Analyze
Gospel Insight
Speak with plainness. In 2 Nephi 25, Nephi explains why many people didn’t understand Isaiah’s prophecies:
“I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me… for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn.”
Nephi understood that clarity is a spiritual principle. Even though he personally understood Isaiah’s words, he knew his audience didn’t. So he adapted his message to meet their needs.
As a Christlike communicator, you’re not called to impress—you’re called to connect. Tailoring your message to your audience is a form of stewardship. You show respect, build trust, and invite others to act when you speak with plainness, empathy, and care.
Project Roadmap
There is no standalone assignment for this lesson, but audience awareness will shape everything you do in this course.
- Business research article: you’ll align tone, style, and structure to fit a professional audience.
- Team decision project: you’ll analyze and weigh audience-focused criteria.
- Emails and presentations: you’ll adjust your format, tone, and delivery based on context.
- Peer reviews and group work: you’ll respond clearly, constructively, and with relevance.
Why This Matters
If you ignore your audience, your message won’t land. But if you understand them, every assignment becomes easier, more powerful, and more professional.
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Read the Textbook Chapter
This learning module should take you about 1 hour to complete.
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
Articulate a clear and authentic personal brand grounded in their CliftonStrengths results and other relevant soft skills.
Evaluate and align professional communication tools such as LinkedIn, resumes, elevator pitches, and cover letters with their personal brand to support internship or job opportunities.
Demonstrate their personal brand in real-world contexts through customized employment communication experiences.
Disciplinary Writing
Students focus on a well-defined purpose—to know their audience and write to that specific audience.
Students will adopt a voice and tone specifically adapted to employment communication.
Oral Communication
Students will develop skills necessary to succeed in oral environments: networking events, informational interviews, job interviews, and delivering elevator pitches.
Knowledge of Conventions
Students will understand business-specific requirements for documents like resumes and cover letters and they will understand why certain styles work and others don't.
View BYU's Advanced Written and Oral Communication Learning OutcomesFaith in Christ
This unit invites students to see their personal brand not as self-promotion, but as a stewardship of their God-given strengths. By reflecting on their unique talents through tools like CliftonStrengths and presenting them authentically, students honor their divine potential and the call to serve others through meaningful work.
“Let your light so shine…” (Matthew 5:16). This unit helps students prepare to shine in a professional setting in a way that reflects their commitment to discipleship and purposeful contribution.
Respect for All
Students are encouraged to build a personal brand that is not only self-aware but also other-aware—framing their strengths in terms of how they contribute to teams, organizations, and communities. Respect is also emphasized through peer feedback and professional communication practices that value diverse audiences and perspectives.
Branding done well reflects humility and service, not ego. This unit reinforces that professional growth should uplift others, not compete destructively with them.
Integrity in Action
Authenticity is central to both personal branding and employment communication. Students are taught to align their public presence (LinkedIn, resumes, interviews) with who they truly are, avoiding exaggeration or misrepresentation. This fosters credibility and trustworthiness in professional relationships.
Students learn that the strongest brands are built on truth and consistency—key components of personal and professional integrity.
Excellence
The unit challenges students to communicate their value with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Whether it’s refining a LinkedIn profile or delivering an elevator pitch, the expectation is that their work meets high standards—preparing them to represent both themselves and the Marriott School with excellence in any setting.
This commitment to continuous improvement and polish prepares students to stand out in competitive internship and job markets.
View the BYU Marriott School Mission and Values