Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

A text without a context is a pretext. Know the audience. Sorry, these are old basics but they still apply.

“Do you know who I am?”

That question is a biting indictment of a person who approaches another in ignorance and starts talking in grand fashion about what might be grand ideas, but probably are not. It is also a biting indictment of the person asking the question. “Surely, sir, if you recognized me and my importance you would not be speaking as you are.” Arrogance.

Enough questions. Now for some answers.

Context when attempting to convey information is important. Knowing the audience is important. Start talking without these, and it just won’t work.

Know the audience. Know what the audience knows. Don’t waste their time telling them something they already know. Put the information in context. It is possible to discuss matters already known by the audience if a new facet of the information is also discussed. “We all know that water boils at 212° F, but we have learned how to change that with new techniques and that brings us to a new perspective on our organization. Please, lend an ear.”

Context. Audience. Old concepts for communication, but they still apply.