1. Audience Analysis - Audience analysis is identifying the “interests, needs, and personality of [the] receiver." This includes thinking of whether one is addressing a higher up or a subordinate, and a singular person or a group of people. One must also anticipate their audience’s reaction to their message. If one thinks their message will be received positively, they can be direct in their message. If one anticipates a neutral reception, they must convince their audience that their message is important. If one anticipates a negative response, they must use a greater deal of persuasion, perhaps calling on expert opinion and external evidence. “Persuasion is not coercion” because “people can be forced to do something, but they can’t be forced to believe something." Someone who properly analyzes their audience will know the proper amount of persuasion that should be employed.
2. Planning - Planning is about deciding upon the “purpose, content and organization of the message." Most writers start with a general purpose statement, and then refine that purpose later into a specific purpose statement. The statement basically is used so as not to lose focus. Brainstorming is a part of determining the content of one’s message. Organization is about finding an order in which to present the topics.
3. Drafting - Drafting is the rough version of a message. It is important to have a “just let go” mindset when drafting. In this way, one may avoid writer’s block, impatience, and perfectionism. To summarize the drafting step, “It is much easier to polish a page full of writing than a page full of nothing."
4. Revising - Revising is when one revisits their rough draft to make modifications that will make it the “most effective document possible,” with time and importance being the only constraints. This is the stage where one makes any major revisions to the content, style and correctness of their document.
5. Formatting and Proofreading - The final step in the writing process is formatting and proofreading. The format one chooses can be a letter or memo format; however, because many documents today are sent as e-mails, the formatting lines can be used. There is no one format that is universally accepted.
Revising
Style is one element of revising which means, “the way in which an idea is expressed." This includes the writer’s word choice, the way they form sentences and paragraphs with those words and setting the overall tone. In choosing the right words, we must keep in mind accuracy, familiarity, and specificity, and avoid dangling expressions and clichés, slang, and jargon. One must avoid “space-eaters,” wordy expressions, redundancy, and more. In short, one must make every word count. These things can mean the difference between a message that achieves its goal, and one that does not.
The chart below provided by The Canyon Group shows another approach to effective business writing
Guidelines for Effective Business Writing: Four Simple Rules
Good Writing is Concise
The best writing focuses on key points and eliminates
unnecessary words and paragraphs. The key to
making writing concise is proofreading and editing.
Good Writing is Persuasive
Effective business writing compels the reader to
follow your recommendations through the cumulative
weight of your clearly expressed arguments.
Good Writing is Correct in Tone
The best writing uses the language and jargon of your
target reader in a way that seems natural, not forced.
Jargon from your business is explained or eliminated.
Good Writing is “Inviting to Read”
Persuasive documents are easy for the reader to scan
and understand. This means no long paragraphs, and
frequent “visual breaks” like pictures or this table.
Sentence Length
The mere length of sentences may seem relatively unimportant, however it is "one of the most important points in mastering effective expression." Sentences that are too long are inefficient because the piling of ideas causes the reader to "loose his way." On the other hand, strings of chopped, simple sentences are equally as bad, because the relation between consecutive sentences becomes difficult to see. The most effective writing uses varied sentence length and structure to keep the writing interesting and efficient.
Sentence Structure
To create strong sentences they need to be concise, varied, and focused which will make your sentences look more professional.
Try to vary your sentences by using at least three different types:
The Simple Sentence
The Compound Sentence
The Complex Sentence
Being Concise
Business writing should avoid the use of metaphors, according to an article by Forbes magazine. The use of metaphors can lead to an unclear message. When writing for business purposes, the author should try to use language which is very literal in order to avoid having the recipient question what the author wants accomplished.
The Four Features of Concise Writing
1. Clear Structure
2. Clear Topic Sentences
3. Short Paragraphs
4. Cumulative Reasoning and Flow
Being persuasive in business writing
Although the video clip deals with the difference between effective communication and being persuasive, many of the principles can be applied to business writing as well.
One good point the speaker in the clip makes is to try to take things a step further from being effective communication to being persuasive. Being persuasive in business writing is important because
you are limited to what is written, unlike with face to face communication where you can be present to answer all questions at the moment and quell any apprehensions the receiver of the message may have and can also use body language and vocal tone to help convey trustworthiness. It must be clear and to the point in order to make the most impact upon the reader.
a lot of communication in business seeks to solve a problem, it is the authors responsibility to draft a message that will lead the receiver to take action (preferably one that achieves the results desired by the sender.)
