Career Essentials

Lesson 2: Workplace Communication

Step 2.1 · 1 of 5

LESSON OVERVIEW

Workplace Communication: The 7 Cs

Clear communication helps people complete work safely, accurately, and on time. In this lesson, you will use the 7 Cs to improve a workplace message so the receiver understands what to do next.

Learning objectives

  1. Identify the 7 Cs in workplace messages.
  2. Explain how an unclear message can affect work.
  3. Revise a workplace message to make it clear, complete, and courteous.

National career-readiness alignment

Pacing at a glance

Estimated time for each lesson step
Lesson stepTime
Overview5 minutes
Connect and learn10 minutes
7 Cs in action15 minutes
Practical application18 minutes
Assessment8 minutes

Total: about 56 minutes

Vocabulary

Try it: Click each vocabulary word to read what it means, why it matters at work, and an example.

The person or group receiving a message.
The attitude a message communicates.
Using only the words needed to make the point.
Respectful and professional.

STEP 2.2 · LEARN AND CHECK

Connect

Estimated time: 10 minutes

Your next move: Think about a time you received instructions that were confusing or incomplete. What information did you need before you could begin? Think privately; you do not need to write a response.

Watch: The 7 Cs of Communication

As you watch, listen for the seven words that can help you check a message before you send it.

Open the video in a new tab

Video transcript-based text alternative: The 7 Cs of Communication

This reading version gives the instructional ideas from the video. Use it if you cannot access the video or prefer to read. For the provider's full video transcript, open the video in a new tab, select More, then choose Show transcript.

The video presents seven checks for a workplace message. A message should be : the receiver should understand the main point. It should be : include only the information needed. It should be : use specific facts, actions, times, and places. It should be : check details, names, spelling, and directions. It should be : put information in a logical order. It should be : provide what the receiver needs to act. It should be : use a respectful, professional tone.

Before sending a message, consider the , the task, the details needed, and the next step. A strong message helps the receiver act without guessing.

Learn

Workplace messages should help another person understand the task and act. Before sending a message, consider your , purpose, needed details, and . When a message is unclear, a worker may lose time, make an error, or need to stop and ask for help.

Check for Understanding

A supervisor says, “Handle that customer thing soon.” What makes this direction unclear?
Which action makes communication a two-way process?
You need a glove count by 10:00 a.m. Which instruction matches those facts?

STEP 2.3 · LEARN AND CHECK

The 7 Cs in Action

Estimated time: 15 minutes

Your next move: Study the changes in a worked example. Then try a short revision before you write a new message.

Before you compare the messages: Click any 7 Cs word to see what it means, why it matters at work, and an example.

State the main point in plain language.
Remove extra words and unrelated details.
Use specific facts, dates, times, or actions.
Check names, facts, grammar, and directions.
Put ideas in a logical order.
Include what the receiver needs to act.
Use a respectful, professional tone.

See the 7 Cs in your career field

Select a career field. Read the fictional work order first, then compare the vague request with a revision that uses those facts. This is communication practice, not a technical procedure.

Choose a career field to see the facts available to the writer.

Compare a message before and after

Before

Choose a career field to view a vague workplace message.

After

Choose a career field to view an improved workplace message.

The improved message will name a task and add specific details, a deadline, and a respectful next step.

Try a small revision

Facts: Alex needs to print 12 sign-in sheets for the front desk by 3:00 p.m. and reply to you when they are ready.

Starting message: “Hi Alex, please print 12 sign-in sheets for the front desk.”

Keep the supplied facts. Add only the missing information. More than one wording can work.

Compare with one possible revision

“Hi Alex, please print 12 sign-in sheets for the front desk by 3:00 p.m. Reply to me when they are ready. Thank you.” The deadline tells Alex when to finish; the reply lets you check completion.

Check for Understanding

Which revision makes a message more concrete?
The message already names the task and location. Which ending adds a clear deadline and asks for confirmation?
Which message follows this order: task, details, then deadline and confirmation?

STEP 2.4 · PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Revise a New Workplace Request

Estimated time: 18 minutes

Your next move: Use a new work order in your selected career field to write a message someone can act on. This task is different from the worked example.

Each career field has its own notes and draft. Switching fields keeps the work you already wrote; switch back to reopen it. You can use a career-program task without having a job.

Choose a career field to receive a new work order.

Use the supplied facts. These are fictional communication tasks. Follow your program's required supervision for any real work. If a real instruction is missing a fact, ask the sender; do not invent a deadline, location, or technical step.

1. Plan the recipient and task

Use the person or role in the work order. Choose a greeting that fits that audience.

Use an action verb and identify the item, place, or result from the work order.

2. Write your complete message

Optional frame: Hi [recipient], please [task]. Include [needed facts]. Finish by [deadline], then [confirmation]. Thank you.

Keep the facts accurate. Add the details, deadline, and requested reply in a logical order. This editor and Step 2.5 show the same response.

3. Find evidence in your draft

Read your draft. Check each statement only when you can point to the words that support it. This is self-review, not automatic grading.

4. Explain one improvement

Choose one C you improved. Use a phrase from your own draft to explain how it helps the receiver. One phrase may demonstrate more than one C.

For example, a specific time helps the receiver plan when to finish. Explain the effect of the words you chose.

5. Compare, then revise

After you have a draft, compare it with one possible response. Different wording can meet the same criteria. Revise your editor using what you notice.

Clear saved Lesson 2 practice on this device

First save a copy elsewhere. This removes the career choice, guided practice, notes, and drafts for all career fields from this browser. It does not change quiz responses.

STEP 2.5 · LESSON ASSESSMENT

Prepare Your Final Workplace Message

Estimated time: 8 minutes

Your next move: Review your message below. Copy it into the final-message question in the Lesson 2 course quiz when it is assigned, then complete and submit the quiz there.

The quiz includes nine multiple-choice questions and one workplace message, for 20 points total. Your planning notes and explanation are practice; submit your polished message as the written response.

Saving or checking work on this page does not submit the quiz or record a grade.

Draft career field: Choose a career field in Step 2.4.

Review the work-order facts for this draft

This is the same response as your Step 2.4 draft. Changes here update that editor too. If it is blank, return to the work order and write your message.

Finished? Clear saved practice on this device

First save or submit a copy of your message. This removes all Lesson 2 practice notes and drafts from this browser. It does not change quiz responses.

Your place in this lesson is saved in the page address.

Why it matters at work

Workplace example