Proposed by renowned American speaker Brian Tracy, the PREP communication framework is a powerful tool for structuring and organizing information effectively, particularly in communication and public speaking.
About the Author
Tracy, a well-known motivational speaker, author, and personal development expert. Tracy has written extensively on topics related to communication, productivity, and success, and he emphasizes the importance of clarity and structure in communication.
What is PREP
PREP stands for Point, Reason, Example, and Point. Here’s a breakdown of each component:
Point
This is the main idea or argument you want to convey.
It’s the central message you want your audience to understand.
This can also be considered as your conclusion.
Reason
After stating your point, you provide the reason or rationale behind it.
This helps to justify your point and provide context for your audience.
Example
Illustrate your point with examples to make it more tangible.
These examples can stem from personal experiences, case studies, or relevant anecdotes.
Point (reiterated)
Finally, you restate your main point to reinforce it and ensure clarity.
This helps reinforce it in the minds of the audience. By repeating the key message, you increase the likelihood that your audience will remember and understand it.
PREP vs. SCQA
PREP and SCQA are both tools used to structure communication effectively, it looks similar but still has some differences.
If you want to hit the point directly, then use PREP framework. It is typically used to convey a main idea in a limited time (for example, your audience already had all the context, you just need to show the result).
Apart from this, the communication style should be also part of your consideration. (that’s why we need to learn these communication strategies).
SCQA is often used to address a specific question or issue with storytelling techniques. If your audience doesn’t have much background knowledge or needs more context to help them understand your inputs, then go for SCQA.
Speaking to this, SCQA also has a variation (ASC: Answer – Situation – Complication) to cater to the different scenarios.
Conclusion First: A Key Communication Rule
A fundamental rule in communication is to state your conclusion first. When expressing your point of view, always begin with the conclusion.
Example
Your boss is asking if the company need to conduct a marketing plan or not.
This is how it goes with the PREP communication framework:
- Point: State the main point or recommendation regarding whether the company should conduct a marketing plan.
- “Yes, I recommend that the company should conduct a marketing plan.”
- Reason: Provide the rationale behind the recommendation.
- “The reason for this recommendation is that our current marketing efforts are not effectively addressing our challenges and opportunities. We need a strategic approach to attract and retain customers, differentiate ourselves in the market, and ultimately drive growth.”
- Example: Offer an example or supporting evidence to illustrate the need for a marketing plan.
- “For instance, our recent sales data shows a plateau in revenue despite increased investment in advertising. Without a clear marketing strategy, we’re struggling to reach our target audience and stand out from competitors.”
- Point (reiterated): Restate the main point to reinforce the recommendation.
- “In summary, conducting a marketing plan is essential for the company to overcome current challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth.”
