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The 7 C’s of Effective Communication – Explained with Examples

An effective communication takes place when the message sent across by the conveyer is clear and easily comprehended by the receiver and relevant response is fed back to the one who conveyed the message and the flow continues similarly.

Source: Kurhan/Adobe Stock

Although communication takes place at all times, if it is done effectively is a matter of dispute. For the most part, people don’t communicate efficiently, and this has been one of the predominant contributors to interpersonal conflicts.

Lack of proper listening, psychological conditions, poor comprehension skills, absence of mind, ambiguity in the message conveyed, and improper usage of words are some of the most frequently occurring mistakes during conversations.

So what makes communication effective? What are some of the tips and strategies that can be applied when communicating in general?

We are constantly in touch with people, texting, sending emails, creating reports, attending conferences and whatnot. So how can we scale up our communication game? What would make us stand out and seem distinctive in this world swarming with competitors?

The 7 C’s of Effective Communication

The 7 C’s of communication is an excellent strategy formulated by Scott Cutlip and Allen Center in the year 1952 in his book “Effective public relations”. This came to be utilized by people across the globe and is one of the most operative strategies used to date.

It involves the following C’s:

Completeness
Correctness
Conciseness
Consideration
Concreteness

These strategies apply to both written and oral communication . The one who is aware of and makes use of these 7C’s in a sensible manner can become a good and effective communicator.

1. Completeness

This is one of the most significant aspects of effective communication . Completeness refers to giving full information about something rather than just saying it in bits and pieces. It’s the right of the recipient to receive access to the whole chunk of information to be able to follow the sender’s line of reasoning in regards to the matter being discussed.

For example, when Peter told “write a short passage on data science and send me”, Shawn couldn’t understand the context whatsoever. He had too many questions in his head about the topic, its length and the style of writing, where this piece of writing go etc.

Instead, Peter could frame his instructions as “Shawn I want you to write a 100-200 word short essay on the recent trends in data science. Submit it to me by the end of this day. I need it for our blog.”

Completeness holds much higher salience during the delegation of tasks when the subordinates need detailed instructions to pursue a task at hand.

2. Correctness

The genuineness and the value of your speech lie in its correctness and authenticity. It’s better to keep quiet rather than talk about something that you aren’t so sure of. The correctness of the speech would reflect directly on your personality and so it should be given utmost prominence.

The legitimacy of the factual information, the language used and grammar are some of the aspects of correctness amongst others.

If your audience spots any errors or blunders in your speech, it is no longer valued and they are likely to be distracted. The credibility of the speaker would also receive a massive hit and therefore the effectiveness of the communication will be compromised.

Related: Language Barriers

3. Conciseness

Conciseness is to keep the speech short and crisp. Nobody likes listening to someone who delivers long and draggy speeches because people lose interest and attention very easily. When interacting or delivering the speech, the ultimate objective is to make sure that the message is received in its intended form. Lack of conciseness will lead to the loss of essence in the content. Make sure to keep your speech brief and precise.

For example,

Intended message: “could you please receive Amanda from the airport?”

Delivered method: “Yesterday was a tiring day. Last night I couldn’t sleep properly. My wife has severe migraine and she’s down. I couldn’t have breakfast in the morning and I am tired. Amanda has taken her flight from Indonesia last night. She would reach here in some time. It would be nice if someone could pick her up from the airport.”

In this example, the message was simple. Yet, the sender makes it seem complicated and leaves the recipient feeling puzzled, irritated or exhausted. Also, he may deny the request. Such delivery of a message makes the message lose its value.

Related: Semantic Barriers

4. Courtesy

Courtesy refers to communicating with politeness, genuineness and respect for the person on the other side of the conversation. It will naturally scale up the value of communication. Courtesy is a tendency which stems out of empathy for people.

To be courteous doesn’t mean just use polite, magical phrases like “thank you”, “sorry”, “please” and “excuse me”. It also means to be honest, respectful and empathetic of people and not make sarcastic or any other form of passive-aggressive remarks.

One classic example would be from the infamous movie “Mean Girls” where Regina would tell a fellow classmate about how she loves the skirt she was wearing. As the girl leaves, Regina would tell her friend Cady how that was the ugliest skirt she has ever seen. This is an example of how you should not communicate.

In many instances, people use the power of their intellect and status to belittle the plight of others. This is so especially among those who bully the perceivably weaker ones for their timidity, racial backgrounds, gender, and color among many other aspects.

The global star Priyanka Chopra narrates in an interview about her high school days when she was severely bullied by her schoolmates. She was called names like “brownie” for her skin color and her ethnicity so much so that she was forced to have lunch inside a toilet cubicle.

Related: Assertive Communication

Clarity is to transfer accurate and easily comprehendible messages to the receiver. Before choosing to talk, be clear about your goals for the conversation. Let the other person know what your objective is for the interaction. To make your speech clear, always use simple language rather than using intricate phrases that would make comprehension difficult.

The recipient shouldn’t be made to “read between the lines”. Even if the content is complicated in nature, try to divide your ideas, distill it and make it as simple and clear as possible as that would make it easy for the receiver to grasp the information well.

6. Consideration

Consideration is quite similar to that of courtesy. It means to consider the other person and to address them putting you in their place. In other words, you talk to someone in a way you would want someone to talk to you.

For example, if you prefer someone to talk to you with respect and politeness, you would exhibit the same behaviors towards others. Just as that of courtesy, one should be inherently empathetic to be able to show consideration for the other person. When you are considerate, you sincerely regard people’s interests and benefits.

To be considerate also means to acknowledge the situational factors of the audience that you address. If you are going to give a talk on astrophysics amongst a bunch of seven-year-olds, the only response you would receive would be the sound of yawning and snoring; maybe even a giggle here and there if you’re lucky.

So when you talk to someone, remember to acknowledge their background such as their age, language proficiency, culture, literacy level, mental state, character, interests etc. so that you may be relatable to your audience and your intended message reaches them successfully.

7. Concreteness

Concrete communication denotes your message being specific, meaningful and focused. You don’t beat around the bush to get to a point. Rather it is solid and concise. You avoid vague and ambiguous messages and only strive toward making your information well received by the recipient. Your speech is crisp yet brimming with beneficial information. You incorporate factual evidence and figures to enhance the authenticity of your speech.

For example, when you say “Depression is a global issue”, you don’t just bluntly make that claim but also pitch in the statistical values and empirical evidence to support your statement.

And now, for your upcoming presentations make sure to follow these strategies and show up your confidence. These effective strategies may take you to the place of success at your workplace.

Best of luck!

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Essay on 7 Cs of Communication

Professional communication is a skill that develops over time. Communication can take many forms, from writing to speaking to creating videos. Each approach has value but so does the combination of skills used to achieve the communication message.

The seven C’s of communication are a set of principles that ensures that the underlying message is communicated effectively when we are communicating.

The seven C’s of good communication are clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considered and courteous.

What is it about clarity of communication that helps to make it clear? In the simplest terms, clarity is determined by clarity of content. Clear communication, when conducted well, helps to define specific meanings of the message, clarifying the overall meaning that is being conveyed to a person’s mind.

Communication that is unclear and lacks clarity is only expressed through fuzzy language, long, complicated sentences, and non-constructive wording, leaving the impression that the message is meant in a vague manner. This sends the message that the listener can create his or her own interpretation. In essence, if the message is ambiguous, listeners will not know what it is meant to mean. When writing communication, clarity is just as important.

Communication must be correct for it to be understood correctly. When we communicate, the first thing we must do is be accurate in our facts and then provide other details.

“It’s our duty to say what is true.” –President John F. Kennedy. Correct communication must be considered because it can make a difference to someone’s life.

3. Complete

Complete communication can only take place when the underlying message is communicated clearly. The following areas are vital for effective communication:

Spelling and Grammar: Spelling and grammar are very important. Poor spelling can cause significant errors to be misinterpreted or misquoted. Spelling and grammar are very important. Poor spelling can cause significant errors to be misinterpreted or misquoted.
Pronunciation: Effective communication requires a clear understanding of how to pronounce each word, without making mistakes. Effective communication requires a clear understanding of how to pronounce each word, without making mistakes.
Hyphenation: Hyphenation is the act of putting a period at the beginning of two words.

4. Concrete

This form of communication is often referred to as concrete, simply because we must make what we are saying concrete in order to communicate it effectively. This form of communication can be used effectively to make the meaning of a message so simple that it becomes understandable by all.

For example, instead of saying “I want a new computer,” say “I would like a new computer.” This language that helps you communicate with the other person what you want to convey is what is called “direct communication.” The Direct Message Concrete communication works with the person to whom we are communicating in order to make the message clear.

We can use phrases such as, “I would like a new computer,” “I want you to do something for me,” or “I want you to take me to the beach”.

Concise communication is essential for conveying both a message and the meaning behind the message to the audience. This is a very easy practice to start and it improves clarity of expression and a strong message.

There are a number of ways to improve the use of concise communication. The most obvious is to limit the number of words in a communication, but that is only one of the factors that can affect the clarity of message. Focusing on the message, one word at a time, will assist in the formation of better, clearer thoughts.

It also helps that it is easy to use, especially when using small words. Using simple, short words and phrases like simple, short, and clear allows for greater clarity of meaning.

6. Considered

The inclusion of the word ‘consider’ in the previous statement is because there are three different levels to consider when communicating.

First and foremost, we should consider the effect that the message has on the recipient, or to put it another way, we should consider the feelings and beliefs that the message is likely to generate in the receiver.

I find it amazing that many people think they are being straightforward when they are not, just because they have not actually thought about how their communication is going to be received.

Communicating is an act of kindness, so if you’re not careful you might lose that gentle sentiment in the mix of harsh language. People have many emotions; there are some that feel comforted by language that is considered rude or blunt.

7. Courteous

When we are courteous we communicate to a good standard. We are precise, action-oriented, considerate and respectful.

We are clear, we do not make excuses, we get our information and facts straight. We remember to be courteous by putting in the effort, not holding ourselves back. There is nothing worse than when we feel good and express our views then our tone changes as soon as someone else appears in the conversation or we become irritated.

A word or phrase of warning on this topic is to learn to express our feelings, opinions and feelings in a constructive manner. A bit of bullying can turn into a lot of stress if we don’t know how to convey our opinions with a positive manner. When we are on the receiving end of a sarcastic comment it makes us feel uncomfortable and upset.

The words you choose and how you say them affect how the receiver understands you and what you mean to say. Whether your message is from a friend, co-worker, or family member, every word you choose impacts the way the receiver believes and interprets what you have said.

If you communicate with people whom you know not to understand what you are saying, such as a foreign language student, relatives you don’t understand, or colleagues who seem to misunderstand you, you may not get where you are going with your communication.

Choosing the wrong words and understanding the wrong things in your communication can lead to lost opportunities, misunderstandings, and frustrated interactions with others. To clarify a message that is not clear can lead to frustration and missed opportunities.

“The reason for communicating as such falls into four topics: completion, clarity, creativity, and courtesy. In context, you are perhaps criticized if you do not fulfill these criteria — in other words, you don’t communicate clearly. This communication style reflects concerns such as keeping promises and fulfilling commitments; and it conveys the idea that the thought we convey matters to the listener.”

The Seven C’s All stem from the development of grammar and usage. Grammar follows the rules. The “rules” often work so well, making almost every sentence sound good (and memorable).

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7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF

Published by team sy on april 15, 2024.

The 7 Cs of communication – clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive – provide a useful checklist for sending effective messages in both professional and personal settings. Clarity, brevity and tact are key elements of communication that resonates with audiences. Mastery of the 7 C’s can help you craft emails, reports, presentations and discussions that accomplish desired outcomes.

From customer service messages to employee communications, applying the 7Cs of effective communication will enhance your ability to connect and engage with others.
Whether addressing supervisors, subordinates or service users, proper usage of these communication principles helps ensure messages are well-received and achieve intended purposes.
Each of the 7 C’s reinforces good practices that optimize comprehension, trust and cooperation between communicators.

With relevant examples, learn how sharpening your use of clear, concise, concrete and other “C” words can make a real difference in the impact of your communications.

Download 7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF

Table of Contents

Explain 7 Cs of Communication With Examples

The 7 C’s of communication – clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive – provide a useful framework for ensuring that written and verbal messages are well-received by the intended audience. These principles emphasize the importance of precision, brevity and politeness in business and personal communications. Applying the 7Cs of effective communication helps optimize mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between communicators. With relevant examples, each of the 7 C’s can be explained and applied in practice to strengthen the clarity, impact and persuasiveness of your communications. When incorporated into your emails, reports, presentations and discussions on a consistent basis, the habits cultivated from utilizing the 7 C’s of communication can transform your ability to engage and connect with others.

Check 7Cs of effective communication with examples below.

