std_communication

The ability to communicate clearly in writing is one of the most important skills you will ever master. It will help you to get your ideas across effectively and to get the results youwant in your professional and personal life. There is no mystery to good writing; it is a skill you can learn.

ABC’S OF GOOD LETTER WRITING

A. A is for accuracy - Be as specific as possible, giving all the pertinent information as accurately as you can.

B. B is for brevity - You can take it for granted that the person you’re writing to hasn’t time to wade through a long letter. As a rule, you can organize your letter into three parts.

Tell why you’re writing.

Give the important facts.

Describe what you would like the recipient to do.

C. C is for:

1. CLEARNESS

Make every statement easy to understand, impossible to misunderstand. Avoid involved paragraphs and long paragraphs. Avoid flowery language. Simple, direct expression is the best guarantee of clearness in a business letter.

2. COURTESY

Be sure your message contains no trace of rudeness andno suggestion of critical or superior attitude toward your reader. Try to be helpful in every way possible. Genuine consideration for thereader helps to win his/her confidence and good will.

3. CONCISENESS

Make every word contribute something to the meaning ofyour message. Avoid empty phrases and irrelevant details. Needless words waste time and discourage the reader’s interest.

4. COMPLETENESS

Give the reader all pertinent information that may be helpful to him or her. When you reply to an inquiry containing a number of questions, be sure you answer all of them.

APPRECIATION

Another form of communication that will help to build better relations among fellow officers is by

Sending"thank you" cards or notes every time a fellow officer or sponsor helps in an activity or event.

Make or buy Birthday, Christmas, Easter or Valentine Cards.

Buy some candy and make little packages for each person on the board.

THE ABC’S OF SAYING THANKS

Accent the achievement: Be specific about someone’ contribution and it’s effect on the project.

Basic and Believable: Be sure that you mention honest accomplishment. A student knows when a project has had some rough spots; however, this does not mean that you cannot thank this person for getting beyond these challenges.

Create it cheaply: Most schools exist on shoe-string budgets, and co-co-curricular activities are no different. Therefore, using inexpensive materials is a must.

Do it thoroughly: Keep a list of everyone who helped out in a project in any way on a project.

Enjoy its effectiveness:As people realize their contributions are important, willingness to participate will grow.