I have found the same to be true, you must understand the reader. Sometimes the reader will read into the the message what they want it to say, not necessarily what the message is. So a brief concise message will help ensure the clarity of the message.
First,consider the knowledge of the reader. Make sure my key message is at the beginning of the message and also in the subject line so that the message is read.I would make it short and concise. Thinking and organizing from my readers point of view helps ensure that they will understand what I am trying to say. Another thing is to make sure the purpose of the communication is the same as the beginning and on completion of the draft. And finally, brief and clear messages will help ensure there are no misunderstandings.
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I agree with your observation that we must understand the reader before writing the message. Knowing the background of our reader is paramount in choosing the appropriate vocabulary to clearly communicate our message. I deal with a diverse array of non-traditional students, and my choice of vocabulary may make the difference between an effective communication and one that will not produce the desired result.
We should consider understanding the reader before writing the message. Knowing the readers' needs, interests, concerns, their questions, and familiarity with the topic can improve the clarity of our writing. Another aspect to consider is the purpose of the communication when beginning and on completion of the draft. By keeping in mind what type of document we are writing, we can choose the most effective organization method. And finally, brief concise messages will ensure clarity.
