Beginning a Communication

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Beginning aCommunication
Paul V. Andersons Technical Communication, 5th
ed.
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• Give your readers
• a reason to pay attention.

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• State your main point.

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• Tell your readers what to expect.

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• Encourage openness
• to your message.

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• Provide necessary
• background information.

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• Adjust the length of the beginning to your
• readers needs.

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• For longer communications,
• begin with a summary.

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• Adapt your beginning to
• your readers cultural background.

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• Ethics Guideline
• Begin to address unethical practices promptlyand
  strategically.

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Read more about beginning communications in
Chapter 8 of the Technical Communication.