Synthesis is at the core of everything we do at Clarity First, and so when I saw an example come across my desk this week I couldn't resist turning it into an exercise.
This email is laid out nicely and yet there are a couple of areas where synthesis can be improved.
When reviewing this one, remember our ‘value ladder' that lays out the different kinds of messages and ask yourself some questions:
- What level are these messages at?
- How can I synthesise to make it easier for the reader to glean the messages by skimming?
I have included the latest version of the Value Ladder here as reference as well as download links for the before and after versions.
I hope you find it useful.
Dav
PS – Those of you who have been following our ‘synthesis project' will note two things with this version of the ladder.
- ‘information' includes data that may be catalogued and categorised.
- ‘synthesis' can be both informative and insightful. I have labelled that extra level of insight as ‘flair'. We can no doubt debate this more in our next Momentum session!
