Why most messages fail: Most messages fail because they are too long, too vague, or they ask three things at once.
One purpose, one action: A clear message has one purpose, one main point, and one clear action. The reader should know in 10 seconds what you want and what to do next.
Short sentences are kind: Good writing is kind writing. Short sentences are not rude. They are a gift to a busy reader.
The Clear Message Formula
- Greeting: "Assalamu Alaikum, Ustadh."
- One point: "I am writing about tomorrow's class."
- One action: "Please tell me if the class is at 9 am or 10 am."
- Close: "JazakAllah."
Example
A bad message, too much at once: A bad message: "Sir, I wanted to ask about many things, like the class and the test and the fee, and my friend also said something, so please reply soon."
A good message, one question: A good message: "Assalamu Alaikum, Sir. I have a question about the test on Friday. Is it from Chapter 3 only, or from Chapters 3 and 4? JazakAllah."
The second message gets answered: The second message will get a reply. The first one will be ignored.
Key Terms
- Purpose (مقصد) — the one reason you are writing
- Call to action (عمل کی درخواست) — what you want the reader to do next
Quran or Hadith
None in this topic.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: The message formula as four boxes: Greeting → One Point → One Action → Close. In Project Desk colours.
- A clear message has one purpose, one point, and one action.
- The reader should know in 10 seconds what to do next.
- Short sentences are a gift to a busy reader, not rudeness.