Protocol
State what the reader must do before giving the history
The action is part of the message, not a conclusion the reader should infer.
When it fits
- An asynchronous message contains useful context but the recipient cannot tell what is expected.
When to avoid it
- Urgent messages still need accuracy; do not create false deadlines to force attention.
Why it matters
Open with the required outcome: decide, review, approve, provide data, fix a blocker or simply be informed. Then give only the context needed to perform that action. If no action is required, say so explicitly.
Steps
- A reader can answer 'what do you need from me?' from the opening lines.
An example
'Need approval of the mapping by 15:00 so today's transport can proceed' appears before the five-line history.
Check your result
A reader can answer 'what do you need from me?' from the opening lines.
Keep this limit in mind
- Urgent messages still need accuracy; do not create false deadlines to force attention.
Connected ideas
Useful withLabel the message mode: decision, action, blocker or FYI
Evidence and sources
CDC clear-communication guidance recommends one obvious main message, placing it early and including a clear action for the audience.
Complex work can require several actions, but the communication still benefits from a dominant purpose.
Description and Examples of Index Items · Core items 1, 2 and 5
ONS content guidance recommends frontloading important information because readers often scan for task-relevant material rather than reading linearly.
The guidance is for web content and is applied here by analogy to async work communication.
Writing and editing: Structuring content · Frontload your content and descriptive headings