1. Elevator pitch = 20 to 30 seconds
An elevator pitch is a brief overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The pitch is so called because it can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (say, thirty seconds).
I use them:
When I meet people
When I visit another school
When asked to introduce myself
When run into a program officer
When run into a university higher up
When introduce myself to a new colleague
Over coffee, lunch …
Have you ever had occasion that would be good for an elevator pitch?
Even if you don’t need or want something from the audience, an elevator pitch can help you figure out what’s at the core of your goals.
Pick an audience (this class, prospective employer you run into at a conference,
Brainstorm. Practice. What message do you want to convey?

2. Deciding where to begin
Establishing your constraints
Audience
Format
Mechanics
Politics
(yes, even for elevator pitch and )
Key word: Efficiency
Style that communicates the most amount of information in the least amount of reading time (audience centered)
Inform AND persuade
Present information in most logical and convincing manner (audience centered)

3. Who is the audience? Who will read it What do they know
Why will they read it
How will they read it
Example of document with a single type of reader?
Example with several types of readers?
A report on a recent landslide for…
A city official who has $$ you want for hazard mitigation?
Your boss on the assessment project? A soil scientist?

4. What is the format? The way type is arranged on a page Type used
Length
Reference style
Different kinds, follow directions

5. Mechanics Rules of grammar and punctuation
Lots of rules
Some things are definitely incorrect
Many inconsistencies
Gray area
Suck it up, study for the quizzes if necessary. (A)
Suck it up; study for the quizzes if necessary. (B)
Suck it up, study for the quizzes, if necessary. (C)
Suck it up; Study for the quizzes, if necessary. (D)
B is correct.

6. “Politics” Strange term… Be honest Be ethical
Satisfy lawyers and bureaucrats

8. Writing Correspondence
Handout: Correspondence exercises
Assignment: Cover letter and resume
Example and grade norming with rubric