows understanding of the evidence of research little if any evidence
considerable evidence issue. (16-19 marks) or understanding of of research or an
of analysis and an the issue. (13-15 understanding of the
understanding of the marks) issue. (0 – 12
issue. (20-25 marks) marks)
Analysis Response Response demonstrates Response Response
demonstrates a a complete description, demonstrates an demonstrates an
complete description, and a satisfactory adequate description, incomplete
an insightful, well- analysis. a fair analysis. description,
supported analysis. analysis.
Response shows Response shows little
Response shows evidence of synthesis of evidence of synthesis Response shows no
strong evidence of ideas in course content. of ideas presented in evidence of
synthesis of ideas in course content. synthesis of ideas
course content. (16-19 marks) presented in course
(13-15 marks) content.
(20-25 marks)
(0 – 12 marks)
Sheridan College 3 of 5
Criteria Meets All Expectations Meets Most of the Meets Some of the Does Not Meet
Expectations Expectations Expectations
Structure Includes all required Includes most of the Some of the required Excludes most of
sections, as indicated in required sections, as sections are the required
the instructions. indicated in the incomplete, and/or do sections, and/or
instructions. not fully meet the does not address
Work is cited requirements the requirements
appropriately in APA Work is mostly cited indicated in the indicated in the
style, if included. appropriately in APA instructions. instructions.
style, if included.
(20-25 marks) Work is sometimes Work is not cited
(16-19 marks) cited appropriately in appropriately in APA
APA style, if included. style, if included.
(13-15 marks) (0 – 12 marks)
Organization Well organized with Mostly organized with No headings and Writing is unclear
headings and headings and subheadings. and disorganized.
subheadings. subheadings.
Writing is unclear Thoughts expressed
Writing is clear, Writing is mostly clear, and/or disorganized. are illogical or do not
concise, and coherent. concise, and coherent. flow.
Thoughts can only be
(11-15 marks) (8-10 marks) followed with difficulty. (0 – 3 marks)
(4-7 marks)
Grammar and No grammatical or Few grammatical and/or Several grammatical A significant number
Mechanics mechanical errors. mechanical errors. and/or mechanical of errors, which
errors that detract greatly affects
(9-10 marks) (7-8 marks) from the content. readability.
(4-6 marks) (0 – 3 marks)
Overall Score 80-100 63-79 50-62 Less than 50
Sheridan College 4 of 5
Sheridan College 5 of 5
