Abstract

Fundamental to all good writing are the qualities of completeness, objectivity and tact. Students clearly realize how and why these qualities are important with an assignment to write a memo or letter to two or more people with potentially conflicting interests in the information. Because the memo or letter must inform the audiences about a real situation they must act on or respond to, the student sees the need for complete information for all audiences. Because the audiences have potentially conflicting interests in the communication, the student realizes the need to write objectively, descriptively and honestly. And because the various audiences are usually in different positions or organizations, with different investments in the information, the student must decide what tone and approach will be credible and persuasive to the audiences.