Luke C's Determining what the Reader Needs to Know

My full topic for this week is "Writing completely: Tips on how to Determine What the Reader Needs/Wants to Know." Although the subject is geared toward writing, the same content applies for giving presentations and speeches. Giving effective presentations is integral to being successful in almost any field.

There are two related things you first need consider before beginning to compose a piece of communication, no matter what the form it takes. The first thing to consider is what do you want the overarching and lasting message of the communication to be. Keeping this in mind throughout the writing process is very important, especially when you are making final revisions. Keeping to the point and leaving out distracting details will determine if the audience retains the message you are trying to get across.

The second part of what needs to be considered before you begin writing is identifying who your audience is and how they will react to the content. This will determine the tone and type of language that should be used in the communication. For instance you need to use a different type of tone when delivering negative feedback to a single employee than when you are delivering a motivational presentation to an entire team.

Sticking to a central theme and always keeping the audience in mind will ensure written communication is actually read retained as well as help keeping an audience engaged during a speech or presentation!

I am including a video of a speech given by Jim Valvano after he accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the 1993 ESPY awards. Jim died of cancer only eight weeks after delivering this speech. His purpose in the speech is to encourage people to enjoy and treasure every minute of their lives. I know it is long but you will not regret watching it!