Good examples of each C in action:

“Please proofread this report for spelling and grammar mistakes.” (Clear + Courteous)

“Sales increased 12% last month. Let me know if you have any questions.” (Concise + Concrete + Complete + Courteous)

“Going forward, I suggest we provide a budget figure in each proposal to give clients a better cost estimate.” (Constructive)

7 Cs of effective Communication checklist

With consistent practice and feedback, the 7 C’s can become habitual approaches that improve all your communications! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Below we have explained the 7Cs of business communication

Clear – Communication should be simple, straightforward and unambiguous to avoid confusion. Use plain language and define any jargon or technical terms.
Concise – Get to the point quickly and communicate the key messages in the fewest words possible. Avoid unnecessary details.
Concrete – Use specific examples, numbers, and facts to illustrate your points. Avoid vague language.
Correct – Check your communications for accuracy, consistency and correct spelling and grammar. Facts should be verifiable.
Courteous – Be polite, respectful and professional in your tone. Avoid sarcasm, arguments and threats.
Complete – Provide all relevant information and context needed for the recipient to understand the communication. Leave no open gaps.
Constructive – Offer suggestions or solutions where appropriate. Focus on moving forward in a positive manner rather than dwelling on problems. Provide positive and negative feedback strategically.

The 7 C’s represent helpful guidelines for effective workplace communication. They emphasize qualities like clarity, brevity, accuracy and tact, which help ensure communications are well-received and accomplish desired outcomes. Consistently applying these principles can improve communication in areas like emails, reports, presentations, discussions and more.

Idioms on Science and Technology – You Must Know!

Importance of 7Cs of Communication

The 7 C’s of communication are an important framework for crafting effective messages that resonate with audiences. Here are some reasons why mastering the 7 C’s is important:

They optimize comprehension and minimize misunderstandings. Using clear, concise, and concrete language makes it easier for others to understand your intended meaning. This reduces the chances of miscommunication and confusion.
They build trust and credibility. Communicating information that is correct, complete, and evidence-based helps establish you as a reliable source. This builds trust in your communications over time.
They foster positive relationships. Being courteous and respectful in your communications helps create goodwill. Constructive feedback can strengthen relationships by focusing on improvement rather than criticism.
They improve information retention. Clear, concise messages that get straight to the point are more likely to be remembered and acted upon by the recipient. Reducing “noise” maximizes retention of key information.
They demonstrate professionalism. Mastering the habits of the 7 C’s signals a greater level of polish, preparation and attention to detail – hallmarks of a professional communicator.
They increase influence. Communications that are easy to understand, credible and courteous are more likely to persuade and motivate others to take desired actions.
They enhance performance. Improved communication minimizes delays, rework and errors caused by misunderstandings. It allows teams to operate more efficiently.

How can I improve my communication skills using the 7 C’s?

Here are some ways you can improve your communication skills by applying the 7 C’s:

Practice clarity. Avoid jargon, ambiguity and vagueness. Define technical terms. Use simple, direct language.
Be concise. Get straight to the point. Cut unnecessary words. Practice editing your communications down to the essentials.
Provide concrete details. Use specific examples, numbers, facts and evidence to illustrate and support your key messages.
Check for accuracy. Proofread carefully for spelling and grammatical errors. Verify facts and figures before communicating them.
Adopt a courteous tone. Be polite, respectful and avoid harsh language. Use “please” and “thank you.” Watch your volume and pace of speech.
Provide all relevant context. Explain acronyms. Summarize important background information. Offer to provide more details for those who need it.
Focus on solutions. Offer helpful suggestions, recommendations or next steps wherever possible. Shift the focus from problems to progress.
Practice active listening. Ask clarifying questions and summarize to check your understanding.
Solicit feedback. Ask colleagues to point out areas for improvement based on the 7 C’s.
Record yourself. Review video or audio of your speaking to identify areas for clearer, more concise communication.
Write it down. Drafting emails, reports or presentations using the 7 C’s can develop better habits for verbal communication too.

The key is consistent practice and seeking feedback over time. Breaking larger communications into shorter chunks can also help make them more “C-focused.” As you improve one or two C’s at first, your skills across all seven will gradually strengthen.

With patience and perseverance, applying the 7 C’s framework can noticeably improve the effectiveness and impact of your communication, both written and spoken! Let me know if you have any other questions.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the 7 C’s?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the 7 C’s of communication:

Being vague instead of clear. Using ambiguous words and phrases instead of precise language that leaves no room for misinterpretation.
Being wordy instead of concise. Rambling or including extraneous details that do not directly support your key message.
Lacking concrete details. Failing to provide specific examples, numbers, evidence to illustrate your point. Relying too much on vague generalities.
Inaccuracies in content. Providing incorrect information due to not thoroughly fact checking or proofreading your communications.
An impolite or rude tone of voice. Speaking in a harsh, angry or impatient manner. Failing to use courtesy words like “please” and “thank you.”
Leaving out relevant context. Failing to fully explain necessary background or definitions for an external audience. Forgetting to provide attachments for those who need more information.
Focusing on problems, not solutions. Dwelling on negative issues rather than putting forth helpful suggestions for resolution or improvement.

Other common mistakes:

Interrupting and failing to listen actively. Not pausing to ask clarifying questions or summarize key points.
Declining feedback. Refusing opportunities to improve based on the 7 C’s when others offer constructive input.
Not proofreading and editing written communications. Missing small errors in spelling, grammar or consistency that undermine your credibility.

Avoiding these common traps will improve your ability to apply the 7 C’s of communication effectively. The key is to develop good communication habits that optimize clarity, brevity, tact, courtesy and reliability – the hallmarks of truly resonating with one’s intended audience.

FAQs on the 7 C’s of Communication

The 7 C’s of communication are: clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive. They provide guidelines for crafting messages that communicate effectively.

The 7 C’s improve comprehension, build credibility and foster better relationships. They ensure messages are well-received and achieve desired outcomes. Mastering the 7 C’s enhances professionalism and influence.

The 7 C’s were originally developed by management consultants and business communication experts. There is no single person credited with discovering them.

While the 7 C’s framework is well-known, the key principles of clarity, conciseness and courtesy likely encompass most of what is required for effective communication. Mastery of even a few of the 7 C’s can significantly improve how you connect and engage with others. The ultimate goal is creating communications that resonate with the intended audience.

At Studiously Yours Blog you can get 7Cs of communication PDF.

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The 7 Cs of Communication

A checklist for clear communication.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Key Takeaways

The 7 Cs of Communication help you to communicate more effectively.
The 7 Cs stand for: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous. Though there are a few variations.
You can use the 7 Cs as a checklist in your written and spoken messages. Follow our examples to learn how!

Think of how often you communicate with people during the day. You write emails, facilitate meetings, participate in conference calls, create reports, devise presentations, debate with your colleagues… the list goes on.

We can spend almost our entire day communicating. So, it stands to reason that communicating clearly and effectively can boost productivity.

This is why the 7 Cs of Communication are helpful. The 7 Cs provide a checklist for making sure that your meetings , emails , conference calls, reports , and presentations are well constructed and clear – so your audience gets your message.

In this article and in the video, below, we'll look at each of the 7 Cs of Communication, and illustrate each element with both good and bad examples.

What Are the 7 Cs of Effective Communication?

According to the 7 Cs, communication needs to be:

From Cutlip, Scott M., Center, Allen H., Broom, Glen M., Effective Public Relations, 11th, 2013 . Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., New York, New York [1]

When writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your purpose in communicating with this person? If you're not sure, then your audience won't be either.

To be clear, try to minimize the number of ideas in each sentence. Make sure that it's easy for your reader to understand your meaning. People shouldn't have to "read between the lines" and make assumptions on their own to understand what you're trying to say.

Bad Example

I wanted to write you a quick note about Daniel, who's working in your department. He's a great asset, and I'd like to talk to you more about him when you have time.

What is this email about? Well, we're not sure. First, if there are multiple Daniels in John's department, John won't know who Skip is talking about.

Next, what is Daniel doing, specifically, that's so great? We don't know that either. It's so vague, that John will definitely have to write back for more information.

Last, what is the purpose of this email? Does Skip simply want to have an idle chat about Daniel or is there some more specific goal here? There's no sense of purpose to this message, so it's a bit confusing.

Good Example

I wanted to write you a quick note about Daniel Kedar, who's working in your department. In recent weeks, he's helped the IT department through several pressing deadlines on his own time.

We've got a tough upgrade project due to run over the next three months, and his knowledge and skills would prove invaluable. Could we please have his help with this work?

I'd appreciate speaking with you about this. When is it best to call you to discuss this further?

Best wishes,

This second message is much clearer because the reader has the information he needs to take action.

When you're concise in your communication, you stick to the point and keep it brief. Your audience doesn't want to read six sentences when you could communicate your message in three. Ask yourself:

Are there any adjectives or "filler words" that you can delete? You can often eliminate words like "for instance," "you see," "definitely," "kind of," "literally," "basically," or "I mean."
Are there any unnecessary sentences?
Have you repeated the point several times, in different ways?

I wanted to touch base with you about the email marketing campaign we kind of sketched out last Thursday. I really think that our target market is definitely going to want to see the company's philanthropic efforts. I think that could make a big impact, and it would stay in their minds longer than a sales pitch.

For instance, if we talk about the company's efforts to become sustainable, as well as the charity work we're doing in local schools, then the people that we want to attract are going to remember our message longer. The impact will just be greater.

What do you think?

This email is too long! There's repetition, and there's plenty of "filler" taking up space.

Watch what happens when we're concise and take out the filler words:

I wanted to quickly discuss the email marketing campaign that we analyzed last Thursday. Our target market will want to know about the company's philanthropic efforts, especially our goals to become sustainable and help local schools.

This would make a far greater impact, and it would stay in their minds longer than a traditional sales pitch.

3. Concrete

When your message is concrete, your audience has a clear picture of what you're telling them. There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts, and there's laser-like focus. Your message is solid.

Consider this advertising copy:

The Lunchbox Wizard will save you time every day.

A statement like this probably won't sell many of these products. There's no passion, no vivid detail, nothing that creates emotion, and nothing that tells people in the audience why they should care. This message isn't concrete enough to make a difference.

How much time do you spend every day packing your kids' lunches? No more! Just take a complete Lunchbox Wizard from your refrigerator each day to give your kids a healthy lunch and have more time to play or read with them!

This copy is better because there are vivid images. The audience can picture spending quality time with their kids – and what parent could argue with that? And mentioning that the product is stored in the refrigerator explains how the product is also practical. The message has come alive through these details.

When your communication is correct, your audience will be able to understand it. And correct communication is also error-free communication. Make sure your message is correct by asking yourself the following questions:

Do the technical terms you use fit your audience's level of education or knowledge?
Have you checked your writing for grammatical errors? (Remember, spell checkers won't catch everything).
Are all names and titles spelled correctly?

Thanks so much for meeting me at lunch today! I enjoyed our conservation, and I'm looking forward to moving ahead on our project. I'm sure that the two-weak deadline won't be an issue.

Thanks again, and I'll speak to you soon!

Jack Miller

If you read that example fast, then you might not have caught any errors. But on closer inspection, you'll find two. Can you see them?

The first error is that the writer accidentally typed conservation instead of conversation. This common error can happen when you're typing too fast. The other error is using weak instead of week.

Again, spell checkers won't catch word errors like this, which is why it's so important to proofread everything!

5. Coherent

When your communication is coherent, it's logical. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text is consistent.

I wanted to write you a quick note about the report you finished last week. I gave it to Michelle to proof, and she wanted to make sure you knew about the department meeting we're having this Friday. We'll be creating an outline for the new employee handbook.

As you can see, this email doesn't communicate its point very well. Where is Michelle's feedback on Traci's report? She started to mention it, but then she changed the topic to Friday's meeting.

I wanted to write you a quick note about the report you finished last week. I gave it to Michelle to proof, and she let me know that there are a few changes that you'll need to make. She'll email you her detailed comments later this afternoon.

Notice that in the good example, Michelle does not mention Friday's meeting. This is because the meeting reminder should be an entirely separate email. This way, Traci can delete the report feedback email after she makes her changes, but save the email about the meeting as her reminder to attend. Each email has only one main topic.

6. Complete

In a complete message, the audience has everything they need to be informed and, if applicable, take action.

Does your message include a "call to action," so that your audience clearly knows what you want them to do?
Have you included all relevant information – contact names, dates, times, locations, and so on?

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to send you all a reminder about the meeting we're having tomorrow!

See you then,

This message is not complete, for obvious reasons. What meeting? When is it? Where? Chris has left his team without the necessary information.

I just wanted to remind you about tomorrow's meeting on the new telecommuting policies. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the second-level conference room. Please let me know if you can't attend.

7. Courteous

Courteous communication is friendly, open and honest. There are no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. You keep your reader's viewpoint in mind, and you're empathetic to their needs.

I wanted to let you know that I don't appreciate how your team always monopolizes the discussion at our weekly meetings. I have a lot of projects, and I really need time to get my team's progress discussed as well. So far, thanks to your department, I haven't been able to do that. Can you make sure they make time for me and my team next week?

Well, that's hardly courteous! Messages like this can potentially start office-wide fights. And this email does nothing but create bad feelings, which can lower productivity and morale. A little bit of courtesy, even in difficult situations, can go a long way.

