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The Business Writing Guide was created to help business students write more professional documents. The chapters and sections, outlined below, provide useful guidelines and strategies for a range of writing components. Business Writing Primer The short primer distills the essential characteristics of business writing. A short table outlines the
- WRITING FITNESS
- Objectives
- PART II—SOME BASICS OF STYLE
- Writing Skills Are Essential
- A High-Tech World
- Writing Fitness
- Better Writing Now
- About the Organization of This Book
- Building a Foundation
- One Step at a Time
- EXERCISE SECTION
- EXERCISE # 1—SPELLING
- EXERCISE #3—SPELLING RULES
- EXERCISE #4—THE APOSTROPHE
- EXERCISE #5—THE COMMA
- EXERCISE #6—CAPITAL LETTERS
- ANSWERS TO EXERCISE #7
- Clear Sentences
- Principles of Effective Style
- SENTENCES
- EXERCISE #11—ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY WORDS
- EXERCISE #13—AVOID REDUNDANCY
- EXERCISE #14—USE ADJECTIVES SPARINGLY
- EXERCISE #15—SHORT WORDS ARE BETTER
- TO DETAIL
- EXERCISE #19—WEAKLING VERBS
- Clear, Direct, and Concise
- Set Off Important Points
- Memo #3
- EXERCISE #20—REVISING A MEMO (1)
- EXERCISE #21—REVISING A MEMO (2)
- Write the Way You Talk
- Keep It Short
- Rewriting Letters
- A CHECKLIST FOR THE BUSINESS LETTER
- Organizing a Report
- Style Tips
- SOME DO’S AND DONTS FOR REPORT WRITING
- A Final Challenge
- EXERCISE #25—WRITING A MEMO (1)
- EXERCISE #26—WRITING A MEMO (2)
- EXERCISE #27—WRITING A MEMO (3)
- EXERCISE #29—WRITING A BUSINESS LETTER (2)
- EXERCISE #31—WRITING A BUSINESS REPORT
The objectives for Writing Fitness are listed below. They have been developed to guide you, the reader, to the core issues covered in this book.
To give techniques for spelling accuracy To discuss punctuation and capitalization rules To explain principles of usage To suggest ways to write memos, letters, and reports
Exercises for Better Spelling The Apostrophe Common Comma Faults When to Capitalize More on Mechanics A Usage Quiz
Anyone who earns a living at a desk knows how important it is to have good writing skills. A good letter can get you a job interview or win you a new client. An ability to write clear, concise memos and reports can help you move up the ladder in your organization and win you a better job. On the other hand, poor writing wastes time and costs money....
There has always been a need for clear communication in business. A poorly worded letter will either cause confusion or leave a poor impression. A muddled memo can result in misunderstanding or lead to employee grievances. A sloppy report will often result in lost business. Part of the challenge of clear writing is the nature of business communicat...
This book can help you develop the business writing skills you need to succeed. It is a book of exercises for busy people who want to write better memos, letters, and reports. The exercises are designed to tone and strengthen a writer’s style, just like physical exercise and diet are used to build a healthy body. This book explains how to slim down...
Some readers may have reservations about the length of time it takes to develop good writing habits. You may believe it takes years to become a good writer. You may be reluctant to commit yourself to the time and effort you feel are necessary. Let’s give that myth a decent burial right away. True, it takes time and energy to become an accomplished ...
Writing Fitness will get your writing muscles in shape. It will help tone your prose style and get rid of the fatty deposits in your sentences. It will help you select words that make your writing more vital. This book contains a series of exercises and activities in a “self-study” format. Suggested answers and model responses follow the exercises ...
Many writers have trouble with basics such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and mechanics. It’s no disgrace to be a poor speller, just a handicap. A good beginning point for a self-improvement course on writing is with the basics of the language. If you are weak in this area, the first step is to admit it. Then begin to build a foundation for imp...
If your basic skills are weak, don’t despair. Learning how to write is like everything else: it must be learned one step at a time. Isolate your biggest weakness and deal with it first. This section of the book will help you start building the basic skills you need. The purpose of this section is to point you in the right direction. You will discov...
The following exercises will provide you with an opportunity to answer questions related to various writing skills. Answers to the questions for individual exercises will be found on the page following the exercise. At this stage, it is not important how many you answer correctly. The primary purpose for the exercises is to provide you with some in...
Are you a poor speller? Here’s an easy way to fix the proper spelling of a word in your mind. First, look up the problem word in the dictionary. Note that the word is broken down into syllables (psychology). Look at the word; look at each syllable one at a time. Next say the word aloud, pronouncing each syllable (“sigh-kol-oh-gee”). Next, close you...
How are you on spelling rules? Here’s a quick review of four important ones. In the sentences below, spell the bracketed word correctly if you can, then check your answers (and which rule applies), on the next page. We hope to (rec-ve) the shipment this week. The new tariff will hurt our (for-gn) competitors. The (financ-r) was charged with tax eva...
