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Elevator pitch = 20 to 30 seconds An elevator pitch is a brief overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The pitch is so called because it can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (say, thirty seconds). I use them: When I meet people When I visit another school
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Elevator pitch = 20 to 30 seconds An elevator pitch is a brief overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The pitch is so called because it can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (say, thirty seconds). I use them: When I meet people When I visit another school When asked to introduce myself When run into a program officer When run into a university higher up When introduce myself to a new colleague Over coffee, lunch … Have you ever had occasion that would be good for an elevator pitch? Even if you don’t need or want something from the audience, an elevator pitch can help you figure out what’s at the core of your goals. Pick an audience (this class, prospective employer you run into at a conference, Brainstorm. Practice. What message do you want to convey?
Deciding where to begin • Establishing your constraints • Audience • Format • Mechanics • Politics (yes, even for elevator pitch and email) • Key word: Efficiency • Style that communicates the most amount of information in the least amount of reading time (audience centered) • Inform AND persuade • Present information in most logical and convincing manner (audience centered)
Who is the audience? • Who will read it • What do they know • Why will they read it • How will they read it Example of document with a single type of reader? Example with several types of readers? A report on a recent landslide for… A city official who has $$ you want for hazard mitigation? Your boss on the assessment project? A soil scientist?
What is the format? • The way type is arranged on a page • Type used • Length • Reference style Different kinds, follow directions
Mechanics • Rules of grammar and punctuation • Lots of rules • Some things are definitely incorrect • Many inconsistencies • Gray area • Suck it up, study for the quizzes if necessary. (A) • Suck it up; study for the quizzes if necessary. (B) • Suck it up, study for the quizzes, if necessary. (C) • Suck it up; Study for the quizzes, if necessary. (D) • B is correct.
“Politics” • Strange term… • Be honest • Be ethical • Satisfy lawyers and bureaucrats
Writing Correspondence • Handout: Correspondence exercises • Assignment: Cover letter and resume • Example and grade norming with rubric