English Education

Factors affecting written communication

A number of factors have to be kept in mind to communicate effectively through writing.  The message we want to convey has less chances of being misunderstood if we have some background information about the intended reader, and his previous knowledge of whatever is related to our message.  Some of the factors which play an important part in our selection of what to convey, how to convey and how much to convey are as follows:

Ø       The relationship between the writer and the reader whether it is at a formal or intimate level.

Ø      The purpose of the activity - whether the message is conveyed for giving information, seeking permission, soliciting advice and so on.

Ø      The previous knowledge of the reader – whether the message is new to him, partly known or known from a different angle.

Ø      The type of message - whether it is simple, complex, involves technical expressions or not.

Ø      Intended response - whether the writer wants to please the reader, persuade him, threaten him or enrage him.

The writer should keep all these factors in mind if he wants the reader to understand his message properly and react in the way he wants him to.

Having analysed the nature of writing, the problems involved in communicating through writing, and the factors that affect written communication, we need to undertake a study of how to teach writing.  It could be useful to think of the place allotted to writing in Language instruction and go on to trace the development of instruction in writing from the ancient times to the present.