PPT
Module 6
You-Attitude
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved.
6-1
You-Attitude
To learn how to
 Begin building goodwill.
 Continue to adapt your message to
the audience.
 Emphasize what the reader wants
to know.
 See another point of view.
6-2
You-Attitude
Start by answering these questions:
 How do I create you-attitude in my
sentences?
 Does you-attitude basically mean
using the word you?
 I’ve revised my sentences. Do I need
to do anything else?
6-3
You-Attitude
Looks at things from the reader’s
point of view.
Respects the reader’s
intelligence.
Protects the reader’s ego.
Emphasizes what the reader
wants to know.
6-4
To Create You-Attitude
Talk about the reader.
Don’t discuss feelings,
except to offer
congratulations.
In positive situations, use
you more than I. Use we
when it includes the
reader.
Avoid you in negative
situations.
6-5
You-Attitude Examples
Lacking: We are shipping your order
of September 21 this afternoon.
Better: The two dozen Corning Ware
starter sets you ordered will be
shipped this afternoon and should
reach you by September 28.
Lacking: We are happy to extend you
a credit line of $5,000.
Better: You can now charge up to
$5,000 on your American Express
Card.
6-6
You-Attitude Examples continued
Lacking: You’ll be happy to hear that
your scholarship has been renewed.
Better: Congratulations! Your
scholarship has been renewed.
Lacking: You failed to sign your
check.
Better: Your check was not signed.
6-7
You-Attitude in Different
Situations
In a positive message, focus on
what the reader can do.
Avoid you when it criticizes the
reader or limits the reader’s
freedom.
6-8
You-Attitude in Different
Situations continued
In a job application letter, show
how you can help meet the
reader’s needs, but keep the word
you to a minimum.
6-9
To Create Goodwill with Content
Be complete.
Anticipate and answer questions
readers are likely to have.
For information the reader did not
ask for, show why it is important.
Show readers how the message’s
subject affects them.
6-10
For Goodwill with Organization
Put information readers are most
interested in first.
Arrange information to meet your
reader’s needs, not yours.
Use headings and lists so that the
reader can find key points quickly.