PPT

Module 6

You-Attitude

McGraw-Hill/Irwin ©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved.

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You-Attitude

To learn how to

 Begin building goodwill.
 Continue to adapt your message to
the audience.
 Emphasize what the reader wants
to know.
 See another point of view.
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You-Attitude

Start by answering these questions:

 How do I create you-attitude in my
sentences?
 Does you-attitude basically mean
using the word you?
 I’ve revised my sentences. Do I need
to do anything else?
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You-Attitude

Looks at things from the reader’s

point of view.
Respects the reader’s
intelligence.
Protects the reader’s ego.
Emphasizes what the reader
wants to know.
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To Create You-Attitude

Talk about the reader.

Don’t discuss feelings,
except to offer
congratulations.
In positive situations, use
you more than I. Use we
when it includes the
reader.
Avoid you in negative
situations.
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You-Attitude Examples

Lacking: We are shipping your order

of September 21 this afternoon.
Better: The two dozen Corning Ware
starter sets you ordered will be
shipped this afternoon and should
reach you by September 28.
Lacking: We are happy to extend you
a credit line of $5,000.
Better: You can now charge up to
$5,000 on your American Express
Card.
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You-Attitude Examples continued

Lacking: You’ll be happy to hear that

your scholarship has been renewed.
Better: Congratulations! Your
scholarship has been renewed.
Lacking: You failed to sign your
check.
Better: Your check was not signed.
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You-Attitude in Different
Situations
In a positive message, focus on
what the reader can do.
Avoid you when it criticizes the
reader or limits the reader’s
freedom.
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You-Attitude in Different
Situations continued
In a job application letter, show
how you can help meet the
reader’s needs, but keep the word
you to a minimum.
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To Create Goodwill with

Content
Be complete.
Anticipate and answer questions
readers are likely to have.
For information the reader did not
ask for, show why it is important.
Show readers how the message’s
subject affects them.
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For Goodwill with Organization

Put information readers are most

interested in first.
Arrange information to meet your
reader’s needs, not yours.
Use headings and lists so that the
reader can find key points quickly.