Test your knowledge of the proper use of apostrophes by circling errors in the sentences below. The apostrophe (’) is used to show possession or ownership, or to mark an omission. Correctly punctuated sentences and the rules that apply are found on the next page. The office managers new rule was unpopular with the secretaries. The secretarys chair ...
To use a comma or not to use a comma, that is the question. The comma is a signal indicating a needed pause within a sentence. Add needed commas to the sentences below. Strike out or change punctuation that is unnecessary or incorrect. The reason is, we weren’t sure about the meeting date, when I called. Section Chief, Bill Jones, will meet with us...
Let’s see how much you know about capitalization. Capital letters are used with surnames, days of the week, months, holidays, titles before a name, specific place names, and important words in titles. In the sentences below, add or subtract capital letters as needed. Last year the meeting was held on a wednesday in June, or maybe it was later in th...
Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Rule: Place commas and periods inside quotation marks. He said his plans are “uncertain at this time”; he promised to make up his mind by next week. Rule: Place colons and semicolons outside quotation marks. President Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you.” Rule: Use single q...
Perhaps your basic skills are fundamentally sound. You can spell most words, know how to punctuate and make few grammatical mistakes. If this is the case, the next step in building a better writing style is to concentrate on improving your sentences. A good English sentence is economical, simple, and clear. A sentence should contain no unnecessary ...
You can learn to write better by putting into practice a few simple principles of effective style. You may have to break some bad habits in the process, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. Following are some basic rules: When you finish a draft of a memo or letter, reread it carefully and trim unnecessary words. Simplify your language. Don’t try t...
Following is a formula for more readable writing. Use simple, active sentences made up of familiar, concrete words. First, write with active sentences. In an active sentence, the doer of an action is named first, before the verb. In a passive sentence the doer (if mentioned at all) appears in a phrase after the verb: “The meeting was changed by the...
“Too many words” is a common fault of bad writing. Improve each of the following sentences by penciling out unnecessary words. Reword the sentence if needed. Somebody has said that words are a lot like inflated money—the more of them that you use, the less each one of them is worth. I was unaware of the fact that your widget could be used for secur...
Another type of wordiness is caused by redundant expressions. In the word pairs listed below, which of the words can be omitted? close proximity clenched tightly refer back continue on definite decision circle around absolutely essential rather unique advance planning and moreover basic fundamentals blend together brief moment but nevertheless (Ans...
Another kind of wordiness results from too many adjectives and adverbs. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. Often helping words are unnecessary if the writer chooses his words carefully. In the examples below, replace each verb or noun with a more specific word and omit adjectives and adverbs. pursue vigorously powerful increase move swiftly erro...
The following phrases and sentences are unclear (and silly) because the writers have used too many big words. Try to figure out the intended meaning in each example. Illumination is required to be extinguished on these premises after nightfall. Light out after dark My thinking has evolved to the significant point where a concept has emerged. I ackn...
Pay attention to detail! Don’t ignore the little things. Your letters and memos should look good and be free of errors. Find and circle “typos” and other errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics) in the sentences below. Thank you for your interest in our firm, this letter will summarize the services we can provide for you. Many of our clie...
Weakling verbs don’t belong in your letters and memos. Get rid of them. Replace them with verbs with muscle. Look for words that describe actions all by themselves, without helping words or phrases. Below, replace (don’t “find replacments for”) the weak verbs listed. WEAK
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Write a report proposing a solution to a problem that has been identified by management of a company or agency. Your report should be three to four pages in length. Organize your report clearly and logically. Give each section an appropriate heading. You may use the following outline to plan your report, or make your own outline. Problem Recommenda...
Forms of business writing and their uses 1. Letters The business letter is the principal means of communication between organisations, their clients, and key stakeholders. Business letters are generally sent to people outside an organisation but can also be sent to those within the organisation too. Most business letters are formal in tone and ...
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The Smart Guide to Business Writing 6 Business Writing: We’ve all got to do it I Business Writing: We’ve all got to do it Melville, in his famous story Bartleby the Scrivener, writes about a character who refuses to write. Let us just say the story ends tragically. That story was written a long time ago when there were scriveners.
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clear sentences, correct spelling, good details, a professional voice, no dropped words, nice-looking letterhead, no logical errors, a great anecdote. . . . Effective writing is subjective, right? Wrong. The hundreds of things that make writing effective are summed up in just seven traits. Here is the trait-based profile of writing that works:
Business writing is different Writing for a business audience is usually quite different than writing in the humanities, social sciences, or other academic disciplines. Business writing strives to be crisp and succinct rather than evocative or creative; it stresses specificity and accuracy. This distinction does not make business writing ...
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Good writing gets the reader’s dopa mine flowing in the area of the brain known as the reward circuit. Great writ ing releases opioids that turn on reward hot spots. Just like good food, a sooth ing bath, or an enveloping hug, well executed prose makes us feel pleasure, which makes us want to keep reading. Most of the rules you ...
