CMAP the Foundation of Assignments in TPC 12 The first step in planning a communication is to analyze the audience and purpose via a CMAP statement…

Context This refers to the history of the communication and the relationship between the sender and receiver: –Is this the first communication or is it a response to a previous communication? –How well does the sender know the receiver? –Is the receiver likely to respond favourably to the message?

Message This refers to all of the details that will be included in the communication: –What information does the receiver need in order to act? –What do you want the receiver to do? –When do you want the receiver to do it?

Audience This refers to who will receive the message: –Who is the primary person(s) who will receive your message? –Is anyone else (intended/unintended) going to receive your message?

This refers to what the sender wants the receiver to do when the message is received. This is the most difficult for students to understand, because they often confuse it with the message. Purpose

An Example of a Blank CMAP Statement: I am _________________________ to medium (writing, meeting with, phoning, etc.) of communication ___________ to tell _____________ that audience audience _________________________________ in order to ________________________ purpose given that _________________________. context

Let’s Try It…. Create a CMAP statement for the following communication… You have just completed your first semester at college. Unfortunately, last night when you did your budget you realized that you will not be able to afford to live during second semester. According to your figures you need another $2,000 to survive until summer break when you can work full-time. You decide to ask your grandmother to lend you the money. You are her only grandchild.

Possible Response…. I am meeting with my grandmother to tell her that I love her very much, I’m getting good marks in college, and that I need a loan to be able to finish the year, in order to get the $2000 given that Granny loves me, she has the money, and I’ve never borrowed from her before. (Notice: I added some details that weren’t given in the scenario, but they would be true if this was my situation in real-life.) Once you have the CMAP written composing the communication is easy—all the details, objectives and challenges are clear.

So What Happens If You Change the Context…. How does your CMAP statement, and therefore your communication, change if instead of being the only grandchild you are one of 15, five of whom have borrowed money and never paid anything back? (Answer this question in the bulletin board in the CMAP forum.)

How does your CMAP statement, and therefore your communication, change if instead of asking your grandmother you ask you local bank manager for the $2000 loan? (Answer this question in the bulletin board in the CMAP forum.) So What Happens If You Change the Audience….