Chapters 4,5, 16, and 23 response

Chapter 4 focuses on planning for your writing. Guideline 1 focuses on identifying the questions readers may ask while reading a communication. A writer not only needs to predict the questions readers may ask but also needs to include information that your readers may need to know, even if they do not realize this. Guidelines 2 and 3 focus on the organization of the communiqué. Proper organization makes the communication easy to read and helps the reader find the data they need. Guideline 5 touches on using superstructures. This technique appeals to me. It helps the writer identify the needs of the readers. Another helpful technique for writers is also using an outline before writing a communication.

Chapter 5 also focuses on planning. The focal point of Chapter 5 is planning how to persuade your audience. Like Chapter 4, chapter 5 lists ten guidelines giving strategies to write with persuasion. Guideline 2 makes an important point: knowing the readers’ goals and values. A writer who does not know this will probably not be able to influence the readers. To me, this guideline is the key to effective writing. Another important guideline is the fourth one: reason soundly. If a writer is not able make the proposal sensible, then the reader probably will not be persuaded to agree with the writer. A writer does not only need to sound reasonable but should be able to back up what they are writing with evidence.

I have only experienced one group project, and that was for a class my first semester back in college. Reading Chapter 16 before working with a group would have been beneficial. The group I worked with basically divided the work and worked independently. I believe the project would have been easier if we had designated a leader. We knew when the presentation would be, but we did not make a project schedule. Because of this, we ended up scrambling to finish our project just days before the presentation. This chapter gives valuable guidelines for those working on a team project.

How I wish everyone who has ever written an instruction manual or instructions had read this chapter. This chapter provides clear, detailed instructions on how to write an effective instructional manual that people will want to use.