Transcript Ending a Communication

Ending a Communication
Guidelines for Writing an Ending for
a Communication
Ending a Communication
Readers expect certain kinds of endings, and
it is your task as a writer to satisfy these
expectations.
Also, ending technical communications is
important because
1. an ending is a place of emphasis,
2. an ending creates your readers’ final
impression of your communication, and
3. an ending provides a transition.
1. Stop After Your Last Point
Sometimes you need to end your
communications without doing anything
special at all--as in the case of instructions
and recommendation reports. In these
cases, simply end directly after making
your last point.
2. Repeat Your Main Point
Because the end of a technical communication
is a point of emphasis, you can use it to
focus your readers’ attention on the points
you want to be foremost in their minds as
they finish reading.
3. Summarize Your Key Points
In summarizing, you are aiming to ensure
that your audience has understood the
general thrust of your communication.
One strategy is to summarize the key points
that you have made.
4. Refer to a Earlier Stated Goal
Because many technical documents begin by
stating a goal and then proposing ways to
achieve it, one may end a communication
by referring to that goal, thereby reminding
your readers of the goal and sharpening the
focus of your communication.
5. Focus on a Key Feeling
In this case, focus your readers’ attention on
a feeling rather than a fact--such as telling
your readers that they can trust you and
your services.
6. More Information and
Assistance
A common strategy for ending technical
communications is to tell your readers how
to get assistance or more information.
7. What to Do Next
Another strategy for effective endings is to tell
you readers’ what you think should be done
next--i.e., what are the available courses of
action.
8. Further Study
Another way to end technical communications
is to tell readers what needs to be studies or
researched next.