Writing a Persuasive Message

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PROBLEM

You are Cesar Gutirrez, a claims adjuster for Statewide Insurance. Your job requires you to investigate automobile accident claims, negotiate settlements, and authorize payments. Customers are already distressed, of course, over their accidents and possible physical injury. The last thing they need is a delay in settling their insurance claims and getting their vehicles repaired.

Because you travel the entire eastern half of your state to physically examine the damaged vehicles and talk with those involved, you constantly have to search maps and the Internet for directions to out-of-the-way places.

It occurs to you that you could be more productive and provide better customer service if you had an onboard automotive navigation system that relies on the federally operated Global Positioning System (GPS). The device in which you're interested is the Street Pilot III, which boasts a large color display as well as voice prompts (such as "turn right at the next intersection") and automatic routing capability. It's portable, so you can use it on any vehiclewhich is particularly useful given that you sometimes have to fly to your destination and then rent an automobile. The cost is $699.99, but there is no monthly access charge.

Send a memo to your boss, Lisette Washington, vice president of operations, trying to sell her on the idea. She will be concerned, of course, about whether the other two adjusters will request the same device.

PROCESS

Compose a few paragraphs describing how you solved this problem. In narrative form, provide information such as the following:

1.What is the purpose of your letter?

2.Describe your audience.

3.Will you use a direct or an indirect organizational pattern?

4.List the reasons you might discuss for approving your proposalincluding any reader benefits associated with each reason.

5.What is an obstacle that might prevent you from achieving your objective?