Verbal and Written Communication

Verbal and Written Communication:
In Social Service Organizations

Styles of Written Communication Vary Internal External
Factual Memos
Policy Memos & Directives Analysis of Polices and Legislation (presents pros and cons)
Persuasive Policy Recommendations;
Internal efforts to motivate clients/staff Media Coverage
Lobbying & Advocacy Material
Fundraising Appeals
Both Persuasive & Factual Criteria for making policy and program decisions Research Reports to Public/Decision-makers – presents a point of view
Funding Proposals

Styles of Written Communication Vary
 Know who your audience is (supervisor, staff members, clients, public, funders, politicians).
 Keep the message simple.
 Keep the length of the document short unless more detail is needed to provide information or persuade your audience.
 Information in long documents should be summarized in the beginning of the document (executive summary).
 Statistical information should be presented in a way that can easily be understood by the intended audience (for example, charts and graphs).
In writing organization documents:
 Know who your audience is (supervisor, staff members, clients, public, funders, politicians).
 Keep the message simple.
 Keep the length of the document short unless more detail is needed to provide information or persuade your audience.
 Information in long documents should be summarized in the beginning of the document (executive summary).
 Statistical information should be presented in a way that can easily be understood by the intended audience (for example, charts and graphs).
Use the following formatting techniques
 Short memo format if feasible
 Subheadings
 “Bullet points” or outline format
 Use subheadings instead of lengthy transition statements
 Keep reports and other documents for the public short
 Add more detail if the audience are key decision-makers or people with expertise in a specific field.
 Technical language is o.k. in