Beginning a Communication Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication, 6th ed.

State your main point.

Tell your readers what to expect.

Encourage openness to your message.

background information.. Provide necessary background information..

Include a summary unless your communication is very short.

Adjust the length of your beginning to your readers’ needs.

Global Guideline: Adapt your beginning to your readers’ cultural background.

Begin to address unethical practices promptly—and strategically. Ethics Guideline: Begin to address unethical practices promptly—and strategically.

Read more about beginning a communication in Chapter 9 of Technical Communication.