9.25.2008

The Communication Problem

WHAT WILL YOU SAY?

Subject – the part of your environment you select to disclose to your audience

Thesis – the controlling idea of your communication

Information – the knowledge, observations, opinions, or research you use to support

the thesis

WHO WILL YOU SAY IT TO?

Audience – the person or group you intend this communication to reach

Types: specialized or general

Expectations: format and length

WHY WILL YOU SAY IT?

To persuade

To inform

To entertain

HOW WILL YOU SAY IT?

Rhetorical pattern by:

narration – explains by using a story

description – explains by putting the concept into 3-D space, appealing to the

senses

exemplification – explains by giving examples

process – explains by setting forth the steps or stages it takes to complete it

comparison/contrast – explains by showing likenesses/differences between

concept and something audience knows; or by showing likenesses/differences

between concept and other items or elements in its class

cause/effect – explains by tracing its origin and development or predicting how it

might change in the future

division/classification – explains by subdividing the concept into its parts or

by distinguishing the concept in relationship to its class

Argumentation by:

deductive reasoning – general to specific

inductive reasoning – specific to general

authority citation – referencing thoughts from a recognized authority on

subject

statistic application – using statistical information to emphasize a point

HOW WILL YOU EXECUTE IT?

Style – write/speak to the purpose and audience

Plan – outline

Editing – expect to do it!

Logic – does this make sense?

Limits – think time and space

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