Taking the planning structure discussed in Chapter 3 in Business Writing Today:
Decide on the best content to discuss the problems, solutions, audience, and call to action needed for your proposal.
Consider how to organize the beginning and middle, to make it end with action from your audience.
For your discussion post, share some of your problems, solutions, or your call to action.
Show how you will organize them by adding your draft outline to your discussion post.
Review strategic communications outlines from at least two of your peers. Provide feedback.
Don’t be afraid to challenge their assumptions, suggest new possibilities, and affirm their choices when those choices are good.
Description:
What is your challenge or opportunity?
Why is this professionally important to you?
Goal:
What goals or outcomes do you want to achieve with this communication?
Is the communication goal clear, concise, and actionable?
Audience:
Who is your target audience?
What are the professional positions of the audience members?
What demographic characteristics will the audience comprise?
What is your relationship to the audience?
What background knowledge and expertise does the audience have?
What does the audience know, feel about, and expect concerning this communication?
What preconceptions or biases do you possess that might prevent you from building rapport with your audience?
What information is available about your audience?
What research or sources will you use to obtain information about the audience?
What conclusions have you been able to draw about the audience?
What tone will you use to convey your message?
Is the setting casual or formal?
Is the communication personal or impersonal?