I wanted to write you a quick note to ask a favor. During our weekly meetings, your team does an excellent job of highlighting their progress. But this uses some of the time available for my team to highlight theirs. I'd really appreciate it if you could give my team a little extra time each week to fully cover their progress reports.

Thanks so much, and please let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

What a difference! This email is courteous and friendly, and it has little chance of spreading bad feelings around the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created the 7 cs.

Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center are credited as the minds behind the 7 Cs of Communication. They first introduced the checklist in their book, "Effective Public Relations." [2]

Why are the 7 Cs important?

Clear and effective communication is a vital skill in life, and at work. It helps you not only to get what you want, but also to build relationships and maintain a great reputation. While there are lots of different communication tools and techniques that help you to improve, the 7 Cs offer an easy way to ensure that your communication is always as effective as possible.

How to remember the 7 Cs

If you struggle to remember each of the seven Cs, try a memory aid tool , such as associating imagery with each word, or storytelling.

There are a few variations of the 7 Cs of Communication:

Credible – Does your message improve or highlight your credibility? This is especially important when communicating with an audience that doesn't know much about you.
Creative – Does your message communicate your main points creatively? Creative communication can help to keep your audience engaged.

The better we communicate, the more credibility we'll have with our clients, our boss and our co-workers.

Use the 7 Cs of Communication as a checklist for all of your communication. By doing this, you'll stay clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.

[1][2] Cutlip, S.M., Center, A.H., and Broom, G.M. (2013). ' Effective Public Relations' 11th edn. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

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The seven cs of effective communication.

Helping teachers talk to parents about A2 Key for Schools, B1 Preliminary for Schools and B2 First for Schools

When we think of the people involved in teaching and learning, we tend to think of the teachers and the learners. Yet, in the context of young learner and teenage education this leaves out a very important stakeholder – the parents or carers!

Parents have a very keen interest in what happens with the learning of the children in their care. As a teacher, having open and constructive channels of communication with parents is essential. Having an effective strategy to bring them into the classroom and the learning process is very often the key to success.

Follow our seven-point checklist when you plan, write and revise your communications. It will help you explain to parents exactly what you need them to know so they become your partners in their child’s learning journey.

It is important to be clear about our aim and message when we are communicating with someone. Clear communication explains complicated ideas in ways that you can understand using simple and familiar language. It leaves no doubts or ambiguity about the purpose of the communication.

Tip: Start with a list of the things that you need parents to know, agree to or understand. Then eliminate anything on the list that you think they will not be familiar with. Do they know what ‘communicative competence’ or ‘B1 on the CEFR’ mean? Probably not … so don’t include it!

2. Concrete

Once you have removed jargon, how do you fill in the gaps? Good communication is essential: your challenge is to find a new way to say these things that gives a clear and specific picture. An explanation can help, but an image or a comparison is even better!

Tip: Imagine that learners are football players – we want them to know the rules of the game, but we are not interested in how well they can recite them. Instead, we want to see how they use them in a real match, and how they can use them to solve the problems they face on the pitch. That is what we call competence.

Stick to the point. Be brief. This shows respect for our audience (you appreciate that their time is valuable), but it also helps to keep us clear and precise.

A good example of concise information is the Can Do statements that we use to describe learner competence. When we say that a B1 Preliminary candidate ‘CAN understand routine information and articles’ and ‘CAN understand straightforward instructions or public announcements’ we create a simple image.

Tip: The descriptors in our handbooks for teachers will give you plenty of examples ready for when you talk to parents about what their child CAN do at each level. Search to find all our resources for teachers .

4. Considerate

Tone and register are important. Too formal and you will come across as distant and unapproachable; too casual and you will not sound professional. Consider the age, style and expectations of the parents – look at yourself through their eyes and meet their expectations.

Tip: Imagine what the parents will ask you about their child’s progress and prepare what you are going to say. You could use the results of homework or practice tests to show parents how their child is progressing and that they are ready to take an exam.

5. Coherent

Coherent communication is about being logical and effective. A good argument must feel like the shortest, easiest line from idea A to idea B – no detours and no gaps. If you are talking about why taking an exam at the end of a course is important, be sure that all your points are connected and relevant to your main argument.

Tip: For example, you could structure your points as follows: ‘The national curriculum says that by the end of secondary school learners should reach a B2 level of English. It is very important for the school and the families to feel confident that our students are on track to meet that very important goal. Taking a Cambridge English Qualification is an excellent way to increase their confidence. We recommend that your child takes A2 Key for Schools and B1 Preliminary for Schools at the end of years 2 and 4.’

Correct communication is appropriate and error free – especially in writing. This includes proofreading, but also making sure that any details (such as names of exams, dates and addresses) are correct and consistent throughout your message.

Tip: It helps to have a second, fresh pair of eyes. Ask a colleague who does not know what you are trying to communicate to read the message, highlight any issues and then explain it back to you. If they can do it, then the parents can too!

7. Complete

Good communication will tell parents everything that they need to know, and also what they are expected to do next. Have you ticked all the items on the list in the tip in the first point? If you need parents to do something, did you mention exactly what it is?

Tip: Remember the Rule of Three. No message is complete unless you have mentioned the main ideas three times: once at the introduction (‘I am going to tell you about B1 Preliminary’), then in the development (‘This is what you need to know about B1 Preliminary’) and once more at the end (‘Now that you know this about B1 Preliminary, remember to …’).

Learn more about how you can talk to parents about their child’s progress in our recent webinar for teachers by Pablo Toledo.

Watch our webinar

Find lots more support and resources about talking to parents about Cambridge English Qualifications .

Five ways a celta qualification will further your career.

Choosing the right English language teaching course for you can be a challenge. Here are five reasons why we recommend taking an official Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) qualification from Cambridge.

Real life English language skills for business – how Linguaskill can help

Linguaskill is a quick and convenient online test to help organisations check the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates, powered by Artificial Intelligence technology. It tests all four language skills - speaking, writing, reading and listening - in modules.

Linguaskill: the flexible option for language testing

Linguaskill’s modular testing offers a flexible option to test takers. If they need to improve their score in a particular skill, then they can take that part of the test again. Their other scores are unaffected and they won’t have to retake the other three sections. Linguaskill’s flexibility benefits institutions and employers, too. Let’s take a look.

Mediation skills in the English language classroom

Taking information, summarising it, and passing it on is an example of what linguists call mediation, and it is a key skill for language learners at all levels. It’s the subject of the latest Cambridge Paper in ELT which looks at some of the best strategies teachers can use to teach and assess mediation skills.

A Complete Guide To The 7 Cs of Effective Communication (With Examples)

In a world filled with tweets, statuses, likes, and shares, it’s easy to assume that we’re masters of conveying our thoughts and ideas.

But there’s a vast difference between speaking and actually communicating.

In this ever-evolving landscape of emojis and digital noise, effective communication has become an indispensable skill.

According to a survey finding , a 100,000-employee company can incur an annual cost of $62.4 million due to poor communication.

On the contrary, companies with effective communicators can have 47% higher total returns.

Learning how to communicate effectively is an essential skill in navigating this highly competitive business world.

In this blog, we will delve into the 7 Cs of effective communication to unravel their significance. From clarity and courtesy, we will equip you with the essentials of effective communication to leave an impact in business communications like meetings, presentations, and also in your personal life.

So, are you ready to unlock the secrets of effective communication?

Let’s dive in:

What is Effective Communication?

Benefits of effective communication, what are the 7 cs of effective communication, final thoughts.

Effective communication refers to the process of conveying information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings from one person to another in a clear, concise, and understandable manner.

Communicating effectively ensures your message is accurately understood by the recipient, leading to successful interaction between individuals or groups.

Effective communication is like the secret sauce that makes all your interactions and relationships juicier and more flavorful.

It’s the art of expressing yourself clearly and authentically while also being able to listen attentively and empathetically.

Effective communication can take various forms depending on the context and the medium used.

Here are some common forms of effective communication:

Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
Visual Communication
Active Listening
Digital Communication
Public Speaking

Effective communication is a vital skill in various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional settings, and social interactions.

You may want to check out our short video on Non-verbal communication:

Whether you’re conveying information, expressing ideas, or building relationships, following the principles of effective communication helps you communicate more effectively:

Here are a few benefits that show the importance of 7cs of communication:

Understanding: Effective communication helps others understand your ideas, thoughts, and feelings more clearly. It reduces misinterpretations and promotes shared understanding between individuals.
Stronger Relationships: When you communicate effectively, you build stronger and more meaningful relationships and cause healthier personal and professional interactions.
Conflict Resolution: Effective communication allows you to express your concerns, listen to other perspectives, and find common ground. Persuasive speaking helps you find mutually beneficial solutions and promotes harmony.
Increased Productivity: Clear and efficient communication enhances productivity in various settings. By conveying instructions, expectations, and feedback effectively , you minimize errors and improve workflow efficiency.

Improved Decision-Making: When communication is clear and open, decision-making becomes more informed and effective. Access to relevant information, diverse viewpoints, and constructive discussions enable better decision-making processes.
Professional Success: Soft skills are one of the essentials of business communication and are highly valued in the professional world. Effective communication helps you articulate your ideas, present yourself confidently , and build rapport with colleagues, clients, and superiors. It positively impacts your career advancement.

Influence and Persuasion: By expressing ****your thoughts convincingly, providing supporting evidence, and appealing to emotions, you can inspire action and influence positive change. It is a valuable skill in leadership, negotiation, and public speaking.
Personal Growth: Effective communication contributes to self-awareness. It encourages reflection, active listening, and empathy, allowing individuals to better understand themselves and others. Clear thinking promotes personal development and emotional intelligence.

Effective Communication For the Future of Work. According to a survey of recruiters , 94% agreed that employees who possess strong soft skills are more likely to be promoted. The LinkedIn APAC Future of Skills 2019 Report supports this finding and indicates that with the increasing influence of AI and automation, the value of soft skills is on the rise.

By honing your communication skills, you can navigate life’s challenges more effectively and cultivate meaningful connections with others.

Let’s now look at the 7 Cs of communication one by one.

Clarity is the most important characteristic of communication.

Clear communication means expressing your message in a way that is easily understood by the recipient. It involves using simple language, avoiding jargon or technical terms, and organizing your thoughts logically.

Clarity leaves no room for any confusion or misinterpretation of your message.

Your message should be straightforward and easily comprehensible.

Unclear communication:

Just a quick reminder about the meeting tomorrow. It’s important, so please make sure you’re prepared. Also, don’t forget to bring any relevant documents. See you there!

The email doesn’t mention the specific time, date. And it leaves confusion with the word “relevant documents”.

Clear communication:

I wanted to remind you about the quarterly sales meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 20th, at 10 AM in Conference Room B.

The purpose of this meeting is to review our sales performance for the past quarter and discuss strategies for improvement.

In preparation for the meeting, please make sure to:

Familiarize yourself with the sales data and reports for the past three months.
Identify key trends and insights from the data.
Prepare any relevant recommendations or suggestions for improving our sales performance.

Additionally, please bring a printed copy of your sales figures and any supporting documents that you believe would contribute to our discussion.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Best regards,Kumar

This clear and detailed communication helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and well-prepared for the meeting.

To ensure clarity in communication:

Avoid complex or technical terms and choose simple words
Organize your information in neat and clean manner.
Illustrate your points with examples, analogies, or visual aids.
Pay attention to the tone of your message

Check out our video on why Clarity is important in communication.

Being concise means getting your message across in a clear and straightforward manner without using unnecessary words or information. It’s about distilling your thoughts and ideas into their most essential form.

Conciseness of the message refers to carefully selecting your words and arranging them in a way that is simple, to the point, and easy to understand.

Conciseness in communication ensures that your message is comprehended quickly.

When you ramble on, use filler words , or include too much unnecessary information, you risk losing your audience’s attention and diluting the impact of your message.

Remember, being concise doesn’t mean sacrificing important details; rather, it means prioritizing and presenting information in a streamlined manner.

Non-concise Communication: “Hey Neha, I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming project deadline. So, you know, we’ve been working on it for quite some time, and we’ve encountered a few challenges along the way. I think it’s important for us to take into account all the feedback we’ve received from the team, especially the issues they’ve raised about the budget allocation. Additionally, I believe we should also consider the potential impact of the recent market trends on our project’s success. So, what do you think?”

Concise Communication: “Neha, let’s discuss the project deadline. We need to address the team’s feedback on budget allocation and consider the impact of recent market trends. What are your thoughts?”

So, next time you communicate, think about

how you can trim the fat from your message,
get to the point,
make it easier for others to understand and engage with what you’re saying.

Being correct means conveying accurate and reliable information without errors or misleading statements. Correctness in communication ensures the facts, figures, grammar, spelling, and other details are correct.

It is important to verify facts, use credible sources, and double-check information before sharing it. This applies to both verbal and written communication.

Humans are easily fooled by false information, and it spreads quickly.

According to a study from the MIT Media Lab , false information is 70% more likely to be shared on social media compared to true information. Misinformation travels farther and faster than the truth across all types of information.

