Eight C's of Effective Communication
Eight C’s of Effective Communication
Almost every text on writing or speaking skills lists a set of criteria that can be used to judge the effectiveness of a document or presentation.
If this list of words, all beginning with the letter C, helps you remember some of the criteria for good writing, the technique of alliteration has worked. If, however, this list leaves you cold, create your own list, but remember to retain the concept of each C-word in your newly created list.
|Clear |This is the most important C-word. If your reader cannot understand what you are trying to say |
| |or if he/she has to reread a section of your document, you have failed to communicate. |
| |Choose simple words/sentences—this is especially critical when describing complex ideas. |
| |Make only one point at a time. |
| |Offer frequent examples or provide illustrations to support your main points. |
| |Interpret critical results for your reader. |
| |Restate your ideas when appropriate |
|Complete |Have a definite topic sentence or introductory paragraph |
| |Answer all of the reporter-type questions (who, what, when, where, and why) in the middle |
| |section of your document. |
| |Have a definite concluding sentence or closing paragraph. |
|Concise |Check for repetitious or unnecessary words that can be deleted.
Almost every text on writing or speaking skills lists a set of criteria that can be used to judge the effectiveness of a document or presentation.
If this list of words, all beginning with the letter C, helps you remember some of the criteria for good writing, the technique of alliteration has worked. If, however, this list leaves you cold, create your own list, but remember to retain the concept of each C-word in your newly created list.
|Clear |This is the most important C-word. If your reader cannot understand what you are trying to say |
| |or if he/she has to reread a section of your document, you have failed to communicate. |
| |Choose simple words/sentences—this is especially critical when describing complex ideas. |
| |Make only one point at a time. |
| |Offer frequent examples or provide illustrations to support your main points. |
| |Interpret critical results for your reader. |
| |Restate your ideas when appropriate |
|Complete |Have a definite topic sentence or introductory paragraph |
| |Answer all of the reporter-type questions (who, what, when, where, and why) in the middle |
| |section of your document. |
| |Have a definite concluding sentence or closing paragraph. |
|Concise |Check for repetitious or unnecessary words that can be deleted.