Module 2a — Office
Correspondence
and Records
| Course Guide | Module 1 | Module 2a | Module 2b |
Assignment preparation task 3: Message writing checklist
For each of the correspondence documents that you submit for your assignment, you will include a checklist similar to this one. The checklist is essentially a way of ensuring that you have considered the principles of effective writing for messages and correspondence.
Part of your assignment for each piece of writing includes some analysis of the message you have chosen. By knowing the answers to the questions in this checklist, you should be able to complete your analysis as well. For example, along with your memo and letter, you are asked to state the purpose of your document and describe what you hope your reader will do as a result of reading it. The checklist will prompt you to consider these points.
What type of message have you written? |
Memo, letter, email, or meeting record |
Have you determined why this form is the best choice for your message? |
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Have you analysed your readers and worked out their needs? |
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Have you followed an appropriate organizational pattern for your message? |
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Does the subject line (if included) give a clear indication of your purpose? |
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Does the opening paragraph make the document's purpose clear? |
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Is it clear what the reader has to DO? |
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Are all paragraphs unified and well constructed? |
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Do paragraphs flow easily from one to the next? |
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Is the level of formality/informality appropriate for the reader and context? |
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Has all unnecessary information been eliminated? |
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Have you been as brief as possible without leaving out any important information? |
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Have you created any problems for your readers by your word usage (jargon, abbreviations, unfamiliar words)? |
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Have you followed formatting requirements for this type of correspondence? |
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