Being correct doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on everything or know every single detail. It means that you take responsibility for the information you share and make an effort to provide accurate and reliable data or statements.

If you’re uncertain about something, it’s perfectly fine to admit it and offer to find the correct information later. It shows honesty and integrity, which are valuable traits in effective communication.

Imagine a colleague presenting a sales report in a meeting. They mention that the company achieved a 10% increase in sales last quarter. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that there was a mistake in the calculations, and the actual increase was only 5%.

In this scenario, the colleague’s wrong information could lead to poor decision-making and misunderstandings within the company.

To ensure correctness in communication:

Double-check any facts, figures, or details before communicating them.
Review your communication for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Avoid slang, jargon, or technical terms that might not be familiar to everyone.
Stay informed about changes, updates, or developments related to your topic.

By prioritizing correctness in communication, we establish trust, credibility, and reliability in our interactions.

4. Complete

Being complete means providing all the necessary information and ensuring that your message is comprehensive and thorough. It’s about leaving no room for confusion or ambiguity.

To ensure completeness in communication, it’s important to provide all the relevant facts, details, and context that the recipient needs to fully grasp the message.

You also need to answer any anticipated questions or concerns that the listener may have.

Incomplete Communication: “We need to improve sales.”

This message is vague and lacks specificity. It does not provide any details or guidance on how to improve sales

Complete Communication:

“To improve sales, we should focus on increasing our online advertising budget by 20% for the next quarter. Additionally, let’s launch a targeted email campaign to our existing customer base offering a 10% discount on their next purchase. We should also provide additional sales training to our team members to enhance their product knowledge and customer engagement skills. Lastly, let’s explore strategic partnerships with complementary businesses to expand our customer reach and tap into new markets.”

To ensure completeness in communication:

Determine what information needs to be conveyed or what action needs to be taken.
Collect all the the key details, facts, data, and any supporting materials
Organize the message in a logical and coherent manner.
Review and revise for completeness before sending.

5. Consideration

Consideration in communication is about taking into account the needs, perspectives, and feelings of your listeners. It requires empathy and understanding, taking into account the specific circumstances, preferences, and concerns of your audience.

Doing an in-depth audience analysis is crucial for considerate communication.

You also have to be mindful of the timing and context of your communication. You consider whether it is an appropriate moment to bring up certain topics or if the person is in the right frame of mind to receive the message.

Consideration is not limited to face-to-face interactions—it applies to all forms of communication, including written messages, emails, and even social media posts.

Inconsiderate communication: “I need you to complete this report by the end of the day. It’s urgent and I don’t have time to wait.”

The message is abrupt, demanding, and fails to acknowledge the recipient’s workload or time constraints.

Considerate Communication:

“Hello, I hope you’re doing well. Could you please complete the report by the end of the day if possible? I understand you may have other tasks on your plate, but it would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you need any assistance or if we can discuss the timeline further. Thank you!”

Here the message acknowledges the recipient’s workload and recognizes the need for flexibility by using phrases such as “if possible” and “I understand.” The sender offers assistance and opens the door for further discussion, emphasizing a collaborative approach.

To ensure consideration in your communication:

Put yourself in your audience’s shoes and see how they might perceive your message.
Use language that is respectful, courteous, and appropriate.
Adapt your tone and approach to match their communication style.

6. Concrete

Being concrete means expressing your thoughts and ideas in a specific and tangible way.

Concrete communication is about avoiding vague or ambiguous statements and providing clear details. Concrete language makes your communication more relatable and engaging, enabling your audience to grasp your point quickly and accurately.

Concreteness forms a vivid mental image of your message. It fosters a stronger connection between you and your audience, as they can visualize your ideas more.

Remember, being concrete doesn’t mean you have to provide excessive detail in every situation.

You must find the right balance and provide enough specific information to make your message clear and relatable.

Vague statement: “Our customer satisfaction levels are not where we want them to be. We should work on improving them.”

Concrete Communication:

“Our customer satisfaction survey results for the past quarter indicate an overall satisfaction score of 6.2 out of 10. One area of concern highlighted by customers is the response time for resolving their issues, with an average resolution time of 48 hours. To address this, we will implement a new ticketing system that automates escalations and streamlines the support process. This will reduce response times to within 24 hours, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and higher retention rates.”

Whether you’re sharing a personal story, presenting data, or explaining instructions, using concrete language will enhance your communication skills and make your message resonate with others.

To ensure concreteness in communication:

Include measurable data such as numbers, percentages, or statistics to make your communication more tangible.
Focus on action-oriented language to emphasize actionable steps and outcomes.
Use real-life examples, case studies, or anecdotes to illustrate your points.

7. Courteous

Courteous communication refers to the use of polite and respectful language and behavior. It involves maintaining a professional and friendly tone, adhering to social norms, and showing respect for others’ opinions, time, and boundaries.

Courtesy in communication creates a positive and supportive atmosphere, fostering better understanding and stronger relationships.

You must choose your words and tone carefully to ensure that your message is received in a positive and respectful manner.

You should avoid using offensive or disrespectful language and strive to maintain a professional and friendly tone.

Uncourteous communication: Hey, Rita, your presentation yesterday was terrible. You need to improve your skills. It was a waste of everyone’s time.

Courteous Communication: Hey, Rita, do you have a moment? I wanted to talk about the presentation you gave yesterday. I appreciate your effort, and I believe there are areas where we can make it even stronger.

By incorporating courtesy into your communication, you can sound more professional.

It helps you enhance the effectiveness and impact of your message while nurturing healthy connections with those around you.

Difference between consideration and courtesy in communication:

consideration focuses on understanding and addressing the specific needs, interests, and perspectives of the audience,
while courtesy centers on using polite and respectful language and behavior, and showing respect for others’ opinions, time, and boundaries.

You may want to check out our video on how to speak like a professional.

No communication is complete without feedback.

Yes, feedback is essential for effective communication.

Feedback allows for confirmation, clarification, and adjustment of the message.

Feedback can be given through verbal or non-verbal responses, questions, or written comments. It helps to ensure that the intended message is accurately received and interpreted.

Without feedback, communication becomes one-sided, leading to misunderstandings and assumptions. Feedback closes the loop and helps ensure that both parties understand each other.

By actively seeking and encouraging feedback, you create an environment where your listeners and team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

Taking feedback requires humility and an open mind. Embracing feedback empowers us to refine our communication style. On the flip side, giving feedback requires finesse and tact.

Check out the perfect way to give feedback:

Improving your communication skills can have a profound impact on your life. By implementing the 7 Cs of Effective Communication, you can become a more skilled and effective communicator in any situation.

It’s not about being a master or impressing others with your words but rather about connecting with people and making your message truly understood.

Improving your communication skills takes practice and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Whether it’s in your personal relationships, professional endeavors, or everyday interactions, effective communication is the key to understanding and being understood.

So, why not start today?

If you are looking for a comprehensive platform to enhance your communication skills, I encourage you to check out BBR English.

Our 1:1 live sessions with a personal mentor are designed to help you improve your verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a supportive, personalized environment. You’ll discover proven techniques to gain your confidence to communicate effectively in any situation.

Don’t wait any longer!

Many individuals took their first step with us and transformed their communication skills with BBR English.

Check out how BBR English helped a law student upgrade her Communication Skills.

Book your counseling session now and take the first step towards becoming an effective communicator.

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Practical Explanation of 7Cs of Communication with Examples

“Communication works for those who work at it” John Powell

In every sphere of life ranging from personal relationships to highly complex strategic business planning, communication will always be more significant than we will ever know. Whenever we communicate with someone, we have an intended purpose behind it that we seek to fulfill via communication. In simpler words, all kinds of communication written or verbal have specific objectives. We want the recipient to clearly understand our message with no room for any misconceptions or misinterpretations.

Introduction

Correctness

Completeness, concreteness, consideration.

Otherwise, we may have to convey the same message over and over again and the outcome will be negatively affected. In fact, all of us have first-hand experiences of how miscommunication and communication gaps can affect our lives drastically. Quite relatable, isn’t it? Having said that, we need to ensure that we are always communicating in an effective manner to establish utmost understanding or call to action. We need to embrace effective communication both in our personal and professional lives to drive positive outcomes.

The real question is, what does it take to communicate in a decisive and conclusive manner? What are the dimensions of efficient communication? Is there a checklist we need to be looking at while communicating? Yes, there surely is and this checklist is referred to as the 7Cs of communication. This article analyzes each of these 7 components of communication in detail for lucid understanding so that you can enhance your communication skills in an amazing way. So, let us get underway without any further delay and know exactly what are the 7Cs of communication with example.

7 Cs of Communication: All that you need to know

Listed below are the 7 most crucial traits of effective communication that hold the key to being a charismatic communicator who can lead the way for others. Let’s unwrap the 7Cs of effective communication one by one.

This dimension of communication is self-explanatory to a great extent, isn’t it? When you communicate a message to others whether in writing or verbally, the message must carry maximal clarity. To explain, the recipient must be clearly able to understand what you are trying to convey to them.

Unless there is utmost clarity, the recipient’s understanding will remain overshadowed by confusion. Further, these misunderstandings can lead to strains in personal relationships, ineffective business decisions, delays in planning or taking the right action. Having said that, you need to ensure that your message contains the greatest amount of clarity in terms of purpose, information, and what you expect from the recipient.

Example depicting the importance of clarity in communication: Let’s say the change leaders in an organization want to integrate automation into the operational capabilities of the company. Now, to get stakeholders involved in change management, they will need to clearly communicate the vision to employees. Here, it is important that they clearly explain to employees that automation is meant to boost employee productivity and not to replace employees. If this message is not clearly communicated, it will lead to large disengagement among employees and fears of job loss.

The second key trait of effective communication is correctness. As the term implies, the message should be conveyed to the recipient inclusive of the correct details and information. Besides, for optimized correctness, as a communicator, you also need to use the appropriate language while communicating your message. Also, it is such a key thing to communicate the right thing at the right time. Hence, it is also essential to remember that correct communication also ought to be well-timed.

Furthermore, it is also noteworthy that when you communicate correctly, your confidence and motivation get a great boost. You feel more accomplished as a communicator when you have the knack for driving a high degree of correctness in your communications.

Example depicting the importance of correctness in communication: Let’s say a student from China is applying to a Master’s program in the US for which the student needs to submit an SOP to the admission committee of a US university. SOP (Statement of Purpose) is the communication of a student’s personality and exposure to the admissions committee in the form of an essay usually. Now, the information that the student is adding to the SOP with respect to skills, internship experiences, and educational background has to be completely correct. Otherwise, the members of the admission committee would not clearly understand how the students’ skills and experiences are aligned with the course that he or she is applying for. Similarly, for every communication written or verbal, being correct is vital.

To be fair, in this highly competitive world, people do not have the time to engage in recurring conversations on the same topic. Thus, you need to ensure that your message contains all the relevant information, details, facts, and figures at once. Needless to say, when messages are communicated in entirety such that they include all the necessary information, they lead to quick decisions, brisk resolution of problems, and positive communication.

On the contrary, communications lacking the prerequisite details will lead to unprecedented delays in actions. So, in your personal as well as professional lives, you should always aim for framing and communicating complete messages with no loopholes.

Example depicting the importance of completeness in communication: Let’s say an analyst at a top MNC is tasked with conducting a PESTLE Analysis for the company to identify key external factors affecting its customer acquisition efforts. A week later, the analyst presents the documented PESTLE analysis to the top management. However, the analysis is not complete as it does not include the industry growth rates, inflation rates, emerging disruptive technologies, and other key details. Hence, the analysis does not offer any decisive insights to the top management as a lot of relevant information is missing.

Communications seem so much more impressive when facts and key details are established firmly with no scope of subjective interpretation. You would any day be more attracted to a communicator who puts forth concrete details rather than the one whose communication has loose ends, isn’t it?

So, the bottom line is that communication ought to be concrete with no room for misunderstandings. Understanding would by default be much greater when facts and figures speak for themselves. Concrete communications appeal more to the recipients and they are impressed by firm arguments. This is something you should surely acknowledge to be a great communicator. The better you align to the 7C’s of communication, the greater the success.

Example depicting the importance of concreteness in communication: Let’s say a management student has to work on a SWOT Analysis assignment. The task of the student is to conduct the SWOT analysis of Hewlett-Packard. Now, to present the analysis in the best possible form, the student should back the findings of the analysis with compelling figures and facts. The student should go through the annual statements of Hewlett-Packard to assess the financial position, the number of employees, and the supplier network of the company. These are the key internal factors that can be looked at as a brand’s strengths. Similarly, to assess the opportunities and threats, the student should look to include key industry trends, customer behavior trends, and statistics to back the arguments. In this way, through the analysis, the student can communicate concrete conclusions to the professor.

The next important thing about effective communication is that messages need to be straightforward, concise, and to the point. Long conversations have become a luxury in contemporary times when people are running against time. People hence subscribe to precise and concise conversations that highlight only the key details. In fact, you can also look at it from the viewpoint of Pareto’s 80-20 Rule . 20 percent of details in every conversation will ultimately account for more than 80 percent of the impact on the recipient.

