ABSTRACT
Once you have analyzed the context and considered the media, source, and timing options available to you, it is time to pull ideas together and organize your message for maximum impact. This, incidentally, is the step in the Straight Talk Writing Model where many people begin: the sit down and start writing! But we now know better and understand the importance of assessing the foundation of the communication event as described in the model. Getting started on the initial draft of a written message can be daunting for some. Writer’s block is fairly common. That is why you need to focus on the word “draft.” Rarely will what you write first be the final version of your message. Re-writing and editing is not only commonplace, but essential in all but the simplest messages. This chapter shows you some concrete steps for selecting and organizing the meat of your message. These tips are especially applicable to workplace writing-functional business communication.
