COMM49: Week 2
Reader-focused Language
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Written communication classified as reader-centred or writer-centred
Reader-centred messages focus on the reader and their needs and use the
pronoun ‘you’
o Tend to be more effective because they tell the reader how the message
will affect them
Writer-centred messages focus on the writer and typically use the pronouns ‘I’ or
‘we’
o More effective when communicating negative messages, as a readerfocused statement can elicit a defensive response
Positive Language
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Consider the tone of our writing
o Setting the tone involves understanding your purpose, context, and
audience
 It means recognizing that cooperation and teamwork are essential
 Important to consider how you want your reader to feel and what
might make them feel that way
Learn about using positive language when talking to children as ECEs
o We focus our words on what we want them to do instead of what we don’t
want them to do
Use this same strategy when writing professional communications
o Write constructively, meaning using positive language to convey your
message
o The tone of your message influences the response you are likely to get
o Considering how your reader might feel after reading your document is an
important part of the revision process
Focus on what the reader can or should be doing
Colons
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A grammar tool we can use to convey clear messages
Alerts the reader that explanatory information is coming
The statement that comes before the colon must be an independent clause
o It must be a complete sentence and be able to stand alone
Used in the following ways:
o To introduce a list
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o To introduce single items
o Between two complete sentences when the second sentence is a logical
consequence of the first
Some exceptions:
o Introducing dialogue in a script or extended quotations
o In time, ratios, or bible citations
o Between a title and a subtitle
o After the salutation (greeting) in a formal letter
o To alert the reader
Graphic Highlighting
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Visual effects used in writing to draw the reader’s attention to the important
information in your message
Lists, bullets, numbers, letters, bold, underline, and whitespace are all examples
When using lists in your writing, the list must be introduced with a complete
sentence and a colon
Parallelism
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Also called parallel structure or parallel construction
The repetition of the same grammatical form in two or more parts of a sentence
Maintaining parallel structure helps you avoid grammatically incorrect sentences
and improve your writing style
Sentences with parallel structure are easier to read and add a sense of balance
to your writing