Difficult times, such as a pandemic, create volumes of communication, all with different aims and motivations. As an assignment, students are to collect 20 emails that they have received and perform as analysis of their content. The goal is to examine different types of communication to determine their impact on the overall situation. Of course, as situations progress, content changes. For example, at the beginning of a crisis, emails may downplay the severity, during the crisis, messaging can incite pandemonium, and at the end of the crisis, perhaps content of relief. As a class, we are doing a "cross-sectional" study, meaning looking at the situation at a specific point in time regardless of the situational stage. It is crucial as Health administration/public health leaders understand the impact of messaging and the reactive nature of the intended audience, but first, we need to review existing communications from an objective point-of-view.
Using the template provided, collect 20 emails to review. These emails can come from any source but limit them to professional sources (businesses, schools, churches, or organizations); ideally, healthcare organizations, if possible, exclude family and friends. Once the emails are collected, review each, and answer the questions provided in the template.
Email Content Analysis
Complete the following for all 20 emails collected. Emails can be current or within a few weeks. Try to get them as close in date as possible.
Email Content Analysis Assignment
Copy the subject line accurately as entered by the sender
Who is the email from (be specific, list type of organization, if possible)?
Date of the email
Review the email for all the following components:
Did the email make you feel pessimistic or optimistic?
Pessimistic
Undecided
Optimistic
Did the email offer despair or hope?
Despair
Undecided
Hope
Did the email content actionable information (things you can do)?
No
Undecided
Yes
Did the email exhibit care (demonstrated concern for your overall wellbeing)?
No care exhibited
Undecided
Care Exhibited
Did the email seem credible?
Did not seem credible
Undecided
Seemed Credible
Did the email change your behavior?
Did not change my behavior
Undecided
Did change my behavior
Were you skeptical or receptive to the email?
Skeptical
Undecided
Receptive