Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Create a written strategic communications plan for the professional communication challenge or opportunity of your choice. Your plan should include the following components and may be written in a professional report format. See the formatting requirements for additional information. 

1. Description 
a) What is your challenge or opportunity? 
b) Why is this professionally important to you? 

2. Goal 
a) What goal or outcome do you want to achieve with this communication?
i. Is it clear, concise, and actionable?

3. Audience
a) Who is your target audience? 
i. What are the professional positions of the audience members?
ii. What demographic characteristics will the audience comprise?
iii. What is your relationship to the audience?
iv. What background knowledge and expertise does the audience have? 
v. What does the audience know, feel about, and expect concerning this communication? vi. What preconceptions or biases do you possess that might prevent you from building rapport with your audience? 
b) What information is available about your audience?
i. What research/sources will you use to obtain information about the audience?
ii. What conclusions have you been able to draw about the audience?
c) What tone will you use to convey your message?
i. Is the setting casual or formal? 
ii. Is the communication personal or impersonal? 

4. Key Message
a) What is the primary message you must convey to your audience?
i. Is the message compelling and memorable?
ii. Is the message clear and concise?
iii. Is the message aligned with your audience’s goals and needs? 



5. Supporting Points 
a) What three to four points, reasons, or justifications support your message? 
i. What research/sources will you use to obtain facts/data about your message? 

6. Channel Selection 
a) What communication style will you employ (Tell/Sell or Consult/Join), and why? 
b) What channel(s) will you use to deliver your message, and why will they be the most effective? 
c) What purpose is served by each channel you have selected?

7. Action Request 
a) Is your call to action you are making to your audience clear, concise, and easily actionable?

Note: You may create and establish all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. The scenario is yours to explain.

Grading:
Description:  Fully describes challenge or opportunity and provides information on why this topic is professionally important/relevant. 
Goal:  The communication goal is exceptionally well-defined. It is clear, concise, and actionable. 
Audience:  Audience analysis is thorough. The author thoughtfully considers the characteristics, motivations, and expertise of the audience, drawing highly relevant conclusions. Identifies both elements of the tone to be used to convey message.
Key message:  The key message is completely clear, concise, and logical. It is exceptionally compelling and memorable. It is well-aligned with the goals/needs of the audience.
Supporting Points:  The communication provides three or four points, reasons, or justifications that clearly support the key message in a compelling manner, and lists entirely relevant sources to be used to support the message. 
Channel Selection:  The communication style and communication channel(s) are thoughtfully chosen. Rationale for the style and channel selection(s) explains the chosen method of delivery in a compelling and thorough manner.
Action Request:  The request made of the audience is thoroughly clear and easily actionable.
Writing:  Writing is excellent. Tone is professional and sophisticated. Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting. Contains no spelling, mechanical, or grammatical errors, and formatting and citations meet standards.