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One-Minute Communications Tips Archive
January 2008


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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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