When you keep it concise, it becomes easier for the recipient to understand the key details of the message. Also, you need to be considerate of the average attention span that humans have. The attention of recipients will be much higher in straightforward conversations while in long conversations elaborating on unnecessary details, the actual message is likely to be lost.

Example depicting the importance of being concise in communication: When you appear for an interview, recruiters are looking for precise details regarding your core competencies and traits. If you rather start elaborating on skills that are not relevant to the position you are applying for, you are not providing the concise information the recruiters are looking for. It is quite possible that by doing so, you can create disinterest among recruiters and that can even cost you the opportunity.

Effective communication is also a lot synonymous with taking the recipients’ perspectives and viewpoints into consideration. The central idea is to make conversation engaging to optimize their impact and to keep the recipients interested. For that, you have to ensure that communication is two-way and you encourage your audience to share their opinions.

Further, when they express their perspectives, you need to show consideration for their mindsets, cultural backgrounds, and preferences. You may or may not agree with them but you can surely be considerate enough.

Example depicting the importance of consideration in communication: Let’s say an employer wants to bring the problem of high client attrition rates to the attention of employees. Rather than just stating the issue and asking the employees to boost efforts, the employer should rather have an inclusive approach and discuss the issue with employees. The employer should consider what employees have to say about the reasons for high client attrition and the possible solutions. In this way, an inclusive conversation can lead to better-informed decisions taking different perspectives into consideration for efficient strategic planning .

The seventh dimension in the 7Cs of communication is that of courtesy. It simply states that communicators need to be courteous toward the feelings and emotions of the recipients that further inspire their viewpoints and thought processes. To add, as a communicator, you should show great respect for your audience and their opinions. When you do so, communications come out to be highly positive and inspire optimism among recipients.

Now you may feel that courtesy can only be expressed in verbal communications as feelings are not really evident in written communications. However, that is not entirely true. Even in written communications, you can rely on the appropriate choice of words and a respectful tone to manifest courtesy.

Example depicting the importance of courtesy in communication: It happens so often that we find ourselves at odds with our parents because of generational differences. What may seem a right choice to us may seem a rather risky decision to them. When we have to convey our choices to them, we need to extend great respect to their feelings and opinions. This is what will encourage them to pay heed to our choices and perspective and offer respect to them in lieu of the respect that we extend. In this way, we can make ourselves better understood to them without offending them or deteriorating the relationship. Makes great sense, isn’t it?

To conclude, communication skills are among the most desirable and worthiest interpersonal skills in this era that depends a lot on knowledge and information sharing. If you can excel as an effective communicator, you will always be able to hold on to a competitive advantage over others when it comes to your career. Besides, even in the context of your personal relationships, being a good communicator will also help you in holding on to your loved ones. For such efficacy in communications, all that you need to do is rely on the 7C’s of communication.

Can the 7Cs of Communication be useful in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings?

Yes, by ensuring clarity, correctness, and completeness, the 7Cs can help in resolving misunderstandings and reducing conflicts.

Can the 7Cs of Communication be used to enhance written communication?

Yes, the 7C principles can improve written communication by making it clear, concise, and coherent, ensuring the message effectively conveys the intended information.

The 7 Cs of Communication

Last updated on 4th May 2023

In this article

Communication is fundamental to the human condition: social, personal and business. Statistics on communication show just how important effective communication is. The world has changed hugely in the last few years, and since the Covid-19 pandemic swept the planet, less and less of our communication has been face to face. In the workplace, 65% of businesses communicate primarily with clients using email and just over one-quarter of businesses provide a smartphone for their workers.

Regardless of a person’s position or career, good communication is essential at work and knowing how to communicate effectively makes for a solid foundation to become a leader. With this in mind, the 7 Cs of communication are a framework to follow for effective communication.

What are the 7 Cs of communication?

When people seek to improve their communication skills to become more effective, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This is when the 7 Cs of communication can come in. This is a framework to help people focus on the different aspects of communication.

The 7 Cs are:

Let’s look at each word in more detail:

Being concise when communicating means keeping to the point and not going off on a tangent or including things that aren’t necessary at that time. A brief message that’s well-delivered will have a more pronounced impact on the audience and will be more memorable too.

Though it can be tempting to add lots of different threads of information, the more that’s included, the harder it can be for the audience to follow what you’re saying and remember your key points.

Keeping the language simple rather than complex is also helpful when you’re delivering a message to a non-specialist in your field.

Here are some more ideas on how to be concise when communicating:

1. Include relevant information and key details only. 2. Don’t repeat yourself. 3. Check you’re not using unnecessary words like ‘basically’, ‘obviously’, ‘definitely’ and ‘for instance’. 4. Ensure the message is easy to understand and clear.

Complete communication means that you convey the entire message and that your listeners understand what you are saying. If there is a chance of misinterpretation or misunderstanding, you should always aim to be complete even if it means you’re not as concise. Nonetheless, only communicate necessary information while making sure you express yourself fully.

It might mean you need to determine the information that can be omitted. If possible, ask a family member or friend to listen to what you’re going to say so that they can provide feedback on your message. You can follow up with questions about which sections could do with tweaking.

If you realise they haven’t understood vital details, it is probable that you’re not being complete enough.

Here are some extra tips about being complete when communicating:

1. Be precise when giving information like dates, times, locations and names of places and people. 2. Ensure you provide accurate information. 3. Include instructions that are clear if you’re requesting something from your listeners.

Builders using the 7 Cs of communication

You can achieve a coherent message by structuring your presentation to suit your audience. You should organise your key messages so that everything flows naturally. When you’re able to point out your thoughts in a sequence that tells your story, your audience will be able to follow along and remember what you said.

In an ideal world, you would start with a statement to introduce your topic and then build on this towards a final conclusion. Making a speech should be approached in the same way as an essay. You should adjust the vocabulary you use depending on the people in your audience. If, for example, you’re delivering a presentation to an audience who works in the sports industry, you might choose to use sports terminology, anecdotes or metaphors.

Here are some more tips on how to be coherent in your communication:

1. Tell a story. 2. Describe things in chronological order. 3. Introduce follow-up tasks in the order of importance.

Preparing to deliver a clear message means you won’t use confusing vocabulary, terminology that’s highly specialised, or phrases that are too long. Ensure you use accessible language for all if you’re addressing your speech to people who are of different backgrounds, ages, places and levels of education.

If you are delivering a presentation to a non-specialist audience, you should aim to use simpler words and avoid professional terminology where possible. If it’s not possible to avoid highly specialised words, you should explain what they mean.

Here are some more tips on how to be clear:

1. Speak using the present tense. 2. Communicate important facts via presentation or email. 3. Communicate any emotions on the phone or in person.

Sometimes you’ll see lists of the 7Cs with ‘courteous’ being ‘consideration’. Essentially, they’re the same thing.

Being courteous means being respectful in your communication. When speaking with co-workers, for example, you should use a conversational tone and show appreciation with regard to their attention and time.

Whenever you’re speaking to others, you should always consider them and their needs. You can also ask questions to make sure you fully understand them and their needs.

When you’re doing a presentation, ensure that your message is always positive so that you can inspire interest. In this way, your audience will be more interested in you and what you’re saying. Using a conversational tone will encourage active listening too. What’s more, adding in professional terminology and choosing your words carefully will show your audience that you are a specialist in the topic. This might be important when you’re wanting to build up a level of trust. If appropriate, use relatable stories and humour to keep the audience engaged.

Here are some more tips on how to be courteous when communicating:

1. Talk in a friendly, open and honest way. 2. Use eye contact to acknowledge your listeners. 3. Use visual content to back up your speech. 4. Listen to and engage with feedback and audience opinions.

Being concrete means that you are communicating in a specific and focused way to include all of the important details and facts. You need to ensure your whole audience grasps your message.

To have a delivery that’s more concrete, you should use specific words. For example, using the word ‘sprint’ might be more appropriate (and concrete) than ‘run fast’. When you’re more specific and direct with the words you use, your delivery will be more effective.

Here are some more tips on being concrete:

1. Use statistics to support and back up what you’re saying. 2. Provide clear guidelines for when you expect action. 3. Research the topic thoroughly and only include information that’s relevant to what you’re saying.

When talking about being correct, we mean both being factually accurate and grammatically correct. Ensuring these two aspects are true can mean that your audience understands the message you’re trying to communicate.

If you are communicating via the written word, have somebody check and proofread what you’ve written. For a presentation or speech, get someone to listen to it – especially if they have experience in good communication skills.

When you’re trying to proofread your own work, it can be tricky. It’s best to wait a day or so and look at it with fresh eyes. Reading it aloud can also help you spot errors too. Finally, you can use the free Grammarly tool or Microsoft Word’s Editor tool to find and correct typos.

Here are some more tips on ensuring correct communication:

1. Use a spell checker or a grammar checker – but don’t rely on these for finding every mistake. 2. Check that titles and names of people are correct so as not to upset or offend anyone. 3. Be sure to check that any technical terms you use are suitable for the intended audience.

What is the purpose of the 7 Cs of communication

The purpose of the 7Cs is to provide a simple framework for people to follow when they’re wanting to improve or maintain good communication skills. Having seven words beginning with the same letter makes the concepts much easier to remember.

What are the benefits of the 7 Cs of communication?

For businesses, there are huge benefits to introducing the 7Cs of communication to your team.

Here are some of the main upsides:

1. They optimise your reputation

An organisation builds its reputation on effective communication. These 7Cs are important things a company can do when they’re looking to optimise their reputation.

2. It is a cost-effective way of communicating

When you employ the 7Cs, you’re using a cost-effective way of communicating. This is because there is no key information lost and, therefore, no extra costs due to having to send further details or messages.

3. Communication becomes persuasive and informative

When you communicate following the 7Cs principles, no additional information is needed and all of the receiver’s questions are answered through the main communication.

4. Improves the interaction between senders and receivers

The audience will benefit from having complete communication as they won’t have unanswered questions. Everything will be sent through the first communication, saving time and money.

5. Communication becomes result-driven

Avoiding superfluous words means the core message is emphasised. Listeners get their message in a brief and concise way.

6. It builds trust

When communication is effective, trust is built up. Being able to listen and take on different ideas will help other people trust that your decisions are the right ones. Since you’re the role model, the trust garnered will extend through the whole team.

7. It prevents and resolves problems

Effective communication following the 7 Cs plays a part in good conflict resolution as well as in the prevention of potential conflict.

8. It provides direction and clarity

Following the 7Cs of communication means you can deliver clear objectives and expectations. People will understand what is required and how to achieve those results.

9. Relationships are better

As well as trust building, the 7Cs improve relationships in the workplace. This means that people are more respectful of one another.

10. Engagement improves

When people feel more confident in what’s required of them thanks to effective communication, they will be more engaged with their work. According to research on engagement with employees, only 15% are fully engaged. When you prioritise effective communication, engagement and satisfaction will increase.

11. Productivity improves When workers know their roles fully, they won’t need to ask so many questions. They’ll automatically know what the expectations are of them and can, therefore, be more productive in their work. Managers will also not need to spend as much time explaining things to their team members.

12. There are team building benefits

When communication is as good as it can be, team members can rely on one another more. There won’t just be one person carrying a whole team. There will be a division of responsibility that will encourage positive relationships and feelings between members of a team. This leads to better morale all round.

Where can the 7 Cs of communication be used?

When we see successful people, they’re often great communicators naturally in all aspects of their lives. Good communication skills can be learned and developed too, though.

The 7 Cs of communication are good for all aspects of life and work. Whether you’re delivering a speech to a large audience or talking to your neighbours about getting new fences, using the 7Cs of communication can make a huge difference.

Why are the 7 Cs of communication important?

The 7 Cs of communication are important as they can help improve interactions in the workplace. They’re known for improving interactions like work calls, meetings, presentations, written correspondence, and even the way you talk to colleagues.

No matter the industry, being able to communicate effectively with one another can help when you need to work on projects, deal with stakeholders, arrange services, and complete sales.

Being an effective communicator is valuable in a workplace environment and improving the way to talk and communicate with others is essential for leadership roles. When you’re a leader or a manager, you will need to understand how to communicate well and provide appropriate feedback to colleagues in a way that’s going to motivate them and enthuse them into being efficient and productive.

Final thoughts on the 7 Cs of communication

The most important takeaway about the 7 Cs of communication is that they’re necessary for success. Communication happens every day but when the 7Cs of communication are employed, communication is more effective and credible.

As such, making sure your communication is engaging and efficient by using the 7Cs is crucial.

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About the author

Louise Woffindin

Louise is a writer and translator from Sheffield. Before turning to writing, she worked as a secondary school language teacher. Outside of work, she is a keen runner and also enjoys reading and walking her dog Chaos.

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7 Cs Of Communication

The 7Cs of communication is a set of guiding principles on effective communication skills in business , moving around seven principles for effective business communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous.

