Question

Some writers argue that planning messages wastes time because they inevitably change their plans as they go along. How would you respond to this argument? Briefly explain in 3 paragraphs.

Answer 1

While plans always need to be open to change and revision, having a plan to start from allows you to make those changes while keeping your goal or purpose in mind. Additionally, by doing the appropriate research required to properly plan your message you will have the knowledge to make the right changes for your purpose and audience to guarantee the most effective presentation and reception.

Planning a message involves 4 main steps which give you the best possible framework to build an effective message. Those steps are:

• Analyze the situation, which means to look at your audience and how they will receive your message. This analysis gives you the knowledge you need to best present your message in a way to accomplish the desired purpose.
• Gather information, which means to find out what information your audience will need to understand and receive your message.
• Chose medium and channel, which means to identify the best way to present the message based on the situation.

Organize the information, which means to figure out the main idea and the best approach to use to present that idea and then create an outline, so you can make sure you cover all the relevant information