Adapting a Message To Different Audiences

You have borrowed your boss's car to meet an important client for a working lunch. You are running late for the meeting, so you take an alternative route. You are going a little over the speed limit, and it is drizzling. As you try to stop at an intersection, you realize that the brakes of the car are not functioning. You slide about 8 feet into the intersection. Before you can do anything, you are hit on the passenger's side. It looks like you may miss lunch altogether.

Task: Consider the previous details and consider how you would relay the information to three of the following audiences you choose. Although you may emphasize or de-emphasize certain information or change the order of things, you should not substantially change the basic facts. Analyze the audience and indicate the purpose and the channel or medium you may want to select, depending on the audience. Then write about what you would emphasize or de-emphasize and how you would organize the information in the message.

Your boss

Your co-worker who has been in three accidents during the past year

A co-worker who thinks you are a trouble maker

A police officer who asks you to recount the events

An insurance agent who will be adjusting your rates

A lawyer representing you in court and needs to know all the facts

A significant other who is behind you and supports you no matter what