How does the message balance concision (the need to connect immediately to its readers) with clarity (the need to provide details and guidelines in a complex situation)?

Organization and Tone

Read and then analyze the persuasive email below (an email sent to students at the University of Illinois in the wake of violation of pandemic policy guidelines in Fall 2020) in 150 to 200 words. In particular, think about how clarity and concision works to develop (or undercut) the email’s persuasive aims. Also consider aspects of tone here.

Consider the following questions for points of exploration. How does the message balance concision (the need to connect immediately to its readers) with clarity (the need to provide details and guidelines in a complex situation)? How does the email engage or connect (or fail to connect) to its reader’s need or interest? How does it suggest an answer (or fail to respond) to that need? Does it establish a defined course of action for the reader (or not)? Does it contain essential information for readers (or not)? How does the style of the letter itself a part of what engages (or distances) you to/from the sender?