The Universe of Writing Concerns

Contributed by Deane Gradous, Twin Cities consultant

There are a wide variety of considerations when developing correspondence.

Type of correspondence

Audience

Task, relationship, and image

Organized for the reader

Letters (external)

· Decision
- - Good news
- - Bad news
· Persuasion
- - Networking
- - Sales
- - Requests

Memos, reports (internal)

· Research reports
· Status reports
· Meeting reports
· Trip reports
· Progress reports
· Procedures
· Newsletters
· Request for action

E-mail

Fax

Transparencies

Direction

· Up--management
· Down--associates
· Across--peers
· Out--customers

Reader analysis

· Decision maker
· Customer/client
· Regulator
· Expert/ non-expert
· Technician
· Operator
· Manager

Purpose

Tone

· Turn on/off
· Connotation/ denotation

Style

· Formal
· Informal
· Conversational
· Personal
· Impersonal

Correctness

· Grammar
· Spelling
· Proofreading

Strength

· Concision
· Active voice

Relationship issues

· "You" focus
· Positive
· Empathic
· Inclusive
· Problem solving
· Collaborative

Indirect

Direct

Methods of development

· Order of importance
· By time
· By space, etc.

Layouts

Headings

Data

Graphs

Illustrations

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For the Category of Communications (Business Writing):

Related Library Topics

Recommended Books

General Information

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Also See

Communications (Organizational) -- Recommended Books

Communications (Interpersonal) -- Recommended Books