Communicating your ideas

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Communicating your ideas
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Writing usually does one of three things

• Informs
• Explains
• Presents an argument

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Writing to inform

• Good, informational writing is
• Clear
• Simple
• Orderly

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Writing to inform

• The best communications state the point
  directly and present the information
  clearly.

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Getting started

• Summarize the main idea of your communication in
  a simple sentence.
• The sentence should answer the
  question
• Why am I writing this?

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Step 2

• Think about your audience. Who will be reading
  your writing?
• What is your relationship with the audience?
  Superiors? Colleagues?
• Thinking about the audience helps you to use an
  appropriate tone or attitude.

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Third step

• Brainstorm all the information that must
  be included in the communication.
• Create a web or an outline. Use the method that
  works best for you.
• Get the information on paper so you can see it!

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Next step

• What is the most effective way of organizing your
  information?
• Spatial order the order in which items are
  arranged in relationship to each other.
• Chronological order time order.
• Logical order begin with the most basic
  premise, follow with what can be derived from
  that premise.

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Other types of order

• General to specific begin with a general
  statement, arrive at a specific fact. This is an
  example of deductive reasoning.
• Specific to general arrive at a generalization
  from a series of specific facts. This is an
  example of inductive reasoning.

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The task begins!

• Now you will begin writing.
• Your first paragraph will state the purpose of
  the communication.
• Be certain to have a clear thesis statement.

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Develop each idea

• Support each idea you introduced in the first
  paragraph.
• Remember, one idea per paragraph.
• If the supporting idea can be presented as
  effectively in list form as they can in sentence
  form, use a bulleted list similar to those in
  outlines.

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Writing to explain

• You may need to provide reasons for an action
  or policy.
• You may have to explain how a product is used.
• Follow the same planning process as the
  informative assignment just presented.

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Six simple steps!

1. Summarize the main idea and purpose.
2. Determine your audience.
3. Brainstorm ideas.
4. Organize ideas.
5. Begin by stating the purpose.
6. Develop the ideas in paragraphs.

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Keep in mind

• Present the steps in logical order.
• Chronological order is usually best.
• Be certain to explain each step clearly.
• Use facts and examples to support your points.
• The introductory and concluding paragraphs will
  help lay a foundation and review the information
  presented.

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Writing to persuade

• A clear, convincing argument may be a single
  message or may be a series of exchanges.
• A persuasive paper must have three common
  characteristics
• Logical order, solid support, credibility

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Logical order

• If you reader cannot recognize or follow your
  idea, you will not reach the desired end result.
• Strongest positions are the beginning and the
  ending. Place your strongest argument in one
  position and arrange the rest in a way they can
  be clearly stated and linked together.

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Solid support

• Good persuasion makes a clear strong claims but
  also proves the claim with solid support.
• Provide support with
• Examples
• Objective evidence
• Citing an authority
• Analogy

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Examples

• These are the easiest form of support. Your
  examples can be either personal or researched.
  Perhaps your reader will be able to relate to
  your experience.

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Objective evidence

• Facts and statistics lend credibility to any
  argument. Make certain your information comes
  from a reliable source and you cite it properly.
• Do not take credit for ideas that are not your
  own.

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Citing an authority

• Use a qualified, timely authority whose opinions
  are applicable to your special situations.
• If the reader is not familiar with the authority,
  explain why the person is qualified.

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Analogy

• If you can think of a clear comparison, present
  the idea. Carefully point out all the
  similarities and explain why the comparison is
  useful and applicable.

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Credibility

• If the reader believes the writer is providing
  truthful information, there is credibility.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the subject.
• Demonstrate fairness and objectivity.
• Seek areas of agreement

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The power of the written word

• You have learned this quarter that the written
  word is powerful. You have also discovered that
  you are writers. Combine these two and realize
  that your thoughts and opinions are valuable
  tools in our world.
• Do not be afraid to express yourself.
• Take risks!

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Final thought

• Whenever you are playing it too safe, remember
  these words
• If you are not living on the edge,
• you are taking up too much room!