(Due, in class)

(Due, in class)
Critiquing a Message – Economic Stimulus Payment Notice
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/economic_stimulus_payment_notice.pdf
This document was sent to more than 130 million households after the US Congress passed a stimulus package in early 2008. Read the letter and then critique it in your group. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1. What is the purpose of this document?
2. How well does this document inform the audience of its purpose?
3. Is the message clear (is the meaning/information unmistakable and understandable)?
4. Does the document violate any of the guidelines for constructing informative messages (see below)? If so, which ones?
5. What kind of impression is given to readers by the document design choices?
6. Clearly describe/illustrate improvements your group would make to the document (based upon your responses to item 4, above).
You will submit a brief memo responding to the 6 items, above. Be sure to include appropriate identifying information (group name, the names of group members who participated in this exercise, class section, IRS letter, date) on the memo and in the subject line of your submittal email.
Summary of Guidelines for an Informational Message:
? Is the subject line specific enough to clearly indicate its subject and content?
? Does the first paragraph summarize the information? Or, if the information is too complex to fit into one paragraph, does the first paragraph list the basic parts of the message in the order in which the dcoument discusses them?
? Is all the information included in the message (dates, places, times, amounts, contingencies, rules, etc.), answering anticipated questions and clarifying potential confusion?
? Does the message clearly describe any benefits to readers of the information in the memo?
? Does the message end with a positive paragraph – preferably one specific to the readers?
? Does the message use the “you-attitude?” (See below for a review/definition of “you attitude.”)
? Is the tone friendly?
? Is the style easy to read?
? Is the format appropriate?
? Does the message use standard grammar?
The “You-Attitude”
You-attitude is a style of communication that looks at things from the audience’s point of view, emphasizing what the audience wants to know, respecting the audience’s intelligence, and protecting the audience’s ego.

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