Format as Rhetoric: Evaluating Communication Options
Make a Persuasive Format Choice Based On:
● Your personal strengths and weaknesses: how are you most comfortable and confident delivering this news: in writing, on the phone, in conference. . . ?
● Degrees of Power: yours vs. audiences; degree necessary to persuade; format that gives you the most leverage.
● Formality.
● Possibility of conflict.
● Publicity: will presenting or exposing the argument help or hinder your cause.
● Respect for audience.
Realize There Are Multiple Choices:
Ignore and Wait: don't say or write anything.
Telephone call: cell or land-line
Fax
Public/Semi Public/Corporate Discussion Board
Email CC to Multiple Parties, Entire Department,
Email CC to Third Authoritative Party (Advisors, Parents, Bosses...)
Memo
Letter
Face to Face Conference
Face to Face Conference in public area, or with door open and people nearby
Face to Face Conference with Others Casually Present
Face to Face Conference Objective Mediator Present
Third Party Mediator or Lawyer To Convey Message