Staging in Communication

Dr. Aubrey Neil Leveridge

4 Staging in Communication

Dr. Aubrey Neil Leveridge

Introduction to Staging

Listen or Read – the choice is yours.

In professional and academic communication, particularly in the natural resources sector, how you structure and stage your message is just as important as the message itself. Effective communication is not only about what you say but how you say it. Staging refers to the way you organize your thoughts and ideas, guiding your audience through a logical progression of information that builds understanding, creates engagement, and leads to action.

Staging involves crafting a message that flows logically from one point to the next. It includes organizing the introduction, body, and conclusion of your message in a way that ensures clarity and maximizes impact. Whether you’re writing a professional report, delivering a presentation, or composing an email, staging is a critical skill that will help you succeed in both academic and professional contexts.

In this chapter, we will explore the foundational principles of staging and how you can apply these concepts to your own work to create clear, compelling, and well-organized communication.

The Building Blocks of Effective Communication

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

The introduction sets the tone for your communication. It should provide context, clearly state the purpose, and outline the key points that will be discussed. A well-crafted introduction engages your audience and gives them a roadmap of what to expect.

Purpose Statement: Clearly explain why you are communicating. This might involve addressing a question, presenting data, or proposing a solution.
Preview of Main Points: Provide a brief overview of the key ideas you will cover. This helps your audience understand what is coming and prepares them to follow your logic.
Engagement Hook: Consider starting with an engaging fact, question, or anecdote to grab your audience’s attention from the beginning.

Example:
“Today, we are discussing how sustainable forestry practices can address the challenge of climate change. I will outline the key methods for sustainable logging, explain the benefits of these practices, and provide a roadmap for implementation.”

2. The Body: Delivering the Message

The body of your communication is where the bulk of your information is presented. This section should be logically structured, guiding the audience through your key points with clarity and purpose.

Organizing Information: Arrange your points in a clear order, whether it’s chronological, by importance, or by theme. Make sure each section builds upon the previous one to create a cohesive narrative.
Transitions and Signposts: Use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the next. Signposts are phrases or sentences that let your audience know where you are in the discussion (e.g., “First, we will look at…,” “Next, let’s consider…,” “In conclusion…”). These help maintain the flow of your communication and make it easier for your audience to follow along.
Supporting Evidence: In professional communication, it’s essential to back up your claims with evidence. Whether you’re referencing research, data, or expert opinions, make sure your supporting details are well-organized and directly related to your main points.

Example:
“Let’s begin by looking at sustainable logging practices. One method is selective cutting, where only certain trees are harvested to maintain forest health. Research shows that this approach can reduce soil erosion and protect wildlife habitats.”

3. Conclusion: Wrapping It All Up

The conclusion is your final opportunity to reinforce your message and ensure that your audience walks away with a clear understanding of your key points (Johnson, 2022).

Summary of Key Points: Briefly restate the main ideas you’ve covered, reminding your audience of the important information they’ve learned.
Call to Action: In professional communication, your conclusion should often include a call to action. This could be a recommendation for next steps, a proposal for further discussion, or a request for feedback.
Closing Thought: End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression. This might be a compelling statistic, a forward-looking statement, or a quote (Miller, 2021).

Example:
“In conclusion, sustainable logging practices like selective cutting can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of forestry. By implementing these methods, we not only protect our ecosystems but also ensure the long-term sustainability of the forestry industry. I encourage you to consider these strategies as part of your environmental management plan.”

Staging in Different Forms of Communication

Staging is not just for reports or presentations—it applies to every form of communication, whether written or spoken. Here’s how staging plays a role in various types of communication:

Emails

In professional emails, staging helps ensure that your message is clear and to the point. The introduction should state the purpose of the email, the body should present the necessary information, and the conclusion should include any actions you need the recipient to take.

Example Email Structure:

Subject Line: Request for Absence Due to Fieldwork Opportunity
Introduction: Briefly explain the situation.
Body: Provide details about the conflict and suggest alternatives.
Conclusion: Politely ask for guidance on how to proceed.

Staging for a Data Commentary

Title:
Deforestation Trends in British Columbia: 2000-2020

Stage 1: Background Information

Deforestation in British Columbia (BC) has long been a topic of concern for both environmentalists and policymakers. As one of Canada’s most forested provinces, BC plays a critical role in the country’s timber industry while also balancing the need for forest conservation. This data commentary examines deforestation trends over a 20-year period, focusing on the primary drivers of deforestation and the potential long-term impacts on the region’s biodiversity and climate.

