For this discussion, you will create a comprehensive communication strategy for a real or hypothetical public service agency. Your plan should show how the agency will communicate during routine operations, during a crisis or emergency, and after an incident that may affect public trust.
Your post should include:
A brief agency profile and communication context
A routine communication plan
A crisis and emergency communication plan
A post-incident trust-rebuilding strategy
A short rationale explaining how your plan responds to issues such as media pressure, misinformation, ethics, transparency, and legitimacy
Integration of at least seven course readings or resources from Weeks 1–5 through in-text citations and explanation of how those sources informed your choices
A complete reference list
Alignment with Prompt & Use of Course Resources Focuses on how completely and accurately the post responds to the explicit elements of the assignment prompt. Evaluates whether the agency profile and communication context are clearly established; whether all required components (routine plan, crisis/emergency plan, post-incident trust strategy, and rationale) are present and on-topic; and whether the response prominently integrates and properly cites at least seven relevant course readings or resources from Weeks 1–5, with clear explanations of how those sources inform specific choices in the plan.
Analytic Depth, Originality, & Critical Engagement Focuses on the thoughtfulness and originality of the student’s analysis and decisions throughout the blueprint. Evaluates how well the post goes beyond description to explain and justify choices, draw connections across course concepts, and critically reflect on tradeoffs and challenges in public communication. Assesses the extent to which the student offers distinctive insights, nuanced reasoning, or creative but realistic approaches that demonstrate higher-order thinking rather than formulaic or purely surface-level responses.
Communication Strategy Design & Ethical/Practical Soundness Focuses on the substance and practicality of the proposed communication plans across all required phases: routine operations, crisis/emergency, and post-incident trust rebuilding. Evaluates whether each phase includes specific, actionable strategies, appropriate channels and audiences, and clear roles or processes that reflect realistic public service communication practice. Assesses how well the plan anticipates and addresses media pressure, misinformation, ethics, transparency, and legitimacy, and whether the trust-rebuilding strategy is credible and responsive to damaged public confidence.
Organization, Clarity, & Academic Writing Conventions Focuses on presentation quality and formal writing standards expected in upper-level college work. Evaluates the organization of headings and sections so that the routine, crisis, and post-incident plans and rationale are easy to locate and follow. Considers clarity of paragraphing and transitions between sections, as well as the coherence of the overall blueprint as a unified plan. Assesses grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for readability, as well as adherence to any required academic or citation style and the completeness and accuracy of the reference list.
