WRITING HP4

UNIT 5 Performance review summary

1/ Look at the notes. Write a performance review summary of about 200 words.

Write a performance review summary. Write 170–220 words. Use:

• the notes below (add relevant extra information where appropriate).
• some of the functional language in the box to help you.
Remember to:
• open the text in a positive way.
• include all the positive comments as well as constructive criticism.
• suggest a possible solution where appropriate.
• close on a positive note
Sample writing
I am very pleased with your achievements over the year, and particularly with the fact that our
latest project was completed on schedule and within budget.
You have displayed considerable communication and team-working skills. The feedback from
your line manager and the other team members praises you for listening actively and giving
clear advice whenever it is needed. In addition, you show a great aptitude for learning
advanced computer skills. Overall, your organizational skills are good. Nevertheless, you
should try to prioritise your tasks, not only on a given day, but also over a week. This will
make it easier for you at times when you have to work under pressure. In addition, I have also
noticed that you are not always able to attend meetings regularly, most probably because there
are sometimes too many demands on your time. This can easily be resolved by talking to your
line manager a few days in advance. Keep up the good work!
2/ Sample in book
I am pleased to report that you seem to have settled in well to your new job as team leader.
You demonstrate the ability to motivate your team with confidence, communicating effectively
with them. You give clear instructions, listen actively and are quick to understand new ideas.
You delegate work to match people’s skills and ensure that they have the authority to go with
that responsibility. You also recognize what your team needs, support them when necessary
and earn their trust and respect. In addition you adapt well to changes and take the initiative to
solve unexpected problems. More importantly, you consistently meet deadlines, and manage
your time effectively and have not fallen behind with work, despite the demands on your time.
I am encouraged by your work so far, despite occasional problems with defining your
expectations clearly enough for the team. You have been able to meet all your deadlines, which
has also been a great achievement, although sometimes this has affected accuracy.
Nevertheless, I am confident that these areas can be improved with more professional training.
Keep up the good work!
3/ Writing bank
Further to our performance review meeting on Friday, please find below a summary of the
main points discussed.
I am pleased to report that you have performed well during your internship with the company.
You have contributed well to the team, and feedback from your colleagues has been
exceptionally positive. You have demonstrated an ability to show initiative, and some of your
suggestions have significantly improved project management procedures in the department. It
has also been observed that your timekeeping and ability to meet deadlines have been very
good. Nevertheless, areas for improvement have been noted. These include extending
computer-coding skills and improving knowledge of how your present role interacts with other
departments within the company. This can easily be resolved with additional training – please
find attached details of suggested courses.
Overall, this has been a very positive start with the company and I have no hesitation in
offering you a permanent role with the department.
Functional language
Introduction
Further to our performance review meeting, please - nd below a summary of the main
points discussed.
Positive comments
I am pleased to report that you have performed well during your internship.
You have contributed well to the team.
Feedback from your colleagues has been exceptionally positive.
You have demonstrated an ability to show initiative.
Some of your suggestions have significantly improved project management procedures.
It has been observed that your timekeeping and ability to meet deadlines have been very
good.
You delegate work to match people’s skills.
You adapt well to changes and show a flexible attitude.
Your work indicates a good knowledge of marketing strategy.
 You display great aptitude for solving problems …
You exhibit good decision-making skills …
You consistently meet deadlines …
Constructive criticism
Nevertheless, areas for improvement have been noted.
These include extending computer skills and improving knowledge of other departments
within the company.
This can sometimes lead to communication problems.
Despite the good results, there has been some conflict within the team and this has not
always been addressed effectively.
You always complete the tasks quickly. However, accuracy needs to be improved.
Unfortunately, the results indicate that time management may be an issue.
There are three main areas where we would expect improvement: …
I am impressed with what you have done so far, despite …
Although you have done an excellent job, you …
Meeting all your deadlines has been a great achievement, although …
Nevertheless, I am confident that …
You successfully met all the targets but …
However, I feel that more training …
Suggested action
This can easily be resolved with additional training.
We feel you would bene- t from a training programme to improve your skills.
We will monitor progress over the next three months.
Conclusion Overall, this has been a very positive start.
We are very pleased with your performance.
We are confident that we will see an improvement in your next review.
Keep up the good work!
UNIT 6 Company newsletter
1/ Write an internal company newsletter of about 200 words. Use the structure and notes
below.