Table of Contents

Understanding the 7 Cs of communication

Effective communication in business occurs when one party receives a message in a way that it was intended to be heard. But with corporate employees spending up to 30% of work time responding to email alone, communication must be also productive, efficient, and engaging.

To that end, the 7Cs of communication were developed to improve both written and oral communication.

Following is a look at each principle.

Clear . Communication must be clear in the sense that the recipient does not have to seek further clarification on what was said. Here, it’s best to keep things simple. Avoid complex words and do not assume that the recipient has every detail of the story in front of them.
Concise . Brevity is important because it saves time. Avoid using five sentences to communicate something that could be explained in two. Ultimately, conciseness is a balancing act. Employees must get their point across quickly without omitting important details.
Concrete . Concrete communication is specific and logical. Facts must support each other and the premise of the communication itself. Where appropriate, facts in the form of data should also support arguments.
Correct . Ensure that all communication is free of typing and spelling errors. Avoid over-reliance on spell checking tools because they do not catch subtle variations in grammar or word usage. If using technical terms, ensure that the recipient has an adequate grasp of the subject matter.
Complete . Does communication have the required information for the recipient to take action? Indeed, is there a call to action included in the closing remarks?
Coherent . Sentences should flow harmoniously and most importantly, be on topic. Avoid mentioning distracting topics that could easily be addressed in subsequent communication.
Courteous . Manners and politeness go a long way, particularly in high-stress environments common to many businesses. Avoid coming across as demanding or brusque. Instead, opt to communicate with a friendly, professional, respectful, and considerate tone.

Extensions to the 7 Cs of communication

While the original framework is more than sufficient for effective communication, some extensions do exist.

The first is credibility. In other words, does the communication enhance or showcase the credibility of the communicator? This is particularly important for businesses giving presentations or in other scenarios where a business is less acquainted with an interested party.

The second extension is creativity. Creative communication increases engagement and again, can enhance the credibility of a business presenting to an audience.

When to Use the 7 Cs of Communication:

The 7 Cs of Communication can be applied in various communication scenarios:

Written Communication: Use the 7 Cs when composing emails, reports, memos, or any written documents.
Oral Communication: Apply the principles during presentations, speeches, meetings, and conversations.
Advertising and Marketing: Craft advertisements, marketing messages, and promotional materials that adhere to the 7 Cs for maximum impact.
Customer Service: Provide clear and courteous responses to customer inquiries or issues.
Educational Materials: When creating educational content, ensure that it is clear, concise, and complete to facilitate learning.

How to Use the 7 Cs of Communication:

To effectively use the 7 Cs of Communication, follow these guidelines:

Clarity: Use straightforward and unambiguous language. Organize your message logically, and avoid unnecessary complexity.
Conciseness: Get to the point quickly. Eliminate redundant information or irrelevant details that may distract from the main message.
Concreteness: Provide specific examples, data, and evidence to support your message. Avoid vague statements .
Correctness: Proofread and edit your communication to eliminate errors. Use proper grammar and spelling.
Consideration: Think about the needs, concerns, and perspectives of your audience. Tailor your message to address their interests and questions.
Completeness: Ensure that your message contains all the necessary information. Anticipate potential questions or areas of confusion and address them proactively.
Courtesy: Maintain a polite and respectful tone in your communication. Avoid offensive language or tone that may alienate your audience.

Drawbacks and Limitations of the 7 Cs of Communication:

While the 7 Cs of Communication are valuable, they have certain drawbacks and limitations:

Overemphasis on Perfection: Striving for perfection in all seven Cs can be time-consuming and may not always be necessary for every communication.
Audience Variability: Different audiences may have varying expectations and preferences regarding clarity, conciseness, and tone.
Complex Topics: Some topics may require a more in-depth and complex discussion, which may challenge the principle of conciseness.
Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural differences can affect perceptions of courtesy and correctness, making it important to adapt communication to diverse audiences.
Overloading Information: Attempting to include all relevant information can lead to information overload for the audience.

What to Expect from Using the 7 Cs of Communication:

Using the 7 Cs of Communication can lead to several outcomes and benefits:

Clarity and Understanding: Expect your message to be clearer and more easily understood by your audience.
Improved Impact: Effective communication using the 7 Cs principles can have a more significant impact on your audience.
Reduced Miscommunication: By addressing potential sources of confusion and misunderstanding, the 7 Cs help reduce miscommunication.
Enhanced Professionalism: Correctness and courtesy contribute to a more professional image.
Audience Engagement: Considering the needs and interests of your audience can enhance their engagement and receptiveness to your message.

Relevance in Various Contexts:

The 7 Cs of Communication are relevant in various contexts, including:

Business Communication: Employ them in business emails, reports, presentations, and customer interactions.
Academic Writing: Students and researchers can use the 7 Cs to improve the clarity and effectiveness of their academic papers.
Marketing and Advertising: Marketers rely on these principles to create compelling and persuasive marketing messages.
Public Speaking: Public speakers and presenters can use the 7 Cs to engage and inform their audiences effectively.
Interpersonal Communication: In everyday conversations and interactions, applying the 7 Cs can lead to more successful and harmonious communication.

Conclusion:

The 7 Cs of Communication offer a valuable framework for crafting clear, concise, and effective messages across various communication channels and contexts. By adhering to the principles of clarity, conciseness, concreteness, correctness, consideration, completeness, and courtesy, communicators can enhance their ability to convey information, persuade, and engage their audience successfully. While recognizing the limitations and adapting to specific situations is essential, the 7 Cs remain a foundational guide for effective communication in both personal and professional settings.

Case Studies

Business proposal :.

Clear : The proposal must be clear in its description of the investment opportunity , avoiding complex jargon or assumptions. It should ensure that potential investors don’t have to seek further clarification.
Concise : The proposal should be concise, presenting key points and benefits succinctly without unnecessary verbosity. It saves time for both the sender and the recipient.
Concrete : It should provide specific data and logical arguments supporting the investment opportunity , making the proposal more convincing and grounded in facts.
Correct : The proposal must be free of errors, particularly in financial projections, ensuring that the information presented is accurate and reliable.
Complete : It should include all the necessary documentation and information that potential investors need to make an informed decision. A clear call to action for the investors should also be included.
Coherent : The proposal should have a logical flow, presenting information in a structured manner to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Courteous : A courteous and respectful tone should be maintained throughout the proposal to create a positive impression and build rapport with potential investors.

Tech Support Chat :

Clear : The tech support chat should provide clear instructions for troubleshooting issues, ensuring that users can understand and follow the steps without confusion.
Concise : Explanations and responses should be concise to save time for both the user and the support agent while conveying necessary information.
Concrete : The support agent should use specific and logical language to describe troubleshooting steps and provide data or examples to support their guidance.
Correct : Information provided in the chat, especially technical details, should be accurate and free of errors.
Complete : The chat should include all necessary information and instructions to help the user resolve their tech issue. If further assistance is required, the user should know how to proceed.
Coherent : The conversation should flow logically, with responses addressing the user’s questions or concerns in an organized manner.
Courteous : A courteous and patient tone should be maintained, even if the user is frustrated, to ensure a positive customer service experience.

Product Launch Announcement :

Clear : The announcement should provide a clear description of the new product ’s features and benefits, ensuring that customers understand what is being offered.
Concise : Information about the product ’s benefits should be presented concisely to maintain the reader’s interest and avoid overwhelming them with details.
Concrete : Specifications and data should be provided to support the claims about the product, making the announcement more convincing and credible.
Correct : Information about release dates and pricing should be accurate and error-free, as incorrect details can lead to confusion and disappointment among customers.
Complete : The announcement should include all necessary details for customers to make informed decisions, including how to order the product and any special promotions.
Coherent : The message should flow logically, presenting information in a structured manner to maintain reader engagement.
Courteous : The announcement should maintain a friendly and professional tone to create a positive impression and address potential customer inquiries courteously.

Business Email :

Clear : The email should be clear and free from ambiguity, ensuring that the recipient can easily understand the message without the need for clarification.
Concise : It should be concise, delivering the necessary information without unnecessary wordiness, saving time for both the sender and the recipient.
Concrete : The email should contain specific details and avoid vague or abstract language, making the message more precise and actionable.
Correct : It must be free of spelling and grammatical errors to maintain professionalism and credibility. Technical terms should be used accurately.
Complete : The email should include all relevant information and details, and if necessary, it should provide clear calls to action or next steps.
Coherent : The email’s content should flow logically and maintain a consistent message structure, ensuring that the recipient can follow the narrative easily.
Courteous : The tone of the email should be courteous, professional, and respectful to maintain a positive working relationship.

Project Status Update :

Clear : The status update should clearly communicate the project’s progress and any notable achievements or issues, ensuring that stakeholders understand the current state.
Concise : It should be concise, focusing on key points and highlights, avoiding lengthy explanations that might overwhelm or bore the audience.
Concrete : Specific data, metrics, and evidence should be provided to support the reported progress, making the update more credible.
Correct : The update should be free from errors, especially in terms of timelines and milestones, to maintain trust and reliability.
Complete : It should include all necessary information, such as upcoming tasks or action items for stakeholders, to facilitate informed decision-making.
Coherent : The update should follow a logical structure, ensuring that stakeholders can easily follow the narrative and understand the project’s direction.
Courteous : Maintaining a respectful and professional tone in the update helps foster positive relationships with project stakeholders.

Job Interview :

Clear : During the interview, candidates should provide clear and concise responses to questions, ensuring that interviewers can easily understand their qualifications and experiences.
Concise : Responses should be concise, providing relevant information without unnecessary details or rambling, respecting the interviewers’ time.
Concrete : Candidates should use specific examples and achievements to illustrate their skills and experiences, making their qualifications more tangible.
Correct : All statements made during the interview should be accurate and free of factual errors, maintaining the candidate’s credibility.
Complete : Responses should address the entirety of the interview questions, providing thorough and informative answers.
Coherent : Candidates should maintain a logical and organized narrative throughout the interview, making it easier for interviewers to follow their responses.
Courteous : Maintaining a polite and respectful demeanor during the interview contributes to a positive impression and a potential job offer.

Key takeaways:

The 7 Cs of communication provide a framework for effective and efficient business communication.
The 7 Cs of communication detail 7 guiding principles. Is the communication clear, concise, concrete, complete, correct, coherent, and courteous?
The 7 Cs of communication provide many benefits for individuals and businesses alike. Proper communication boosts credibility and engagement which builds solid relationships.

Key Highlights

The 7 Cs of communication is a set of guiding principles for effective business communication.
The principles focus on clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous communication.
Effective communication in business ensures that messages are received as intended and are productive, efficient, and engaging.
The 7 Cs aim to improve both written and oral communication by providing a comprehensive framework.
Clear : Communication should be easy to understand without the need for further clarification. Simplicity is key, avoiding complex words or assumptions.
Concise : Messages should be brief to save time while conveying the necessary information. Balancing brevity and important details is crucial.
Concrete : Communication should be specific, logical, and supported by facts, including data where applicable.
Correct : Communication must be free of errors, including typing and spelling. Technical terms should be understood by the recipient.
Complete : Communication should provide all necessary information for the recipient to take action, including a clear call to action.
Coherent : Communication should have a logical flow, sticking to the main topic and avoiding distractions.
Courteous : Manners and politeness are important, especially in high-stress environments. Professional, friendly, and respectful tones should be used.
Credibility : Communication should enhance the credibility of the communicator, especially in scenarios like presentations.
Creativity : Creative communication increases engagement and can also enhance credibility in presentations.
The 7 Cs of communication offer a comprehensive framework for effective business communication.
Following the principles ensures that communication is clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous.
Effective communication has numerous benefits, including enhanced credibility, engagement, and relationship-building.

Read Next: Lasswell Communication Model , Linear Model Of Communication .

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The 7Cs of communication: Fast, effective ways to speak like a pro

Stage fright, fear of public speaking, presentation anxiety — most of us freeze when all eyes and ears are on us. In fact, it’s said three out of four people have a phobia of talking in public.

It’s the no. 1 fear, with death coming in second. Wouldn’t it be great if there’s a step-by-step guide to help us become more skilled, clear and effective speakers?

Enter the 7Cs of communication.

Being clear in your speech ensures you won’t be left in silence when making a joke. Source: AFP

What are the 7Cs of communication and why are they important in your work?

It’s a list of principles you can follow to make sure you’re communicating effectively. Your message doesn’t get lost.

Instead, it’s heard, understood and impactful — even when you’re conveying some of the hardest things to say, like breaking up or laying off someone.

And if you’re aiming for that promotion or pay bump, the 7Cs of communication becomes even more important.

Senior roles often require someone who can communicate the needs, expectations and insights of teams.

Perhaps most importantly, it helps you build stronger relationships. Imagine asking for a favour for a colleague to help you out while you deal with a family emergency.

You’ll need to show respect and empathy as you tell them they need to work an extra two hours to cover for you. It’s an art — and while there’s no 100% guarantee it’ll work, the 7Cs of communication can make your interactions more positive and productive.

The 7Cs of communication ensure that your message is understood by your audience. Source: AFP

Who invented the 7Cs of communication?

Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center are credited as the minds behind the 7Cs of Communication. In 1952, they co-wrote the first edition of “ Effective Public R elations ”

Cutlip was a pioneer in public relations education and began his career in 1941 with the West Virginia State Road Commission. He then pursued his master’s at the University of Wisconsin, where he continued to study journalism and political science. After graduating, he joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, where he taught news editing and introduced the study of public relations.

Center, on the other hand, began his media career during World War when he edited the daily newspaper for the 13th Air Force Fighter Command Headquarters. After the war, he went on to join companies like Parker Pen, Motorola and Leo Burnett. Once he retired, he decided to take on a part-time professor role at San Diego State University.

The 7Cs of communication to become a good speaker and writer

Ensuring your speech is clear will help your audience avoid any confusion. Source: AFP

The first “C” in the 7Cs of communication is being “clear.” When you’re clear, it means that your audience easily understands your message, leaving no room for confusion or misinterpretation.

When writing a research paper and your thesis statement is vague and unclear, this will lead to the reader having trouble grasping the core of your argument.

Being clear is also important for speaking. When you give a presentation, being clear means organising your ideas logically and expressing them in a straightforward manner.

Instead of rambling or using complex words, you deliver your message in a way that people can easily understand. Be clear about the goal of your message and the purpose of the message.

Compare the two sentences below:

“Today I would like to launch the new iPhone 15 which has computational photography, A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU, custom dual ion-exchange process for the glass, and an aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure.”
“Today I’m launching the new iPhone that takes super-high resolution photos, has smooth performance, lasts long and will never crack under pressure.”

Marcus Ryu, the C.E.O. of Guidewire Software has another tip: think of your audience as really dumb people.

“I’ve come to realise that no matter how smart the people are you’re communicating to, the more of them there are, the dumber the collective gets,” Ryu told The New York Times.

“And so you could have a room full of Einsteins, but if there are 200 or 300 of them, then you still have to talk to them like they’re just average people. As the audience gets bigger and bigger, your message has to get simpler and simpler, and the bullet-point list has to be shorter and shorter.”

2. Concise

The second on the list of the 7Cs of communication is “Concise.”

This means conveying your message using as few words as possible without excluding the essential information.

Imagine you’re writing an essay for a class assignment, and you use long sentences. This can make your writing difficult to follow, and the reader might lose track of your main point.

However, if you practise conciseness by expressing your ideas in as few words as possible, your writing becomes more focused and impactful, improving the overall quality of your work.

When speaking, being concise means getting to the point quickly.

When writing or speaking, ask yourself:

Are there any adjectives or “ filler words ” that you can delete? You can often remove words such as “for instance,” “you see,” “definitely,” “kind of,” “literally,” “basically,” or “I mean.”

Concreteness is an aspect of communication that means being specific, definite, and vivid rather than vague and general. Source: AFP

3. Concrete

The third on this list of 7Cs of communication is “Concrete.” Now this takes a bit of visualising.

Imagine a block of stone and how it feels against your hands. It feels solid.

To make your communication concrete, you have to make your sentences solid. It’s not airy or sloppy.

For example, when you’re setting up a meeting, you’re not saying “It would be great, but we’re totally fluid on this, that we meet around 5ish or 6ish? Maybe some of us can book one of the rooms on the top floors?”

Anyone listening to that does not know the exact time, place and reason for the meeting — and you’ll likely have no one turning up.

Try saying “Let’s meet at 5pm at Meeting Room A on Level 6 to discuss budgets.”

It’s essential that both the factual information and the language and grammar you use are correct. Source: AFP

4. Correct

If you want to become a good speaker and writer, being “correct” is one of the essential 7Cs of communication you should adopt.

And that means being correct in the factual information and the language and grammar you use.

When writing an email or a research paper, neglecting correctness and making grammatical mistakes or spelling errors could undermine your credibility and the quality of your research.

But when your writing is correct, it shows your commitment to academic excellence, ensuring that your message is delivered without mistakes.

Install Grammarly and other writing extensions on GDoc — these are great for spotting grammar and spelling mistakes, even on the free versions
Always cross-check facts and figures with a few sites. Government sites are mostly reliable, as are top news organisations like The Guardian, The New York Times and The Economist.

5. Coherent

The fifth of the 7 Cs of communication is being “coherent.” If your writing or speech is not coherent, it will not be effective.

When your communication is coherent, it’s logical. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text are consistent.

When your ideas flow smoothly and logically, it means your writing and communication are coherent. Imagine you’re writing an essay for an assignment, and your paragraphs jump from one topic to another without any clear connection. That’s incoherent.

Practising coherence can also improve your speech. During a presentation, it means structuring your speech so that your points transition naturally from one to the next.

For example, when presenting at work, you start by clearly stating the goals and then outlining the steps to achieve them one by one. This could sound like, “Let’s begin by discussing our project’s objectives. First, we aim to increase customer engagement by 20% in the next quarter.”

It is important to use clear language and organise your information logically, making it easy for everyone to follow. Each point flows naturally into the next, creating a cohesive and easy-to-understand presentation.

You could break it down as such: “To ensure clarity, let’s break down our timeline into phases. Phase one involves market research and competitor analysis, followed by the development of our campaign in phase two.”

This will help your team stay on track and ensure everyone understands what is going on.

Following the 7Cs of communication means people will understand what you are saying as your message is clear, concise, and effective. Source: AFP

6. Complete

The sixth “C” in the 7Cs of communication is “complete”. When your communication is “complete,” it shows that your message includes all the necessary information and context.

Imagine you’re writing a lab report for a science class, and you forget to include the methodology or the results section. Your lecturer may struggle to understand your experiment’s process and outcomes.

However, when your communication is complete, you ensure that your writing covers all the essential components, allowing your audience to understand your work fully.

When delivering a message, it’s important to give your audience all of the information they need to follow your line of reasoning and understand where you are coming from.

This is as simple as asking if your audience understands you and if they have any questions.

Complete communication is about leaving no questions unanswered and ensuring that your audience understands your message comprehensively and takes action if needed.

7. Courteous

“Courteous” is a crucial component in the 7Cs of communication.

To increase the effectiveness of your communication, you could try being “courteous”. Your message should be friendly, professional, considerate, respectful, open and honest.

There are no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. When speaking or writing, you should think about your message from the recipient’s point of view.

Here are some examples:

“I don’t have time to listen to your ideas. We’re going to do it my way.” vs “I appreciate your input. Let’s discuss your ideas and see if we can find a solution that works for everyone.”
“Why can’t you ever meet deadlines? You’re so slow.” vs “I noticed we’ve had some challenges with meeting deadlines. How can we work together to improve our efficiency?”
“Someone left a mess in the pantry. It’s so annoying.” vs “I noticed there’s a bit of a mess in the pantry. Would you mind cleaning it up when you get the chance? Thanks for your help!”

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4 The 7 Cs of Professional Writing Style

The 7Cs are simply seven words that begin with C that characterize a strong professional writing style. Applying the 7Cs of professional communication will result in writing that is:

CLEAR writing involves knowing what you want to say before you say it because often a lack of claritycomes from unclear thinking or poor planning; this, unfortunately, leads to confused or annoyed readers. Clear writing conveys the purpose of the document immediately to the reader; it matches vocabulary to the audience, avoiding jargon and unnecessary technical or obscure language while at the same time being precise. In clarifying your ideas, ensure that each sentence conveys one idea, and that each paragraph thoroughly develops one unified concept.

COHERENT writing ensures that the reader can easily follow your ideas and your train of thought. One idea should lead logically into the next through the use of transitional words and phrases, structural markers, planned repetition, sentences with clear subjects, headings that are clear, and effective and parallel lists. Writing that lacks coherence often sounds “choppy” and ideas seem disconnected or incomplete. Coherently connecting ideas is like building bridges between islands of thought so the reader can easily move from one idea to the next.

CONCISE writing uses the least words possible to convey the most meaning while still maintaining clarity. Avoid unnecessary padding, awkward phrasing, overuse of “to be” forms ( is, are, was, were, am, be, being ), long preposition strings, vagueness, unnecessary repetition and redundancy. Use active verbs whenever possible, and take the time to choose a single word rather than a long phrase or cliched expression. Think of your word count like a budget; be cost effective by making sure every word you choose does effective work for you.

CONCRETE writing involves using specific, precise language to paint a picture for your readers so that they can more easily understand your ideas. If you have to explain an abstract concept or idea, try to use examples, analogies, and precise language to illustrate it. Use measurable descriptors whenever possible; avoid vague terms like “big” or “good.” Try to get your readers to “see” your ideas by using specific terms and descriptions.

CORRECT writing uses standard English punctuation, sentence structure, usage, and grammar. Being correct also means that you provide accurate information as well as using the right document type and form for the task.

COMPLETE writing includes all requested information and answers all relevant questions. The more concrete and specific you are, the more likely your document will be complete as well. Review your checklist of specifications before submitting your document to its intended reader.

COURTEOUS writing entails designing a reader-friendly, easy-to-read document; using tactful language and appropriate modes of addressing the audience; and avoiding potentially offensive terminology, usage, and tone. Writing courteously so that your reader feels respected is fundamental to reader-friendly messages. Whether you are simply sharing information, explaining a procedure, or describing an incident, using courteous language helps ensure your reader will be receptive to that information. The cornerstone of polite language is obviously saying “please” and “thank you,” but there is much more to politeness and respect than just that. Much of courtesy in writing involves using inclusive language (and avoiding discriminatory language, sometimes referred to as “bias”) and choosing words that focus on the positive, on improvement, and on what can be done rather than using words that seem negative, critical, or pushy and seem to emphasize what can’t be done.

In some cases, some of these might come into conflict. What if being too concise results in a tone that sounds gruff or an idea that seems incomplete? Figure 2 illustrates one method of putting all the seven “C”s together.

Figure 2 Putting the 7Cs together, created by Alyssa Zicari and Jenna Hildemann

Be mindful of the tradeoffs and always give priority to being clear : writing that lacks clarity cannot be understood and therefore cannot achieve its purpose. Writing that adheres to the seven “C”s helps to establish your credibility as a professional writer.

How To Prioritize the Seven Cs

Clear: Plan ahead! Know your purpose and convey your ideas in a unified manner.
Coherent: Organize your thoughts in a logical, structured progression.
Concise: Budget your words wisely; ensure your writing contains only what’s necessary.
Concrete: Use specific and precise language; use measurable descriptors and avoid vague language.
Correct: Adhere to proper grammar, punctuation, and document structure.
Complete: Give all the important information and answer all relevant questions.
Courteous: Format so that the document is easy to read. Use appropriate and tactful language.

A Note About Tone

The subject of tone often comes up as we are learning in this class. An important point to add here is that different documents and different audiences will require writers to employ different tone in their writing. This also means writing in different voices, such as the first person or third person.

In the first person voice, the document is written from the voice of the author, using “I” and “me” pronouns in the writing. For example, in this textbook, I have liberally used the first person at times to better engage you (that’s the second person) and draw you into the learning experience.

However, in many professional documents, only the third person is used; that’s when the voice of the document never uses “I” or “me” or “you” or other first and second person pronouns. Instead, this author would refer even to themself using third person pronouns, with the same treatment to the reader (as can be seen in this paragraph).

Generally, letters are written in the first and second person, while reports are in the third person. Memos have some flexibility, but are best in the third person.

Other tone considerations have to do with emotional connection. Is the reader somebody you want to show affection or seriousness? Is the topic casual or important? Is the text offering praise or criticism? Does the document have a sense of urgency? Is the document giving instructions or asking permission? Considerations such as these will help a writer determine the tone they need to set in their document.

As you think about tone, it will be important to recall the nine axioms and communication as a form of transmission as well. All of these foundational aspects of communication will help you succeed.

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The 7 Cs of Communication

Video transcript.

Learn how to use the 7 Cs to communicate more effectively.

Welcome to Mind Tools' video learning series.

Whether it's writing an email, sending a report, chairing a meeting, or giving a presentation , most of your working day will likely be spent communicating.

So, one of the best ways to boost your productivity is to communicate in the clearest, most effective way possible.

A great tool for this is the 7 Cs of Communication – a seven-point checklist for delivering engaging and effective messages.

The first of the seven Cs is to be clear .

Ask yourself, "What's the purpose of your message?" If you're not sure, the person you're communicating with won't be either.

Make your key messages stand out. Do this by minimizing the number of ideas you talk about in each sentence. One is ideal. You don't want people to have to "read between the lines," as this could lead to misunderstandings .

Second, be concise . Keep it brief, avoid repetition, and delete unnecessary adjectives and "filler words," like "kind of" or "basically."

Third, when your message is concrete , your audience will have a clear picture of what you're telling them.

Detail is important, but not too much. Try to include some "standout" facts, and make sure you have a laser-sharp focus on your key message.

Next, be correct . Double-check for mistakes. When your communications are error-free, they'll look professional and polished.

When something's coherent , it's logical. It means that you've connected all of your points and made them relevant to the key topic. This will also help to keep the tone and flow of your message consistent.

