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To be an effective communicator you need to make sure your message is clear and concise

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To be an effective communicator you need to make sure your message is clear and concise. One way to ensure it is clear is to eliminate any grammatical errors within your document. We have all read something where a spelling or grammatical error was embarrassing. Perhaps it has even happened to one of us! Mistakes such as this in your documents can have an extreme negative effect. The reader will no longer focus on your message but the mistakes you are presenting.


Keep in mind to check the discussions as often as you can to see what others have posted and to respond, adding substantively to the discussion. Please think about each of the following questions and respond not only to the question but also to what others are saying. Go through the questions one at a time with us. As we thoroughly explore each question, we will move on to the next question together.

First, let’s start with a question based on your experiences and/or opinion:

• When you receive a poorly written communication, what do you think of that message? How about the writer sending the document? The organization he or she is representing? Does anyone have an example you would like to share?

Now, integrating what you’ve gleaned from the readings, let’s move to the next question.
First, read the following paragraphs written by Rob Kyff in the San Jose Mercury News. There are at least 20 glaring spelling and grammar errors in the paragraphs.

“If I was a teacher, I’d feel badly that less and less students seem to understand the basic principals of good writing. Neither the oldest high school students nor the youngest kindergartner know proper usage. A student often thinks they can depend on word processing programs to correct they’re errors. Know way!

Watching TV all the time, its easy to see why their having trouble. TV interferes with them studying and it’s strong affect on children has alot to due with their grades. There’s other factors, too, including the indifference of parents like you and I. A Mom or Dad often doesn’t know grammer themselves. We should tell are children to study hard like we did at they’re age and to watch less TV then their classmates.”
 

• Based on this week’s learning materials, what suggestions would you offer Mr. Kyff for improving his writing? Please explain.
• One of the best ways to become a better writer is to have someone critique your work. Yet, many are very sensitive about their writing. What are some productive ways to provide feedback to someone without causing a blow to his/her self-confidence? Are there strategies that supervisors, colleagues, professors, etc… have used to help you that you would recommend?

This discussion will be graded using a rubric. Please review this rubric prior to beginning the discussion. You can view the rubric by clicking on "Discussion Rubric" on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here module. All discussions combined are worth 30% of your final course grade.

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on "Reply." Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click “Post Reply.” 

To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.

 

Participation in this discussion assesses the following outcomes: Examine the phases of the writing process. (CO6) Apply various revising techniques to messages written by others and yourself. (CO2)