The goal of this exercise is to help you learn some ways you can apply Chapter 9's guidelines for beginning a workplace communication.

Analyze this beginning of the communication, in this case, the beginning of a recipe compilation, "Something on the Light Side," in terms of the guidelines discussed in Chapter 9:

Guideline 1: Give your readers a reason to pay attention.
Guideline 2: State your main point.
Guideline 3: Tell your readers what to expect.
Guideline 4: Encourage openness to your message.
Guideline 5: Provide necessary background information.
Guideline 6: Adjust the length of your beginning to your readers' needs.
Guideline 7: For longer communications, begin with a summary.
Guideline 8: Adapt your beginning to your readers' cultural background.
Guideline 9: Ethics Guideline: Begin to address unethical practices promptly-and strategically.

Your Assignment

First, indicate which of Chapter 9's guidelines are used in this beginning. Where is each used?

Second, revise the beginning by adding content consistent with each of the other guidelines IF the addition would improve the ending. Do not add content that would diminish the beginning's effectiveness.

Third, identify the guidelines that, if followed, would reduce the effectiveness of this particular beginning. Explain why it would be counterproductive to apply them to this beginning.

You may wish to use the table below.

The Beginning of the Recipe Compilation

"Something on the Light Side" was compiled to give college students on a tight budget the opportunity to have excellent low-fat recipes from many sources all in one book. This cookbook offers an alternative to purchasing an expensive cookbook with recipes only a gourmet chef, or a person with hours and hours of spare time, can enjoy. In addition, all of the recipes included in "Something on the Light Side" are low in fat!

"Something on the Light Side" was compiled to meet the needs of Texas Tech Students by including easy to prepare, healthy and low-fat recipes. All of the recipes have been tested prior to publication of this cookbook to insure quality and taste of the recipes. We believe these recipes will accommodate the tastes and cooking skills of most busy college students.

When known, the nutritional value follows the recipe; however, you can be assured every recipe is low in fat (30% or less of the total calories from fat).

"Something on the Light Side" was compiled by the Health Education Department and Registered Dietitians at Student Health Services.

Table for Extra Exercise Online 9.3