Writing Goals

In simple terms, a goal for writing a business document is what you want your reader to do or believe (actions or persuasion). Your goals in writing your document suggest the effect you want your writing to have on your reader or audience. Goals can either be text-based or reader-based goals. A text-based goal is a written text specifically describing your desired goals. A reader-based goal spells out why you want to do a specific task and it provides a clearer picture of the task at hand.

Examples:

Text-based: I want to compose a thank-you letter to Jane Doe, the Vice President of Operations, for speaking at our organization's annual fundraiser.

Reader-based: As a result of reading my thank-you letter, I want Jane Doe's organization to remember our annual fundraiser so that the organization will be compelled to make a charitable donation annually.