Writing for the Real World Chapter 11 Sensitivity and Tact

Balance Assertiveness With Sensitivity and Tact Be aware of the readers needs, goals, and feelings Take care to avoid offending or insulting readers This will cause them to reject your ideas

Think Priorities, Needs, and Objections Think about the readers priorities –How full is the readers plate? Think about the readers needs –How important is your message to him/her? Think about the readers objection –How will you address or overcome them? Determine your word choices by using language that will convince him to believe you

Match Your Points to Your Reader Effective writing matches the writers ideas to the readers priorities Include only the points, ideas, opinions, and arguments that are relevant to your reader –Select appropriate points to include –Place most emphasis on the points that match your readers major goals

Types of Arguments Consider if the reader will be most affected by logical arguments –Based on hard facts and empirical evidence OR Emotional arguments –based on the readers needs for love, friends, fun, power, and influence

Make Concessions We can safely assume that –Either the reader hasnt made up their minds or formed an opinion about a certain topic –Or they support the opposing viewpoint – which is why we need to persuade them to change their minds

Make Concessions Offer the reader concessions (or acknowledgements) of their pre- existing opinions Anticipate the readers arguments as you write and acknowledge that they exist Match your concessions to your readers most likely objections

Disadvantages Your concession may remind the reader of the opposing arguments You may mention arguments that your readers havent even considered, thus adding even more support to the other side However, the advantages of concessions far outweigh the disadvantages

Advantages Concessions will demonstrate your understanding of the whole issue Concessions will create goodwill because they acknowledge the readers viewpoints Readers will be more likely to consider your views because you seem sensitive to their opinions Concessions allow a writer to respond to and refute specific objections

Concession Guidelines Keep them brief –Dont elaborate – move right on to refute or with your own evidence and explanations Match each concession with the appropriate point –Think of each argument a reader could use for each point

Concession Guidelines Dont end with concessions –Present them in the beginnings of paragraphs, then prove them invalid –Match the concessions you need to make to each of your points; then thoroughly refute each with a fully developed paragraph –If you end with a concession, the reader will walk away thinking of the opposing view rather than your own

Concession Guidelines Signal the beginning and end of a concession Use transition words –Admittedly.Its true that… –Granted,Yes, but… –Of course,I agree that… –I concede I understand that.. Then follow with –But, however, on the contrary, and other words of refute

Concession Guidelines To fully understand the opposing viewpoint, consider debating your topic with someone who disagrees with your thesis. Your opponents arguments will help you know what concessions to include in your composition

Avoid Offending or Insulting Your Reader Take care to avoid insensitive language –An insulted reader will dismiss your ideas outright –The composition will not fulfill its purpose Three types of insensitive language 1.Name calling 2.Statements that create a condescending or dismissive tone 3.Emotionally-loaded terms

Name Calling Using derogatory labels to describe people or groups –This only brands the writer as immature, petty, and hostile –It can destroy the whole argument You cannot build up yourself or your ideas by tearing someone else down –This damages your credibility Focus on flaws in ideas, not people

Condescending or Dismissive Tone Implying that the reader or his/her idea is –ignorant –uninformed –Illogical –Wrong Such statements produce an arrogant, condescending tone of talking down to readers Avoid any suggestion that the reader is unenlightened

Emotionally Loaded Words The connotative meaning of word help us communicate our thoughts and feelings about a topic accurately and confidently They also help us urge the reader to feel a certain way about that topic

Emotionally Loaded Words Assertive words must be tempered by consideration of the readers feelings Using language that is bold but offensive will cause the reader to reject your idea Be sure to use words that are more sensitive to the reader –Or you could stir up some unwanted emotions

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