C204 Tips Document

C204 Task 2 Tips Document

Sections B. – F.:  Developing your Communication Portfolio

The theme throughout this task is balancing the Art and the Science of delivering a message.  That is, you will focus on both what needs to be said as well as how it should be messaged based on the audience, desired outcome, and chosen communication modality.  Your e-text, Business Communication:  Process & Product is your go to resource to complete this task.  It is important that you demonstrate a thought process and strategy specific to your communication.  In particular, you will want to spend time planning, organizing, and drafting your messages (chapters 4 – 6).  Chapter 7 is especially valuable when gauging how much to include in the message.  Like with any message, you will want to think about how to craft the message in a positive and persuasive manner.  Chapters 8, 9, and 10 discuss different strategies for how to position the message based on the desired outcome.  Finally, we highly encourage you to ask a colleague or the Center for Writing Excellence to review your e-mails, blog, and letters prior to submitting them in Taskstream.    

 Sections G. & H.:  Evaluating the Effectiveness of your Communication Strategies

 These final two sections within Task 2 provide you the opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of the chosen communication strategies and modalities.

For section G., you will want to revisit chapters 8, 9, & 10 in your e-text.  These chapters provide strategies for delivering a positive, negative, and persuasive message.  When completing this section, think about the following; 1) was the message written in a way that supports the desired outcome, 2) does the message reflect the audience, 3) did you choose a direct or indirect strategy and why, and 4) what might prevent the message from being well received.  When you complete this section, it will be important that you are explicit specific to which sections in the task you are referring to and which communication strategies you are evaluating.  This is a critical thinking exercise intended to generate a reflective assessment of what works, what might not work, and what variables need to be considered when communicating with others.  To demonstrate competence, you will want to support your points of view with evidence from the e-text.