What does this document need to achieve or prove? Why do my readers need this document and what do they need to know?

In the workplace, it is essential to communicate ideas quickly and completely. We don’t typically have the time to read clever prose or to explore newly-presented ideas in depth, especially if they don’t apply directly to what we are currently working on.
For this question, find an email or short business document (one you can share), and reduce that document to its basic four elements of the rhetorical:
Subject – What is the document about? What is it not about? What kinds of information will my readers need to make a decision or complete a task?
Purpose – What does this document need to achieve or prove? Why do my readers need this document and what do they need to know?

In the workplace, it is essential to communicate ideas quickly and completely. We don’t typically have the time to read clever prose or to explore newly-presented ideas in depth, especially if they don’t apply directly to what we are currently working on.

For this question, find an email or short business document (one you can share), and reduce that document to its basic four elements of the rhetorical:

Subject – What is the document about? What is it not about? What kinds of information will my readers need to make a decision or complete a task?

Purpose – What does this document need to achieve or prove? Why do my readers need this document and what do they need to know?

Readers – Who are the readers of this document? What are their specific needs and interests? What are they looking for in this document?

Context of use – Where and when will this document be used? What physical, economic, political, and ethical constraints will shape this text?

Then answer the following questions:

How could this email/document have relayed its message more efficiently without losing any essential details?

Do you think this email/document would have been more effective by highlighting only the essential information? Why or why not?

Please attach a copy of the email or document you are working with.