Audience Involvement

You View Maximize benefit of Other (reader or audience = You) Minimize benefit to Self (speaker/writer = I, Me); Create a sense of team by We/Us to build rapport.

Which of these reflect You View?

1. We offer evening language courses that we know are excellent for you. 2. The sooner you enroll in our evening language courses, the sooner the rewards will be yours. 3. I have scheduled your vacation to begin May 1. 4. You may begin your vacation May 1.

Audience Recognition
Knowledge: specialist; semi-specialist; lay people; Cultural diversity: cross-cultural differences regarding signs, images, colors, dates (5/6/2012), measurement (yard, mile), time (1:15/ 13;15);

Avoiding Biased Language

Ageist language: elderly; old folks; Mr. Adam, an elderly HR employee, is studying for his PH.D. despite his age. Language about people with disabilities: handicapped; disabilities; special needs (offensive and creating a negative image) Despite being blind, he won the Employee of the month.

Avoid Gender-Biased Language (Sexist Language)

Instead of this: Have you called a salesman? Every executive has his own office. Use Have you called a salesperson? All executives have their own offices.

What about these?

The Company invited computer specialists and their wives to the party. Mrs. Johns, a pretty young woman, is the assistant of Mr. Joe The secretary brought her manager his coffee. A good lawyer makes sure that his clients are aware of their rights. Wise men; lay/common man; manpower; mankind; foreman

Re-Write
1. I have granted you permission to attend the communication seminar. 2. We have shipped your order by UPS, and we are sure it w 3. Im asking all employees to respond to the attached survey about working conditions. 4. We are offering an in-house training program for employees who want to improve their writing skills.

5. To enable us to continue our policy of selling name brands at discount prices, we can give store credit but we cannot give cash refunds on returned merchandise.

1. Every attorney has ten minutes for his summation. 2. A policeman is responsible for covering his territory. 3. The conference will include special excursions for the wives of executives. 4. Serving on the panel are a lady veterinarian, a female doctor, two businessmen, and a handicapped CPA.