All business communication involves persuasion in one way or another. "Persuasion is the process of motivating someone to take a specific action or support a particular idea."
In writing a persuasive message, one wants to convince their reader/s that they have the best point of view. In order to do this one must create their message with the audience in mind, support their point of view with convincing reasons, and predict and defuse or disarm any opposition.
In dealing with superiors or an objective audience, the direct plan, with the major idea first, should be used, In dealing with subordinates, colleagues, and people outside of the company, the indirect plan should be employed, in which the reader’s attention is gained first. Whichever style one chooses, they must create interest and justify their response by backing up their argument, and using a logical, reasonable, sincere and objective tone. In any request there may be negative aspects. It is important not to ignore these or other obstacles, and to spend a space in the middle of the discussion devoted to the topic. Finally, late in the message should come the specific request; this makes the action clear and easy for the reader to take. In making the request, one should use a confident tone and should not apologize or excuse.
Instructions on how to write a persuasive business message:
Analyze your purpose. Your purpose needs to be clear.
Analyze your audience. If you know your audience you can shape your argument so that they believe your proposal will satisfy their concerns.
Establish your credibility by supporting your message with facts, naming your sources, being knowledgeable about the product or service, and being sincere and trustworthy.
Reinforce your position with numerical data, examples, stories, metaphors, and analogies.
Use simple language.
A Better Way to Approach Business Writing
Remember that:
1. Business readers are content driven
2. They are time pressed
3. They are in search of solutions
Business readers like writing that is clear, but writers are supposed to make their information sound good.
Clarity
Clarity is "the essential ingredient that links writing to your company's revenue." Most overwritten business documents are written to impress, rather than to communicate. Business writing should avoid the use of metaphors, according to an article by Forbes magazine. The use of metaphors can lead to an unclear message. When writing for business purposes, the author should try to use language which is very literal in order to avoid having the recipient question what the author wants accomplished.
The use of special characters
Avoid using exclamation points. Most of the articles agree that if exclamation points are used they should be used sparingly and limited to only one following the end of a sentence. While it may be hard to convey enthusiasm through writing, using three exclamation points at the end of a sentence should be avoided as it can appear unprofessional, too casual, or as if it were “yelling” at the reader. A writer should find different ways to show that they are excited such as, using an active voice to show that they are engaged in the topic, being mindful of the tone they portray in their writing, using words that are synonymous for feelings of excitement or enthusiasm.
Parenthesis, comas, semi-colons, and the like should be used only in the manner they are intended to be used for. They should not be used to create “smileys” and other emoticons when preparing a business related document, even if the work environment is casual. While a work environment may be casual or informal, writers should take care to avoid using emoticons in their messages especially if the message may be forwarded to someone outside of the group who expects to receive a more formal message.
Routine Messages
This type of correspondence is typical for managers to perform. Routine messages should follow the direct organizational plan because the reader is probably interested in the message contents and won’t require persuasion. There are a few different types of routine messages:
In a routine request, the reader will readily do what is asked without persuasion. The format of this letter has the main idea first, the explanation and details in the middle, and a friendly closing at the end.
A routine reply is written to provide requested information comply with the original request. One should reply promptly and courteously.
A routine claim letter is written by the buyer to the seller; the buyer seeks action to correct a problem with the product or service. A claim letter should be courteous, confident, and detailed, and explain specifically what the company can do to restore the buyer’s trust.
The response to a routine claim letter is a routine adjustment letter. This letter uses neutral and positive language, and uses a confident and gracious tone. If the company is at fault, the letter should include an apology, and if the customer is at fault, an impersonal and tactful explanation should be given.
Writing in E-mail E-mail is important in today’s business environment.
The video clip above summarizes a lot of the points which follow.
Several sources agree that the subject line is one of the most important parts of an e-mail. The subject line should never be left blank. A blank subject line can cause a recipient to hit delete because they do not know if the e-mail is meant for them or may pass it off as spam. A blank subject line can also convey laziness or lack of attention to detail. One author points out that one should avoid the use of subject lines containing words such as “Urgent” “Read immediately” and “Important” because the matter may not necessarily be urgent or important to the recipient. Another author points out that the subject line should take advantage of the fact that it will be the first thing that is seen by the recipient. The subject line should paint a short clear picture about what the rest of the e-mail will be about. It should catch the reader’s attention and put them on the right track before they even open your e-mail, one author argues.
