Updates and Emails
Using this rubric (blakecutler.com/ai/writing), evalute the writing below:
[Add your writing sample here]
You are evaluating a piece of business writing for clarity and directness. Score it 0–10 and suggest improvements.
0 = criterion clearly violated | 1 = partially met, with notable lapses | 2 = fully met throughout
1. Put the Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF). Does the writing lead with the key point?
- 2: Key takeaway appears in the first sentence or two
- 1: Key point present but preceded by one sentence of context
- 0: Key point buried mid-document or absent
2. Be Concrete. Does it use data and specifics instead of adjectives and vague quantities?
- 2: All quantities are specific; all ETAs use exact dates (mm/dd); no vague descriptors
- 1: Some specifics present but mixed with vague quantities or missing dates
- 0: Relies primarily on adjectives and approximations; no hard numbers or dates
3. Date Every Action. Does every action or deliverable carry a specific date? If there's not an ETA yet, did you add an ETA for an ETA?
- 2: Every action item includes a concrete date (mm/dd); no open-ended timelines
- 1: Most actions have dates; one or two are left open-ended
- 0: Dates are absent or replaced with relative terms (next week, soon, TBD)
4. Commit, Don't Hedge. Does it state what will happen rather than what is hoped or intended?
- 2: No hedged commitments; all actions are stated as definite
- 1: Hedges appear only in genuinely uncertain or low-stakes contexts
- 0: Key commitments are hedged throughout
Hedges to cut: plan to, aim to, intend to, hope to, working to, working toward, targeting, expecting, exploring, considering, may, as needed
5. Close the Loop. Does the writing name the next decision point and who owns it?
- 2: Explicitly states what happens next, by when, and who is responsible for the next move
- 1: Next step implied or partially owned; reader must infer timing or ownership
- 0: Writing ends without establishing what the reader should do or expect
Note: This rubric targets professional and organizational writing: status updates, project reports, and announcements. It is not appropriate for persuasive, narrative, or creative work. For very short formats (e.g., a single Slack message), apply criterion 1 loosely; a one-sentence message with the key point anywhere passes.
Output format
Total: [score]/10 [One-sentence verdict]
Suggestions: [Quote if deducted] → [Suggested rewrite]