Professional Communication: The Corporate Insider’s Approach Chapter Four Arrangement: Ordering...
-
Upload
job-stewart -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Professional Communication: The Corporate Insider’s Approach Chapter Four Arrangement: Ordering...
Professional Communication: The Corporate Insider’s
Approach
Professional Communication: The Corporate Insider’s
Approach
Chapter FourArrangement: Ordering and
Visualizing Business Information
4-2
Choices in PresentationChoices in Presentation
The way in which we cause facts to have value is in the choices we make about their presentation.
4-3
Choices in PresentationChoices in Presentation
Presentation involves:
• How we group facts
• How we present facts
• How clearly, efficiently, and accurately we portray facts
4-4
Organizing RationalesOrganizing Rationales
• Definition• Type/
Classification• Status• Summary• Description• Chronology
• Process Analysis
• Comparison/ Contrast
• Causality• Interpretation• Assessment• Consequences
4-5
Graphics Are Useful . . .Graphics Are Useful . . .
• To describe a complex or new idea• To present abstract structures• To convey spatial relationships• To provide a meaningful context for
unfamiliar information• To assist in attempts to solve
problems• To detail steps in a procedure• To reinforce information provided in
text
4-6
Bertin on GraphicsBertin on Graphics
Graphical depiction of information serves to help the audience with:
• Recording information
• Communicating information
• Processing information
(Source: Jacques Bertin, Semiology of Graphics)
4-7
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Efficiency
• Using the appropriate graphical format
• Emphasizing critical information
• Minimizing extreme decoration and distractions
4-8
Text, Table, or Graphic?Text, Table, or Graphic?
Consider three factors:
• The amount of information
• The need to read versus the need to visualize pieces of data
• The relationship among the data
4-9
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Legibility
• Using space effectively• Providing clear and accurate
labeling of all information necessary to comprehend the graph
• Making the data and data points clear
4-10
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Key Attributes of Effective Graphics
Accuracy
• Avoiding using images that are suggestive of impressions different from that supported by the actual data
• Ensuring the context of the data is clear and appropriate
• Establishing scales on the axes that are complementary to the information being presented
4-11
OutliningOutlining
An outline helps ensure that each piece of text or graphic information will be targeted to:
• Contribute to achieving the purpose• Be an efficient expression of how
that purpose can be achieved• Be a clear statement of ideas,
assumption, supporting data, and conclusions
• Be an accurate and precise statement
4-12
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Plan •Group related materials•Develop an outline•Establish a progression of thoughts•Apply appropriate organizing rationales
4-13
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Develop
•Use outline structure to guide and build•Consider where graphics will help•Consider how main assertions can form headings, subtitles, and thesis sentences
4-14
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Achieving Organization—The Lessons
Evaluate
•Use audience perspective to check arrangement•Assess balance among segments•Reconsider where to use narrative versus graphics