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Module 1 — Effective
writing: Strategies
and principles
Course Guide   Module 1   Module 2a   Module 2b

Activity 2: Choosing the best channel

What are the advantages and disadvantages in using each of these two channels of communication for the scenario described?

CHANNEL

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Telephone


  • Provides opportunity for questioning and feedback
  • Fast and cheap


  • Difficult to conduct telephone conversations in a second language
  • No map or written instructions to take on the journey

Written note


  • Provides possibility of including a map
  • Visitor may understand written English better than spoken English
  • Allows visitor to reread as many times as needed
  • Visitor can carry note and map with him on the journey


  • Does not allow questions or feedback
  • Does not give means to establish what receiver already knows
  • Easy for writer to forget some important instruction
  • Easy for writer to assume knowledge visitor does not have
  • More costly in time and effort
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