Clean Newsletter
Context
​
As an intern for Clean, Inc., an integrated branding agency, I was given the
opportunity to write for a variety of companies, allowing me to implement my
knowledge of rhetorically analyzing different discourses. My favorite company to
write for was Clean itself because the company’s voice allowed me to have fun
and be creative. One deliverable I helped write for Clean was the quarterly
newsletter that gets sent out to employees every quarter. Of the seven news blurbs
incorporated into the newsletter, I wrote the copy for Clean as Best Places to Work,
the Triangle Pushcart Race, Lenovo How-to-sell Guides and Wilson, NC.
Rhetorical Considerations
While writing these blurbs, it was important to remember the purpose of rhetoric. According to Cicero, rhetoric has three purposes: docere, meaning to teach; movere, meaning to move; and delectare, meaning to please. These coincide with logos, pathos and ethos, respectively.
Arguably the most important part of the Clean newsletter is the news itself. The purpose of the newsletter is to teach (docere) Clean employees about the goings-on within the company. This meant I had to make sure the blurbs contained information about Clean’s involvement in certain things, and not just talk about the client. For example, the information I received in order to write the Lenovo blurb only discussed what Lenovo was up to, so I had to work in Clean’s name so that it was relevant to the company.
Before even sitting down to write the newsletter, myself and a couple of other employees sat down together to discuss what news was newsworthy enough. We wanted to choose pieces that would move (movere) the employees to feel proud of the company they work for. We came up with a list of important news, from client work to new business to Clean events. Then we had a round-table-like discussion about each item on our list. We believe that the blurbs that made the newsletter show employees that Clean is a thriving and growing community, and that that makes them proud to be a part of this company.
As I mentioned previously, writing in the Clean voice was one of my favorite assignments because I got to have fun while doing it. The company probably wouldn’t want me to use this word, but the voice of Clean has a very punny element to it. It delivers serious topics in a way that make them fun and lighthearted, but with honest and sincere undertones. The Clean voice makes boring affairs entertaining and amusing. In order to write the blurbs I had to make sure I understood this voice so that I could please (delectare) the audience. The employees would not take me seriously as an intern or copywriter if I were unable to write in the company’s style.
Evaluation
Having a sarcastic and witty sense of humor helped me a great deal in writing this newsletter. I feel like I was able to put more of myself into these blurbs than any other client project I have completed as an intern. I believe that’s what makes Clean so special. The company reflects the personalities of its employees, which makes it relatable and inviting. Through this internship I have found that I am capable of distinguishing between different audiences and rhetors in order to write effective copy. Below are screen shots of the blurbs I wrote. To view the full newsletter, click here.
​
​
