Tools for Effective Web Communication

Useful Discussion Forum Strategies

• Ask a question.
• Respond to another person's question.
• Comment on what has already been said.
• Provide more information about the topic being discussed using your personal experience.
• Provide additional resources related to the topic, for instance a Web site, an article, or a program.

Effective Web Communication Checklist

• Include a relevant subject line.

• Make sure your message is clear. Short, clear sentences are usually more effective than long complicated ones. Review your message to minimize the likelihood that it will be misinterpreted.

• Refer to previous communication. If you are referring to a previous posting, make sure to "quote" its relevant section. This will remind other participants of the exact portion of the previous posting to which you are responding.

• Check your spelling. Correct spelling will definitely facilitate your communication with other members. To check the spelling, you can compose the body of your posting in a word processing program, spell check it, and then copy and paste it into the discussion forum.

• Be aware of a possibility of a misunderstanding. Misunderstandings are very common in the context of discussion forums. This problem intensifies when you are a member of a culturally and professionally diverse group of participants. To avoid being misunderstood, please review your message before posting it to make sure it is clear.

• Make sure you are responding to the correct discussion thread. It can be confusing if you respond to the wrong thread, so double-check before you post. You also have the option of editing and/or deleting your posting by clicking on the Edit button.

• Avoid using inappropriate language. This includes abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or offensive language in your postings.