Modules 8 and 13 for June 8th

My presentation is on Module 8, so I just want to briefly discuss what exactly this chapter talks about.  This Module is all content related and doesn't exactly discuss any format for writing.  It is about putting reader benefits in your writing.  One of the most important points is how reader benfits work because of expectancy theory, which is the idea that most people try to do their best only when they believe they can do something and when they know there are rewards.  If your audience doesn't have a motivation, then what's the point?  So if we need to use reader benefits, how do we find them?  We find them by using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and by identifying features of products or policies that we may be writing about and how these features could benefit the audience.  There also may be different subgroups to satisfy with different features.  Another important point is that reader benefits should be as detailed as possible, and use psychological description, which involves contacting the reader's senses.  So once we know the benefits, we have to decide which one to use.  We also talked about intrinsic verses extrinsic benefits, and also to not to forget to use you-attitude!  Module 13 talks about e-mail messages and web writing.  Basically e-mail formats are still evolving and vary.  A basic e-mail format is Eudora and it uses a informal salutation.  The message is not indented and there is usually a signature block at the end.  Also, an e-mail message with a attachment, states that there is an attachment.  Subject lines in e-mail messages should be specific, concise, and catchy.  For informative and positive e-mail messages the subject line should include the positive info.  In negative messages the subject line should contain the negative only when the negative message is serious.  Subject lines for persuasive messages should make it clear that you are asking something.  Finally, e-mail messages can be written the same way as paper messages except negative and persuasive messages will be more direct in e-mails. A catchy thing to remember is that you should "lurk before you leap"!  Also, note that when sending attachments be cautious of viruses.  Attachments should only be sent when needing to send longer documents.  This module also talks about BLOGGING and social networking tools, which we are all familiar with (Twitter and YouTube)!!