Purpose of Data Commentary: The purpose of this data commentary is to analyze the deforestation trends from 2000 to 2020 in BC using visual data. The commentary will interpret the data, highlight key findings, and provide context for these changes by referring to policy shifts, economic demands, and environmental challenges during this period.

Stage 2: Indicative Summary

The figure below (Figure 1) shows the annual deforestation rates in hectares across British Columbia between 2000 and 2020. The data reveals distinct trends, including two peaks in deforestation during 2005 and 2015, and a gradual decline in the most recent five years of the data. This visual representation indicates changes in deforestation patterns linked to industrial practices and conservation efforts over two decades.

Example: Figure 1 demonstrates the annual deforestation rate in British Columbia from 2000 to 2020, showing fluctuations in land cleared over the last two decades.

Stage 3: Highlighting Statement

The data in Figure 1 reveals two significant peaks in deforestation, one in 2005 and another in 2015. The 2005 peak, where over 10,000 hectares were cleared, coincides with increased timber harvesting due to high market demand for wood products. The 2015 peak, however, is largely attributed to wildfires and the spread of mountain pine beetles, which devastated large sections of the forest. After 2015, a steady decline in deforestation is evident, with a marked reduction by 2020.

Example: As illustrated in Figure 1, deforestation rates peaked at over 10,000 hectares in 2005, reflecting industrial expansion. Another peak occurred in 2015 due to the compounded effects of forest fires and pest outbreaks.

Stage 4: Extension

The peak deforestation rate in 2015 aligns with increased environmental challenges, such as the mountain pine beetle outbreak and large-scale wildfires. These events significantly impacted forest cover in BC, leading to a temporary spike in land cleared. However, by 2020, deforestation had decreased due to stricter conservation policies and reforestation efforts initiated by the provincial government. The post-2015 reduction in deforestation indicates the success of these measures, although challenges remain due to the lingering effects of climate change on BC’s forests.

Example: The spike in 2015, which saw deforestation reach over 12,000 hectares, is largely attributable to environmental factors, including the mountain pine beetle infestation and major wildfires. This spike was followed by a notable decrease as provincial conservation policies and reforestation programs were implemented.

Stage 5: Conclusion

The analysis of deforestation trends in British Columbia from 2000 to 2020 highlights the fluctuating rates of deforestation and the impact of both industrial practices and environmental disasters. While conservation efforts have had a positive effect in recent years, continuous monitoring and sustainable forestry practices will be necessary to protect the province’s forest ecosystems in the long term.

Presentations

In presentations, effective staging involves introducing the topic clearly, presenting the key points with supporting visuals, and ending with a strong conclusion that emphasizes your main message. Consider using signposts to help guide your audience through the presentation.

Example Presentation Structure:

Introduction: Set the stage with the topic and objectives.
Body: Present the main ideas supported by visuals (e.g., charts, diagrams).
Conclusion: Summarize and offer a call to action or recommendation.

Reports

In professional reports, staging helps organize complex information in a way that’s easy to understand. Use headings and subheadings to break up sections, provide a clear introduction, and end with recommendations or next steps.

Example Report Structure:

Title Page: Title of the report, author, date.
Introduction: Provide background information and the purpose of the report.
Body: Organize the information into sections (e.g., methods, results, analysis).
Conclusion: Summarize key findings and offer recommendations.

Why Staging Matters

Clear, well-structured communication is essential in the natural resources sector, where complex information often needs to be conveyed to a variety of audiences. Whether you’re writing a management report, delivering a presentation, or composing a professional email, staging ensures that your message is not only understood but also compelling.

Poor staging can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and disengagement. Your audience may struggle to follow your logic or miss important details. On the other hand, effective staging enhances your credibility and helps your message resonate with your audience, whether they are experts, stakeholders, or the general public.

Key Takeaways

Staging is the foundation of effective communication. Whether written or spoken, well-organized communication is clearer, more persuasive, and easier to follow.
A strong introduction, well-organized body, and clear conclusion are essential. These elements provide a roadmap for your audience, helping them understand and engage with your message.
Use transitions and signposts to guide your audience. These small but powerful tools help maintain the flow of your communication.
Staging applies to all forms of communication. Whether you’re writing a report, sending an email, or giving a presentation, structuring your message properly will ensure it has the desired impact.

By mastering the art of staging, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively in your academic and professional life, making your ideas clear, compelling, and impactful.