One-Minute Communications Tips Archive
January 2008

Should You Be Direct or Indirect?

There are times when business communicators should get to the point quickly, and times when they should not. Here's a short guide to deciding when to say your main idea first, and when to start with supporting points.

Begin with the main idea when:

• You're writing to a boss
• You're making a routine request or announcement
• Your idea will be favorably received
• Your audience is well informed about the subject.

Begin with reasons, and state your main idea later, when:

• You expect resistance to your idea
• You're trying to persuade the reader to change an attitude or take some action
• Your audience has little or no knowledge of the subject
• Your audience prefers this format.
   

© Arun Sinha, Access Communications. Access Communications is a marketing communications and technical writing firm based in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. Sign up for Access Communications's One-Minute Communication Tip at http://www.AccessConsultingInc.com. Once a month, you'll receive an actionable idea or technique on an aspect of business communications, distilled into about 150 words.

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