Sample writing
As part of our ‘Good Neighbour’ programme, our Education Outreach team has met with
representatives from three local high schools and have offered financial help with university
expenses for bright students who might struggle to pay for college. At a recent presentation,
CEO Joelle Van Espen said, ‘If I hadn’t had the opportunity to go university, I would never
have started this company. We need to support education.’
This month, we’re scheduling more meetings with school heads. We’re currently looking for
volunteers to visit schools and talk to students about the programme, and to explain the
application process. At the same time, we’re trying to make them aware of the work we do
here, and the career possibilities we offer.
The Education Outreach project has been so successful so far that we’re going to set up a work
experience programme for local high-school students. This will allow local students to get
valuable work experience, and it will also allow us to identify students who could offer a great
benefit to the company as employees in the future. If you don’t take this brilliant opportunity
to give something back to the young people of the community, then someone else will. Olivia
in Human Resources will answer any questions you have, and take the names of volunteers.
2/ Sample in book
Salvador Fidalgo is our ‘Hero of the month’ for his work on our local community programme.
He has formed and coached a football team of local teenagers and the youngsters have done
so well that they have just won a regional football competition. Salvador says he has had a
very rewarding time working with these youngsters and, as a result, he is going to start a second
team. We encourage all staff to participate in our programme, so you could become a
community hero, too. We are currently establishing a project to turn unused public spaces into
useful community gardens where local residents can grow both vegetables and decorative
plants. Therefore, if you are interested in gardening or just enjoy working outside, please
contact Human Resources immediately. We are going to run a competition next month so staff
can suggest ideas for other projects we can be involved in. A fabulous holiday is the prize for
the winning idea. What are you waiting for?
3/ Writing bank
I’d like to make all teams aware of an excellent opportunity that we hope you’ll be excited to
hear about. Mentor for Success is a charity which sends international teams to locations all
around the world to help young people develop career skills. The charity recently approached
our organisation to enquire whether any of our employees might be interested in taking part in
its next project.
You will all be aware that we have recently started a new initiative for staff to have paid
sabbaticals to take part in approved voluntary projects. So, we will be working together with
Mentor for Success to arrange for one of our teams to travel to Brazil for two weeks, to work
with young people and offer coaching and career support. Full training will be given during
work hours and all flights and accommodation will be covered.
To apply, make a video presentation with your team, explaining why you would like to be
considered for this opportunity and outlining the skills of different team members. This does
not need to be serious – make your presentation fun and interesting and capture our attention.
You will all receive an email in the next week with full details of how to apply. In the
meantime, take a look at the Mentor for Success blog for some feedback from one of the
participants from a previous scheme.
Functional language
Title
Brazil awaits!
Mentor for Success Brazil project
New opportunity for all staff!
Introduction
Want some time off work? Then you’ll be delighted to hear about this amazing
opportunity.
I’d like to make all teams aware of an excellent opportunity.
We are happy to announce that our company …
Staff are sure to be delighted to learn that …
Main information
 We are offering employees the opportunity to join an international team to …
The charity recently approached our organisation to enquire … and …
We are offering you the chance to join an international team …
To apply, make a video presentation with your team, explaining why you would like to
be considered.
You will all receive an email in the next week with full details of how to apply.
Conclusion
If you want to participate, then act now!
For more information on how to apply, contact Ian White in Marketing.
If you are interested in joining, contact HR.
Linking to additional content
Email us if you would like a brochure.
Join our LinkedIn page for more information on programmes.
In the meantime, take a look at the Mentor for Success blog for …
Recent news
Salvador has formed and coached a football team …
The young people have (just) won a regional competition.
He has had a rewarding time …
One of our new projects has been filmed for television.
We introduced a new holiday strategy two months ago
Current news
Salvador Fidalgo is our ‘Hero of the month’.
We are (currently) establishing a new garden-based project.
Residents can grow vegetable and plants …
A school is being built in South Africa.
Employees can now take advantage of extra discounts.
Future plans
… he is going to start a second team.
We are going to run a competition next month.
Only eco-friendly products will be sold.
Staff will have extra holiday for time spent on community work.