Monday, October 6, 2008

Harty 207-275

VISUALS.....
  • Tables are useful for showing large numbers of specific, related data in brief space.
  • When you reprint a preexisting image, you must acknowledge who you're borrowing from
  • Line graphs show the relationship between two or more sets of figures
  • Bar graphs show different types of information during different periods of time
  • Picture graphs are popular in presentations because they add an element of entertainment to the data
  • Drawings are good when you need to focus on details or relationships that a photograph cannot capture
  • Flowcharts show the stages of a process from beginning to end
  • Maps can be used to show the specific geographic features of an area or to show geographical distribution
PERSUASION....
  • Consider whether your views will make problems for readers-- if your views are bad news for readers, report them with tact and put yourself in the readers' shoes
  • Don't offer new ideas for change until your readers are prepared for them
  • Your credibility with readers affects your strategy- given credibility can result from your position in an organization, acquired credibility is earned by thoughts and facts in the written message
  • if your audience disagrees or is uncertain about your ideas, present both sides of the argument
  • make your recommendation or opinion clear
  • Put strongest points last if audience is very interested, first if not so much
  • Don't count on changing attitudes by offering information alone
  • testimonials are most persuasive when drawn from people with whom readers associate with
  • be wary of using extreme claims and facts
  • tailor your presentation to the reasons for readers attitudes if you know them
  • never mention other people without considering their possible effect on the reader
PROPOSALS....
  • approach writing a proposal as a problem-solving activity
  • regard your audience as skeptical readers
  • research your proposal carefully
  • prove that your proposal is workable
  • be sure it is financially realistic
  • package your proposal attractively 
STYLE.....
  • style illustrates your clear-headedness, your emphasis on quality, and your willingness to communicate and work with your readers
  • write plain sentences to instruct the readers about a situation or process
  • plain sentence- the subject should be what the sentence is about, make the doer the subject, state the action in the verb, put subject early in sentence
  • given/new method- every sentence should contain something the readers already know and something new that the readers do not know

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