Clear, Concise,

Courteous
Communication
Clear Communication

The Message, Purpose, and Audience:

 THINK before you communicate:

“Communicating = Thinking”

 What is my purpose? – to inform; to persuade; to entertain

 Who is my audience? – co-workers; manager; professor; neighbour
 What is my channel and form of communication? – speaking; writing
Clear Communication, con’t

Word Choice

 Use PRECISE or SPECIFIC vocabulary.

 Avoid vague or ambiguous language.

Examples:

VAGUE:
Organize all of your things before beginning a task.
SPECIFIC:
Organize all of your tools/equipment before beginning a task.
VAGUE:
Students who do good work will pass the course.
SPECIFIC:
Students who follow instructions and meet assignment expectations will pass the course.
VAGUE:
There was lots of stuff lying around the worksite.
SPECIFIC:
There were discarded coffee cups and food wrappers lying around the worksite.
Concise Communication

Concise = Brief
 Writing or speaking concisely means communicating with detailed information
in as few words as possible.

 To be concise means to eliminate redundant and superfluous words and

expressions.

 The opposite of being concise is being “wordy”.

 Examples:

WORDY:
Would you repeat again one more time the instructions about wordiness?
CONCISE:
Would you repeat the instructions about wordiness?
WORDY:
In my opinion, I believe that my writing is as equally good as Mario’s especially
considering that I use a larger number of words to say exactly the same thing.
CONCISE:
In my opinion, my writing is as good as Mario’s since I use more words to say
the same.
A List of Wordy vs Concise Expressions

Choose concise words or expressions.

WORDY CONCISE
 a large number of many
 actual fact fact
 at the present time now
 continue on continue
 due to the fact that because
 final conclusion conclusion
 in my personal opinion in my opinion
 take active steps take steps
Courteous Communication

Courteous communication is respectful and polite. It is also inclusive.

Avoid “PRETENTIOUS” or “fancy” language.
PRETENTIOUS:
“Our aspirational consumer strategy must position the brand’s appeal to women
shoppers who are seeking emblematic brands that are positively identified with
health-oriented and fitness-centred lifestyles so they can align their personal
images with those lifestyle indicators.”
SIMPLIFIED and INCLUSIVE:
“Our sales strategy must appeal to shoppers who are looking for brands that
promote healthy and fit lifestyles.”
A List of Pretentious vs Simple (clear)
Expressions
Pretentious Simple
 ascertain find out
 commence begin
 utilize use
 finalize finish
 optimal best
 terminate end
Courteous Communication, con’t

Tone of Voice = Feelings Behind Words

 Avoid words that “carry” negative or harsh meanings that affect your
professional tone.

 Do not communicate professionally when angry, sad, or tired.

 Stop! Calm down. Think before speaking or writing your message.