1.9 Planning Checklist
Linda Macdonald
John Thill and Courtland Bovee (Thill, J. V., & Bovee, C. L., 2004), two leading authors in the field of business communication, have created a checklist for planning business messages. Use the following checklist, adapted here, to ensure you have adequately prepared to write your message:
- Assess the context for your message, including the timing, location, and cultural environment.
- Determine your general purpose: Are you trying to inform, persuade, entertain, facilitate interaction, or motivate a reader?
- Determine your specific purpose (the desired outcome– what you want your audience to think, feel, or do).
- Make sure your purpose is realistic.
- Determine audience size and composition.
- Determine audience knowledge and awareness of topic.
- Anticipate probable responses.
- Select an appropriate channel.
- Make sure the information provided is accurate, ethical, and pertinent.
- Make sure your language is inclusive.
- Make sure your sources are credible.
- Make sure the message reflects positively on you and your business.
Photo: “New York City Street Scenes – Shadows of Business People at Evening Rush Hour, Herald Square” by Steven Pisano is licensed under CC BY 2.0
References
Thill, J. V., & Bovee, C. L. (2004). Business communication today (8th ed.). Prentice Hall.
