Characteristics of Good Communication

Completeness (context)	t answer all questions asked t give something extra, when desirable t check for the five W's and any other essentials
Conciseness (style)	t shorten or omit wordy expressions t include only relevant statements t avoid unnecessary repetition
Consideration (context/delivery)	t focus on "you" instead of "I" or "we" t show reader benefit/interest in the reader t emphasize the positive, pleasant facts t apply integrity and ethics
Concreteness (style/sources)	t use specific and accurate words, facts and figures t put action in your verbs t choose vivid, image-building words
Clarity (organization/ sources)	t choose short, familiar, conversational words t construct effective sentences and paragraphs t achieve appropriate readability (through headings and transitions) and listenability t include examples, illustrations, and other visual aids, when desirable
Courtesy (delivery)	t be sincerely tactful, thoughtful, and appreciative t omit expressions that irritate, hurt, or belittle t grant and apologize good-naturedly
Correctness (style)	t use the right level of language t maintain acceptable writing mechanics t choose nondiscriminatory expressions t apply all the other pertinent "C" qualities

(From Murphy and Hildebrandt's Effective Business Communications, 1991. Modifications/additions by Bob Corey 2005)