Testing

Workplace Communication Comparison William H. Kershner II Eng/221 April 22, 2013 Janet Chappell Workplace Communication Comparison When performing technical writings there are many different methods. Some methods include e-mail, memos, letters, manuals, and websites. These method have various purposes in the workplace and can be utilized in many different ways. E-mail is one of the most popular methods used in the workplace today. E-mail can save an organization time and money by allowing the writer to communicate instantly. E-mail's are classified as technical writings due to their ability make the reader understand easily and quickly on what the writer is saying. Another method of writing is using memos. Memos can be issued by e-mail or paper. Memos are another method that is classified as technical writings. Memos use short sentences or paragraphs and are clear and to the point. They can be written about changes in services, etc. Letters, another method of writing, can be classified as a form of expository writing. There purpose is greatly decreasing the workplace. Letters are generally longer in length and can be used to compare, give cause and effect, or can be used to persuade the reader. Manuals serve as guidelines or instructions to guide or inform the reader to do a specific task. They are a form of technical writing because the writer explains a topic so that the reader may understand it. Websites are a form of expository writing. Websites can be used by organizations to persuade the reader to use a product. They can also allow readers to compare products. I started my career in my workplace seventeen years ago and since then I have seen a lot of transformation occur in the way my organization communicates. When I first started seventeen years ago the most common form of written communication in my workplace was memo's and letters. As technology developed and online communication became the standard for businesses, e-mail took place of the memo and letter forms. When e-mail was implemented in my workplace not everyone had access to the technology. Some offices either had no access to internet or had no access to e-mail software or programs. This alone made it difficult to collectively bring every office and every employee on the same page. As time progressed and technology became cheaper computers were installed at every facility. This made e-mail the standard and everyday use for fast, inexpensive, and reliable written communication. After e-mail became the standard form of communication expository writing became apparent and soon was used in various different ways. One common way this form of writing was used is in the form of training. Power Point presentations were attached to e-mails for training purposes. This alleviated some of the expense classroom training brought forth. Most of the e-mails are in the form of an expository writing. E-mails that are being sent are either instructing us on how to complete mandatory training on new or updated procedures. Some of the e-mails give daily information to employees on products or conduct that should occur in the work place. Most of the e-mails come from human resources, operation support, and upper management. One of the biggest downfall or issue that occurs with written communication is that some written communications that occur, whether it is an e-mail or e-mail with a power point presentation, is when a written communication is poorly written. Poorly written documents or e-mails can cause confusion among those who are reading it. Poorly written communication can also cause the reader to lose interest in the technical writing that is being read. If this occurs a person in my line of work could be under trained or uninstructed to perform their duties. An organization can benefit from well-written communications by allowing training to take place by electronic mail or by online sites. Good written communication skills will make it easier for employees to understand what is expected of them. By writing clear and precise e-mail, documents, or memo's an organization can save money, time, and resources. Written communications can differ from verbal communications skills. When we use a written form of communication we can be significantly more precise. With written communications we can give more thought , be more precise and deliberate while writing. A skilled verbal communicator can have various challenges while performing technical writings. With verbal communications a communicator can more effectively express meaning to an audience by using signals, gestures, volume, or even body movements or appearance (Ferraro, n.a.) . The verbal communicator will have more control over what the audience will hear than the writer will have over what the reader will read. The challenge that will occur is that the verbal communicator won't have these tools to use when performing technical writings. It will be much harder for the verbal communicator to capture the reader's attention and continue to keep the attention of the reader. Reference Ferraro, V. (n.a.). Differences Between Oral and Written Communication. Retrieved from http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/speech/differences.htm