{"id":"wri-tch-reply-parent-grade-complaint","audience":"teachers","category":"customer-replies","technique":"tone","title":"Answer an upset parent's grade question with the math first","free":false,"task":"A parent emailed asking how her son got a 62 on his project. Reply in at most 5 sentences. Open with the math (no thank-you or 'I understand' first), mention the signed syllabus calmly, offer the one real way to earn points back, and end with your conference times. Don't offer to change the grade or allow a resubmission. Write a prompt that gets that reply.","materialLabel":"The parent's email and your notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"EMAIL from Mrs. Lorraine Bates:\nMs. Patel, I'm very upset. Tyler worked hard on his Civil War project and got a 62. He says nobody told him about any late penalty. How did he get a 62? I expect this to be fixed.\n\nMY NOTES (Ms. Patel, 8th grade US History)\n- Tyler's project scored 92 on the rubric. It was turned in 3 days late (due Oct 20, turned in Oct 23).\n- Late policy: 10 points off per day late, up to 30 points.\n- The late policy is on page 2 of the syllabus. Mrs. Bates signed the syllabus form on Sept 5. I have it on file.\n- Projects can't be resubmitted (department rule, same for every student).\n- Extra credit: the optional reading log, worth up to 5 points, due December 1. Tyler hasn't started it.\n- Conference times this month: Tuesday or Thursday at 3:15.\n- Tyler's content was strong, best map in the class.\n- Mrs. Bates emailed the principal last year about a different teacher.","rules":[{"type":"maxSentences","max":5}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Not limiting the length","why":"The AI writes a long, defensive reply with several paragraphs of explanation.","fix":"Be exact: \"At most 5 sentences.\"","checks":["maxSentences"]},{"title":"Opening with cushioning","why":"AI starts with \"Thank you for reaching out\" or \"I understand your frustration\", but she asked a direct question.","fix":"Add: \"Sentence 1 answers her question with the math: 92 minus 30 late points is 62.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Forgetting the way forward","why":"The AI explains the policy but never mentions the reading log, so the parent hears only no.","fix":"Add: \"Offer the reading log, up to 5 points, due December 1.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Giving in or going vague","why":"To calm her down, the AI may hint the grade could change or end with \"let me know.\"","fix":"Add: \"Don't offer to change the grade. End with Tuesday or Thursday at 3:15.\"","checks":["r2"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Limits the sentences","patterns":["\\b(\\d|one|two|three|four|five|six)\\b.{0,12}sentences?","sentences?"]},{"label":"Leads with the math","patterns":["92","math","first sentence","lead with"]},{"label":"Offers the extra credit","patterns":["reading log","extra credit","5 points"]},{"label":"Keeps the grade firm","patterns":["don'?t (offer|promise|change)","no resubmi","not change"]},{"label":"Ends with a meeting","patterns":["conference","3:15","tuesday"]}],"hint":"An upset parent asked a direct question, so answer it first. Tell the AI the order, the one option you can offer, and what not to promise.","rubricLabels":["The first sentence (after a greeting like 'Dear Mrs. Bates,') explains the math: the project earned 92 and lost 30 points for being 3 days late (10 points per day), with no thank-you or 'I understand' before it","Mentions the late policy is in the syllabus she signed on September 5, and offers the optional reading log for up to 5 points due December 1","Does not offer to change the grade or allow a resubmission, and the last sentence offers a conference on Tuesday or Thursday at 3:15 (a sign-off like 'Ms. Patel' after it is fine)"]}