Writing Improvement Exercises

Message Openers and Subject Lines

Your Task. Compare the following sets of message openers. Circle the letter of the opener that illustrates a direct opening. Write an appropriate subject line for each opening paragraph.

16. An e-mail requesting sign-up for a leadership seminar on mediation:

    1. Organization leaders are responsible for creating a work environment that enables people to thrive. If turf wars, disagreements, and differences of opinion escalate into interpersonal conflict, you must intervene immediately. In conflict-ridden situations, your mediation skill and interventions are critical. If you sign up for one of our upcoming HR Workplace Conflict Resolution seminars, you will be able to polish these crucial managerial skills.

    2. Please sign up for one of the upcoming HR Workplace Conflict Resolution seminars for executives to keep your mediation skills sharp. Organization leaders are responsible for creating a work environment that enables people to thrive. If turf wars, disagreements, and differences of opinion escalate into interpersonal conflict, you must intervene immediately. In conflict-ridden situations, your mediation skill and interventions are critical.