Drafting a Virtual Message - Communication is an integral part of human nature. Exchange of ideas, thoughts
and information from one person to another is communication. As the most intelligent
animal on the planet, humans have derived different communication processes to express
themselves and understand each other..Before the advent of oral communication, non-
verbal methods were used such as gestures, facial expressions and movements.
On broader terms, communication can be in various forms such as:
• Oral
• Written
• Virtual
A message is an informal means of communication. The receiver of the message
has to go through the given message and pick out the most vital bits of information.
Then, he/she should be able to reproduce that information in order to convey it to
the person for whom it is intended.
In general there are four types of messages:
1. Positive Messages (Convey good feelings through thanks, appreciation,
expression of interest, sympathy, extended help, solace.)
2. Negative Messages (Convey disappointment, disapproval, dissatisfaction,
messages of disapproval, disagreement, denial, refusal, cancellation, etc.)
3. Neutral Messages (No feelings, no emotions, no sentiments, dry messages,
messages showing neither joy nor sorrow, messages that do not draw any
conclusion)
4. Persuasive Messages (act that communicates persuasively, agreement on the
writer’s point of view, use of convincing language or words)
What is Virtual Communication?
We define virtual communication as a mode of communication that includes the
use of technology-audio and video to communicate with people who are not physically
present in front of us. People can be in the next room, other floor, in neighbourhood or
even miles away. Although virtual communication started way back with the invention
of telephone, the advent of webcams, video conferencing and instant communication
made virtual communication a big hit. Today we use virtual communication in almost
every walk of life-within family, friends, and office, to name a few.
Today we will learn more about virtual communication and explore why it has
become one of the most popular ways of communication. In addition, we give a sneak
preview of some of the best virtual communication tools used across the world.
Six major types of messages:
1. Directional Messages – What You Should Do
2. Messages of Possibility
3. Messages of Reality
4. Messages of Necessity
5. New Idea Messages
6. Reframing Messages
1. Directional Messages – What You Should Do:
Sometimes, messages are directional. They give us a point of view on the best
way to achieve a certain goal (for example, being happier, making more money,
better relationships etc.)
2. Messages of Possibility:
Another kind of message is the kind of message that says, ‘something else is
possible’.
“No matter how stuck or hopeless or helpless we feel, there is always a pathway
to reclaim our power with mindfulness, love and simplicity. Always”, which we
might distill down to, ‘No matter how stuck you feel – there’s always a way.’ A
powerful message.
3. Messages of Reality:
Sometimes, the message is about how things really are. They are clarifying
messages – mini-maps that help direct people from confusion to clarity. Sometimes
we suffer because we don’t really see the world for how it is, and someone who
can tell it like it is and reset our expectations about the possibilities and limitations
of certain approaches will always engender trust.
4. Messages of Necessity: “We need to . .”
Another kind of message is more of a call to arms for people. It’s not just a message
of what’s possible, or what’s real but what’s required of us to get what we want.
5. New Idea Messages:
Some messages are based on ideas that people may never have considered before.
Messages with novel ideas, opinions, suggestions, views, etc. are sent with much
excitement or enthusiasm.
6. Reframing Messages:
Some messages are about taking aspects of our life that we might have framed as
weaknesses or ‘bad’ and framing them as strengths and assets. Or something we
thought was bad is actually good, or something we always thought was good is
bad, something we thought was ugly is actually beautiful.
Conclusion:
With so many options of virtual communication tools available within a click, it
definitely makes our lives easier. Nowadays, the ability of communicating virtually and
instantly or sharing our information in seconds is very crucial. Virtual communication
is creating a communication environment which is cost-effective, time-saving and
accessible 24/7.
Communication has evolved in the last few decades and very soon,
virtual communication will be the base of communication in future. We will see a range
of new products and technologies which will assist in making our virtual communication
more easy and quick.
Invention of telephone created the path of communication, and
today virtual communication has taken over everything. With many advantages and
features, people across the world have access to multiple virtual communication tools,
which is making their life easy and comfortable.
Message Writing:
With mobile virtually in every hand, be it a student of secondary or higher secondary
standard or a housewife, writing message seems a remote possibility. But this was a
situation a few years ago. The excessive use of mobile and basic phones has brought
forth the inconvenience caused by these otherwise quite useful devices, that, their use
has been banned at many places like schools, offices, hospitals and many other places,
where they are considered more of a disturbing instrument than a convenience to the
user. Although members of a family, classmates, colleagues, bosses, employees have to
write scores of messages for others. Thus, learning to write a short and clear message is
a very important writing skill to be mastered.
Most often the input for a message comes in the form of a telephonic conversation
between two people. The virtual conversation conveyed in the conversation is to be
converted into a message for a third person. Whereas, sometimes, standard instructions
contain the necessary information for the message. Such messages are written on small
pieces of papers called memo-slips.
Basically such messages contain the following: Format :
• Date
• Time
• Name of a person to whom the message is directed
• Body of the message
• Name of the writer / sender
Drafting a Virtual Message Points to remember :
While writing the body of the message, the following points have to be kept in
mind.
• Only the most important details should be written.
• No new information should be added.
• Grammatically correct sentences should be used.
• Indirect or reported speech should be used.
• The message should be written in simple language and without any abbreviations.
• Check your message before you submit and send it.
• Be friendly and polite.
• Avoid pun/ambiguity/witticism, in short words that would create confusion or a
chaotic situation
Drafting a Virtual Message Example:
You receive a telephone call from your mother’s office when she is not at home. You
have the following conversation with the speaker. But you have to go for your tuition
class. So you leave a message for your mother. Write the message within 50 words
using the information given below. Do not add any new information.
Ambuj : Hello!
Mr Rastogi: Hello! May I speak to Ms Dixit, please? I am Naresh Rastogi from the
office.
Ambuj : Mom’s not at home right now.
Mr Rastogi: In that case can you give her a message? It is urgent. Please tell her that
the meeting fixed for tomorrow has been rescheduled. Ask her to check
her mail as soon as possible for the details. Please don’t forget to inform
her.
Ambuj : Don’t worry. I will tell her as soon as she returns. 14 Feb 3:30 pm
Message
Mom
Mr Rastogi from the office called up to say that the meeting fixed for tomorrow
has been rescheduled. He wants you to check your mail as soon as possible for the
details. He said it was urgent.
Ambu
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