THE SEVEN C’s of COMMUNICATION

Exercise. 1 (Completeness)

You are the president of an industry association and have received the following inquiry from an out
of town member, “I think I would like to attend my first meeting of the association, even though I
am not acquainted with your city. Will you please tell me where the next meeting is being held?”

How would you reply to this letter keeping in mind Completeness of the message?

Exercise. 2 (Conciseness)

Find single word substitutes for the phrases

1. Along the same lines

2. At this time
3. Consensus of opinion
4. Due to the fact that
5. During the time of the day
6. During the year of
7. Few and far between
8. For a price of
9. For the reason of that
10. From the point of view of
11. Have need of
12. In accordance with your request
13. In due course
14. Allow me to say
15. In reply , I wish to say
16. Please be advised
17. Please find attached

Exercise -3

Rewrite the following by omitting articles, trite expressions, rambling sentences and
repetitions:

1- At this time I am writing to you to enclose the post-paid appointment card for the
purpose of arranging a convenient time when we might get-together for a personal
interview.
2- We hereby wish to let you know that we fully appreciate the confidence you have
reposed in us.
3- Will you ship us sometime, any time during the month of October, or even November
if you are rushed, for November will suit us just as well, in fact a little bit better, 300
of the regular three and a half inch blue arm bands with white sewn letter in the
middle.

CONSIDERATION

 Focus on YOU instead of I & WE

  Show reader benefit & interest
 Emphasize positive& pleasant
 Apply integrity & ethics

Exercise 4 (Consideration)

Write with a ‘you ‘attitude, it shows consideration

1. I want to send my congratulations for ---

2. We will ship soon the goods your May 4 order----
3. We pay eight percent interest on -----
4. May I take this opportunity to express my thanks for the account you recently opened
with our store. We are pleased to furnish a wide variety of products for the home of
the individual customer. We want you to take full advantage of the store services, for
we have the largest store in the city. Also we make deliveries for our customer free of
charge with in a 30 miles radius of our store. We welcome you to Ebony. If we can be
of additional help please let us know.

Avoid negative – unpleasant words to show consideration

5. It is impossible to open an account for you today.
6. We don’t refund if the returned item is soiled and unusable
7. When you travel on company expense, you will not receive approval for first class
fare
8. To avoid further delay and inconvenience, we are sending this report by express mail.

Show reader benefit or interest in the reader;

9. in the letter from an insurance company to policy holders . Because we have not
written to you in sometime , please help us bring our record by filling and returning
the other half of the card

CONCRETENESS

 Use specific facts and figures

 Put action into verbs
 Choose vivid image building words by comparison & figurative language (?)
 Use more adjectives and adverbs

Exercise 5

Rewrite the following in concrete form as the sentences are too general and vague.

This computer reproduces campaign letters fast

Our product has won several prizes.
These brakes stop a car within a short distance.

Put action into the words by using active instead of passive voice.
1. Tests were made by us
2. A full report will be sent to you by the supervisor.
3. The contract had a requirement ….
4. Mr. Singh will give consideration to the report ….