Difference Between Reader & Writer Centered Messages

Written communication effectiveness relies on message type. Reader-centered messages tend to have more effectiveness than writer-centered messages, according to the University of Hawaii System. The University of Hawaii System notes reader-centered messages work better because the readers want to know how the message will affect them.

Reader-centered messages use the pronoun “you” to center the message on the reader. Meanwhile, writer-centered messages heavily use the pronouns “I” and “we.” For example, “Congratulations, you have earned a football scholarship” acts as a reader-centered message while “We are happy to inform you that you have earned a football scholarship” serves as a writer-centered message.

For negative communications, writer-centered messages prove more effective than reader-centered messages because negative reader-centered messages can trigger defensive responses. For instance, “You will need to email the following information because you sent us incomplete data” will likely cause a negative reaction compared to “I don’t have the information needed to complete your transaction. I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me the following information.”