Characteristics of Good Communication

Completeness (context)

t answer all questions asked

t give something extra, when desirable

t check for the five W's and any other essentials

Conciseness (style)

t shorten or omit wordy expressions

t include only relevant statements

t avoid unnecessary repetition

Consideration (context/delivery)

t focus on "you" instead of "I" or "we"

: show reader benefit/interest in the reader

: emphasize the positive, pleasant facts

: apply integrity and ethics

Concreteness (style/sources)

: use specific and accurate words, facts and figures

: put action in your verbs

: choose vivid, image-building words

Clarity (organization/ sources)

: choose short, familiar, conversational words

: construct effective sentences and paragraphs

: achieve appropriate readability (through headings and transitions) and listenability

: include examples, illustrations, and other visual aids, when desirable

Courtesy (delivery)

: be sincerely tactful, thoughtful, and appreciative

: omit expressions that irritate, hurt, or belittle

: grant and apologize good-naturedly

Correctness (style)

: use the right level of language

: maintain acceptable writing mechanics

: choose nondiscriminatory expressions

: apply all the other pertinent "C" qualities