The sixth point on the checklist is complete .

Supply your audience with all the information that it will need to make an informed decision or take action.

If, for instance, you're sending a reminder about a meeting, be specific. Include details of the location, time and purpose. And, ask people to respond!

Lastly, be courteous . This means having a friendly, open, and honest tone, and avoiding hidden insults or a passive-aggressive tone.

Always keep your audience's viewpoint in mind, and show that you empathize and understand its needs.

For further examples of how you can apply the 7 Cs to your communications, read the article that accompanies this video.

Terms from Cutlip, Scott M., Center, Allen H., Broom, Glen M., Effective Public Relations, 8th, 2000. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., New York, New York. [1]

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Principles of Business Communication

When your communication is clear, you are able to convey your thoughts more precisely. You will also be able to get the job done and in case of job interviews, you may also be able to land your dream job. As for every form of learning, business communication also has some principles which make your communication more effective. These are known as 7 C’s of communication.

Browse more Topics under Intro To Business Communication

Concept and Features of Communication
Importance of Communication
Requirements for Effective Written Communication
Effective Oral Communication
Telephone Etiquette
Visual Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
Guidelines to effective Business Communication
Johari Window
Barriers to Communication
Internal and External Communication

7 C’s of communication

Principles of business communication

Just imagine if you are working at a place and everyone in the place does not have proper communication skills and as a result, everyone is following their own thoughts. Will that working place be effective? No, it will not be effective, it will be a big mess. That is why is important to learn the 7 C’s of communication. Here are those:

Being concise means being able to convey your messages in shortest possible words. But this doesn’t mean that you provide the information less but articulating in such a possible way that you get to spread the message across everyone and that too in fewer words.

It is a necessity for business communication as this C does not involve the vague words and this the message is clearly sent to everyone. Because of conciseness, you save time as well as you save a lot of costs.

As this C excludes the needless and excessive words it makes the main idea or the message more understandable. For audience also this form is more convenient and appealing.

Clear or clarity is very important in business communication. Through this, you are able to emphasize a specific message or a goal at that time. In a business communication, you cannot achieve too much in one go. That is why you need to clear about your ideas.

Because of clarity, the understanding of ideas becomes easier. As the clarity is achieved for ideas and thoughts, the meaning of the words is enhanced. The message becomes more appropriate and exact.

The understanding of your audience is directly proportional to the correctness of your ideas. Because correct communication of thoughts and ideas is also an error-free form of communication. There are many ways to achieve this correctness in your sentences.

One is through a technical understanding of your thoughts and ideas. Further, the names and titles that you have mentioned should be correct. Because of correctness the confidence level of yours as well as your audience increases. It has more impact.

4. Concrete

Concreteness refers to the idea of being clear and particular. It avoids the basic fuzziness and general in your ideas and thoughts. Concreteness also adds to your confidence level.

Concreteness is supported by figures and facts thus it gives your ideas a boost. As it involves clear words only, it helps in increasing your reputation. There are little to none chances that your message is misinterpreted.

5. Complete

A message or an idea is complete when the audience has everything that they want to be informed. Also, this gives an authority to them to move to call of action.

The complete communication generally involves the call to action, which helps the readers understand what you want to imply to them. It also includes all the facts and figures in the sentences.

Due to complete communication, the reputation is enhanced for an organization. A complete communication also involves additional information whenever or wherever it is required. Thus, it leaves no room for doubt in the mind of the readers and audiences. It also helps in persuading the audience.

6. Courteous

Courtesy is the respect that we show to others and in business communication also it means the same thing. You should show respect to your reader by having courteous communication. The individual while sending the message should be polite, sincere, enthusiastic, and reflective.

Being courteous means that you have taken into consideration the feeling receiver as well as your own. It also shows that you are positive and your focus is on the audience. Courteous messages are not at all biased.

7. Coherent

The messages that you send should be logical and that is why coherent communication is important. The message involves certain ideas and thoughts and thus when they are coherent than only they are able to convey the main idea of the message. All the points that you have mentioned should be relevant to the topic and connected.

Further, the flow and tone of the communication should also be consistent. What does your message imply should be the main focus under the coherent message? When all the above 7 C’s of communication are used, then your message becomes more effective. Practice this more to improve your business communication.

Practice Questions on 7 C’s of communication

Q. Which C makes the message unbiased?

A. Clear B. Concise C. Coherent D. Courteous

Answer: D. Courteous

Q. Which C helps in persuading the audience?

A. Clear B. Concise C. Complete D. Courteous

Answer: C. Complete

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Appendix C: The Seven Cs

Polishing the report.

So far we have discussed the importance of writing with the reader in mind; of striking the right tone for your audience, message, and purpose; of writing constructively; and of writing persuasively. Now we move onto the actual writing itself. Two key characteristics of professional technical communication are that it is precise and concise. This precision and concision must be evident at all levels, from the overall document, to paragraphing, to sentence structure to word choice, and even to punctuation. Every word or phrase should have a distinct and useful purpose. If it doesn’t, cut it or revise.

The 7 Cs of Professional Writing

The 7 C’s are simply seven words that begin with C that characterize strong professional style. Applying the 7 C’s of professional communication will result in writing that is

CLEAR writing involves knowing what you want to say before you say it because often a lack of clarity comes from unclear thinking or poor planning; this, unfortunately, leads to confused or annoyed readers. Clear writing conveys the purpose of the document immediately to the reader; it matches vocabulary to the audience, avoiding jargon and unnecessary technical or obscure language while at the same time being precise. In clarifying your ideas, ensure that each sentence conveys one idea, and that each paragraph thoroughly develops one unified concept.

CORRECT writing uses standard English punctuation, sentence structure, usage, and grammar. Being correct also means providing accurate information, as well as using the right document type and form for the task.

In some cases, some of these might come into conflict: what if being too concise results in a tone that sounds terse, or an idea that seems incomplete? Figure 2.2.1 illustrates one method of putting all the 7Cs together.

Be mindful of the tradeoffs, and always give priority to being clear : writing that lacks clarity cannot be understood and therefore cannot achieve its purpose. Writing that adheres to the 7 C’s helps to establish your credibility as a technical professional.

EXERCISE 2.5 Revise for clarity

Revise the following memo so that it adheres to the 7 Cs; make it clear, coherent, concrete and concise, while also being complete, courteous and correct.

When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee’s regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee’s tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee’s absence from his previously scheduled assignment.

Sentence Variety and Length

While variety makes for interesting writing, too much of it can also reduce clarity and precision. Technical writing tends to use simple sentence structures more often than the other types. That said, simple does not necessarily mean “simplistic,” short, or lacking in density. Remember that in grammatical terms, simple just means that it has one main clause (one subject and one predicate). You can still convey quite a bit of concrete information in a simple sentence.

The other consideration for precise writing is length. Your sentences should vary in length just as they can vary in type. However, you want to avoid having too many long sentences because they take longer to read and are often more complex. That is appropriate in academic writing but less so in technical writing. The goal is to aim for an average of around 20 to 30 words per sentence. Reserve the short sentences for main points and use longer sentences for supporting points that clarify or explain cause and effect relationships. If you feel the sentence is too long, break it into two sentences. You do not want your reader to have to read a sentence twice to understand it. If you make compound or complex sentences, ensure that you use appropriate coordinating or subordinating strategies to make the relationship between clauses perfectly clear. See Appendix E to review specific information on simple, compound, and complex sentence structures.

Precise Wording

Technical writing is precise writing. Vague, overly general, hyperbolic or subjective/ambiguous terms are simply not appropriate in this genre. You do not want to choose words and phrasing that could be interpreted in more than one way. For example, if you asked someone to define what makes a “good dog,” you might get responses like “obedient, effective hunter/retriever, well-behaved, affectionate, loyal, therapeutic, goofy” and “all dogs are good!” Choose words that most precisely, concisely, and accurately convey the idea you want to convey. Below are some guidelines and examples to follow for using precise wording.

1. Replace abstract nouns with verbs.

Verbs, more than nouns, help convey ideas concisely, so where possible, avoid using nouns derived from verbs. Often these abstract nouns end in – tion and – ment . See examples in the following chart.

2. Prefer short words to long words and phrases.

The goal is to communicate directly and plainly so use short, direct words whenever possible. In other words, don’t use long words or phrases when short ones will do. Write to express , not impress.

3. Avoid clichés.

Clichés are expressions that you have probably heard and used hundreds of times. They are over-used expressions that have largely lost their meaning and impact.

4. Avoid cluttered constructions.

This category includes redundancies, repetitions, and “there is/are” and “it is” constructions.

5. Use accurate wording.

Sometimes this requires more words instead of fewer, so do not sacrifice clarity for concision. Make sure your words convey the meaning you intend. Avoid using words that have several possible meanings; do not leave room for ambiguity or alternate interpretations of your ideas. Keep in mind that readers of technical writing tend to choose literal meanings, so avoid figurative language that might be confusing (for example, using the word “decent” to describe something you like or think is good). Separate facts from opinions by using phrases like “we recommend,” “we believe,” or “in our opinion.” Use consistent terminology rather than looking for synonyms that may be less precise.

Qualify statements that need qualifying, especially if there is possibility for misinterpretation. Do not overstate through the use of absolutes and intensifiers. Avoid overusing intensifiers like “extremely,” and avoid absolutes like “never, always, all, none” as these are almost never accurate. Remember Obiwan Kenobi’s warning:

“Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” [3]

We tend to overuse qualifiers and intensifiers, so below are some that you should be aware of and consider whether you are using them effectively.

For a comprehensive list of words and phrases that should be used with caution, see Kim Blank’s “ Wordiness, Wordiness, Wordiness List .” [4]

6. Prefer the active voice.

The active voice emphasizes the person/thing doing the action in a sentence. For example, The outfielder throws the ball . The subject, “outfielder” actively performs the action of the verb “throw.” The passive voice emphasizes the recipient of the action. In other words, something is being done to something by somebody: The ball was thrown (by the outfielder). Passive constructions are generally wordier and often leave out the person/thing doing the action.

While the passive voice has a place—particularly if you want to emphasize the receiver of an action as the subject of the sentence, or the action itself, or you want to avoid using first person—its overuse results in writing that is wordy, vague, and stuffy. When possible, use the active voice to convey who or what performs the action of the verb.

Precise writing encapsulates many of the 7 C’s; it is clear, concise, concrete, and correct. But it is also accurate and active. To write precisely and apply the 7 C’s, it is important to look critically at your sentences, perhaps in a way you may not have done before. You need to consider the design of those sentences, from the words to the phrases to the clauses, to ensure that you are communicating your message effectively.

Image descriptions

Figure 2.2.1 image description:

A priority list of the 7 Cs.

Clear: Plan ahead! Know your purpose and convey your ideas in a unified manner.
Coherent: Organize your thoughts in a logical, structured progression.
Concise: Budget your words wisely; ensure your writing contains only what’s necessary.
Concrete: Use specific and precise language, use measurable descriptors and avoid vague language.
Correct: Adhere to proper grammar, punctuation, and document structure.
Complete: Give all the important information and answer all relevant questions.
Courteous: Format so that the document is easy to read. Use appropriate and tactful language.

[Return to Figure 2.2.1]

W. Zinsser, “Simplicity,” [Online]. Available: http://www.geo.umass.edu/faculty/wclement/Writing/zinsser.html ↵
Figure 2.2.1 created by Alyssa Zicari and Jenna Hildemann; used with permission ↵
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). [Film]. Directed by G. Lucas ↵
K. G. Blank, “Wordiness list,” Department of English, University of Victoria [Online]. Available: http://web.uvic.ca/~gkblank/wordiness.html ↵

Attributions

This chapter is from Technical Writing Essentials by Suzan Last (on BCcampus ). It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

W. Zinsser, “Simplicity,” [Online]. Available: http://www.geo.umass.edu/faculty/wclement/Writing/zinsser.html ↵
Figure 2.2.1 created by Alyssa Zicari and Jenna Hildemann; used with permission ↵
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). [Film]. Directed by G. Lucas ↵
K. G. Blank, “Wordiness list,” Department of English, University of Victoria [Online]. Available: http://web.uvic.ca/~gkblank/wordiness.html ↵

Effective Professional Communication: A Rhetorical Approach Copyright © 2021 by Rebekah Bennetch; Corey Owen; and Zachary Keesey is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The 7 C's of Communication

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essay on 7cs of communication

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The 7 C’s of Effective Communication – Explained with Examples

The 7 C’s of Effective Communication

It involves the following C’s:

1. Completeness

2. Correctness

3. Conciseness

4. Courtesy

6. Consideration

7. Concreteness

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Essay on 7 Cs of Communication

3. Complete

4. Concrete

6. Considered

7. Courteous

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7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF

Explain 7 Cs of Communication With Examples

Importance of 7Cs of Communication

How can I improve my communication skills using the 7 C’s?

What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the 7 C’s?

FAQs on the 7 C’s of Communication

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3. Concrete

5. Coherent

6. Complete

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4. Considerate

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Correctness

7 Cs of Communication: All that you need to know