This document discusses the importance of structuring messages effectively. It explains that thinking involves considering assumptions and conclusions, while structuring is about organizing ideas in a logical order. The key points are: 1. Thinking involves being aware of assumptions, drawing valid conclusions through deduction or induction, and avoiding logical defects. 2. Structuring means providing a hierarchy of main and supporting ideas and choosing an appropriate order, such as by time, importance or using a direct or indirect approach. 3. An effective structure stresses the conclusion first, divides into main points, and subdivides into supporting points to follow the audience memory curve.

1. The Message: Structure
Presented By:
Raja Muhammad Noman

2. “A message prepared in the mind reaches a
mind; a message prepared in a life reaches a
life.”
Bill Gothard

3. Outline
• Thinking versus Structuring
• Thinking Process
• Be aware of your assumption
• Draw valid conclusion
 Induction
 Deduction
• Provide logical defects
 Don’t jump too fast to conclusion
 Don’t hide your ideas
 Don’t oversimplify
• Structuring Process
• Provide a hierarchy for your ideas
• Put your ideas in order

4. Thinking vs Structuring

5. Thinking Structuring

6. Thinking Process
• The process of considering or reasoning about
something.
• Your assumptions, which form the basis for your
thinking, are like assumptions about what will be
produced.
• Thinking Process has three steps:
1. Beware of your assumptions
2. Draw valid conclusions
3. Avoid logical defects

7. 1. Beware of your assumptions
• Assumptions are the basis for all the your thinking
• In business communication you make assumptions
Example:
“This program will increase our profits”.
Assumption: You want to make a profit.
“I better finish this report tonight or I'll get fired”.
Assumption: You want to keep your job.

8. 2. Draw valid conclusions
• Assumption and facts are what you start out with when you
are thinking; conclusions are what you end up with.
• It has two valid methods:
 Deduction
 Induction
Continued…

9. Deduction
• Deduction means to start with a general statement or
assumption and proceed towards a guaranteed
specific conclusion.
• For example “It's sunny in Singapore. If it's sunny in
Singapore, he won't be carrying an umbrella. So, he
won't be carrying an umbrella.”

10. Induction
• Induction begins with observations that are specific
and limited in scope, and proceeds to a generalized
conclusion that is likely, but not certain, in light of
accumulated evidence.
• You could say that inductive argument moves from
specific to general.
• For example “Every time I've walked by that dog, he
hasn't tried to bite me. So, the next time I walk by that
dog he won't try to bite me..”

11. 3.Avoid logical defects
You can avoid defects by remembering the three main
rules:
• Do not jump at conclusions too fast
• Do not hide your ideas :
o by focusing on less important issues
o behind exaggeration
o behind irrelevant events
• Do not over simplify

12. Structuring
Structuring is defined as to construct or arrange
according to a plan; give a pattern or organize
something.
Structuring a message:
• Providing a hierarchy of ideas
• Choosing the appropriate order for those ideas

13. Hierarchy of Ideas
• Stress your Conclusion or top level idea (audience memory
curve).
• Divide your writing or speaking into main points or
Second level ideas
• Subdivide these into supporting points

14. Idea Chart

15. Audience Memory Curve

16. Put Your Ideas In Order
• Explanatory Ideas
 You can order by time.
 You can order by components.
 You might order by importance.

17. • Action Ideas
 Direct Approach
o State your top level idea first
o Use your strongest evidence
 Indirect Approach
o Start with least controversial point
o Present rejected alternatives
o Use strongest evidence at last

18. Conclusion

19. Thank You