Dear Sir.

I have just received your assessment of my last assignment. I must admit I am really upset that I did so badly in it. I thought that this time I might have done a little better. It was precisely because of my lack of confidence and assertiveness skills that I thought a correspondence course would suit me best and allow me to ‘flourish in quiet anonymity’, as your advert says, but I still can’t seem to understand the concepts.

 I felt I had addressed the situations and answered the questions, but after your critique I see I really do not have a clue. I’m sure you must find it really frustrating dealing with someone as hopeless as me and I do appreciate all the effort you put it and all the material you sent.

 Once I have mastered the course I hope to use the skills in the outside world but, as you so rightly say, that is a bit of a pipe dream.

 I have the new assignment and will do my best. I do so want to make you proud of me.

Yours in sorrow

Wendy

Dear Sir,

 I Left your letter unopened on the table for two days. I could just tell that it wasn’t good news and when I did, well, I was so right.  All those silly mistakes, even now I don’t quite understand them. I think the concepts are too complicated for me and, as you keep saying:- if I can’t do the theory how can I put it into practise. Your criticisms do hurt me but I know it is just tough love, and I am just letting you down which upsets me even more. I really do want to do well and will put more time into the next assignment. I’m sure I can do better

Yours Hopefully

Wendy.

Dear Sir,

Well I do take heart from the fact that you found, at least, a hint of merit in some of the approaches I had to the situations in the paper.  I am trying to be positive about the result, though I must agree with you, that by this stage of the course I should be doing much better. I’m sure it is concern over my lack of progress that is provoking such strong criticism from you and I am sorry to be causing you such distress. It does seem that I can’t do anything right. I don’t want to be the one to let the school down. I’m sure this assignment will show some improvement. I did feel I got to grips with the problems presented.

Yours in anticipation

Wendy.

Dear Sir,

 I have gone over your latest assessment a few times and I keep asking myself ‘How did I manage to do so badly?’ When I sent it off I was so sure I had made some really good points.  I really felt I had made some progress. I sense from your tone that you may be losing patience with me .I am doing my best not to be upset by your criticism, but try and rise to the challenge. I will carry on with the course, but I do wonder if I am cut out to be assertive. Perhaps some of us are destined to be ‘Weedy Wendys  [that’s what they call me at work. I don’t mind, though, they mostly ignore me ]  I hope this next assignment meets the standard.  I am starting to dread your comments

Yours in Exhaustion

Wendy

Dear Sir,

 I was dismayed to find that yet again I had not produced the appropriate responses. I don’t understand how I could have misread them. I realise that you have to call things as you see them but I’m sure I would benefit if the criticism were a little more helpful. I do realise it is frustrating for you to see mistakes repeated and I’m sure I deserve the comments but I do want to improve and a little more explanation would help me immensely. I know I said earlier that I would carry on with the course but I am wondering if being assertive is really worth all the heartache and effort. Perhaps I should stay the way I am.

 I spent a lot of time on this assignment. I really hope you see some improvement

Yours Expectantly

Wendy

Dear Sir.

I’m sure you will be pleased to know I am doing my best to stay positive after reading your recent assessment. I am disappointed to see that you can find no change or improvement in my attitude to the work.

 Despite being as hopeless as ever I am managing to stay positive. I am cheered by the fact that things are better at work. I have noticed they have stopped calling me Weedy Wendy; even Gill, who started it off, asked me if I was on HRT, cheeky cow. She’s not as happy as she makes out .So I might not be improving but things are.

 I know you will think it is heresy but I’m not sure if I want to be assertive. It seems to require such an awful effort. Anyway, you’ll be pleased to know that I finished the last assignment in record time. Some of the girls from work came round and helped me with it, quite a surprise.

Yours Optimistically

Wendy

Dear Sir,

I’m sorry you felt the need to invalidate that last assignment in view of the help I had. I do think that a bit harsh. I have taken my improvement seriously. I committed time and money and your accusation that I had none was unfair. As it is obvious I am never going to measure up to the schools standards of assertiveness there is no point in continuing. I have decided I do not want to be assertive and no-one is going to make me. I will stay as I am.  In consequence I would like a refund for the last three classes as I will not be taking them. Assertiveness is not for me. I have tried my best.

Yours Finally

Wendy

Dear Wendy Strang

As managing director of Home Learning I would like to take this opportunity to write to you personally. I am afraid we cannot refund you any monies, but I am happy to tell you that you will be receiving your diploma in Life Skills Assertiveness and your name will be entered in our roll of honour as you passed before the course ended. It has been a pleasure to watch your progress to full realisation and I am fully confidant that you will be able to put all these skills to good use in the outside world. By realising you have the confidence to reject assertiveness you have achieved the ultimate goal.

Once again my sincere congratulations