E-mail is becoming a dominant form of workplace communication, but not everybody understands how to use it in the most effective ways. Many employees put a lot of effort into creating or maintaining a positive impression. This is one reason why there has been a lot of research focusing on impression management in the organizational setting (an example would be managing relations with managers). Many of these impression management opportunities happened in a face-to-face context, but now there is a lot of organizational communication happening through e-mail.
*Impression management explains that either through habit or conscioius manipulation, people try to control how they appear to themselves and others.
-"Perceptions are shaped by each individual's image, attitude, work, interpersonal skills, and communication, both oral and written." (Frederick, 2006, p.46)
-People often judge the message that is sent and use these judgments to evaluate the sender.
People can evaluate others based on the quality of their e-mail.
Those that send grammatically correct e-mails are viewed as:
Friendlier
More likeable
Took care in editing the message
Care about their recipient
Receivers are also more likely to want to work with someone who sends a grammatically correct e-mail versus a person that did not.
Research has showed that e-mail style including salutations, grammar, and word use is different from a formal letter. By writing informal e-mails, there have been concerns for communication overload. This problem is also linked to impression management and the different perspectives that workers have on how they should be using e-mail.
There are some books that tell people to disregard sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation while writing e-mails since “no one reads e-mail with red pen in hand”. There are other books that say e-mail messages should be written using rules similar to standard English grammar.
A workplace email consideration is that we have four different generations working together. All four generations have different expectations and concerns on how to use e-mail as a form of communication between employees.
-Many younger business people use e-mail more often and they are more likely to violate organizational email style and structure expectations. Unfortunately, this can lead to damaging effects on their careers.
-College graduates that send improper and informal e-mails in their professional careers will give off a negative impression of themselves to their employer, colleagues, and clients.
Example of an informal e-mail:
i read chapter 9 and attended class but i still dont understand parts of it. i didnt do well on the last
exam and i think i need some help. r u going 2 b in your office this afternoon. can i come by if
you are.
Example of a formal e-mail:
Dear Dr. Smith,
I read chapter 9 and attended class, but I still don’t understand parts of it. I didn’t do well on the
last exam and I think I need some help. Are you going to be in your office this afternoon? Would I be able to
come by if you are?
Sincerely,
Joe Doe
Improving Formal Style in E-mail
Treat e-mail as an opportunity to put your best foot forward.
The idea of style in written communication is seen through message organization, use of salutations, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word use.
Training people can improve how they effectively use subject lines and write clearer e-mails.
Business Writing Tips : How to Write an Employment Contract Operating Agreements & Templates
An Operating Agreement describes the Internal rules and regulations of the organization. For setting up your company, you have to have a set of rules and regulations that you formally agree to with the business. Basically all of the agreements & functionalities signed by all the partners of the company. The narrator, then explains the seriousness of an "Operating Agreement." Anyone who needs a general layout can download a Template online to see how a "Operating Agreement" should look.
The video reassured the seriousness of business writing and spoke briefly on downloading a template.
Template - Computing a preset format for a document or files, used so taht the format does not have to be recreated each time used.
If you are ever unsure of how a Business Document is supposed to be formatted or may look, you can always search for PDF. templates. This can save you a lot of time and uncertainties.
Know who you are writing for; tailor your writing to your recipient for example: your boss, coworker, client, or subordinate.
Be concise; avoid using too many words which may result in an unclear message.
Avoid using technical jargon for the sake of looking smart, use it only when necessary with appropriate audiences who understand the significance.
Use an active voice; it is usually more direct and helps portray confidence.
Check your spelling and revise your message if necessary.
References Corrigan, R., & Stephens, K. (2007). The effect of formal style and written medium type of message attitude and perceptions of sender's source credibility. National Communication Association, 1-30.
Dillion, S (2004, December 7). What Corporate America Cannot Build: A Sentence. New York Times.
Lee, James M. (1920). Business Writing. New York: The Ronald press company.
Ober, S. (2009). The Writing Process. Contemporary business communication (pp. 106-122). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Revising your writing. Contemporary business communication (pp. 138-166) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Routine Messages. Contemporary business communication (pp. 180-200) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Persuasive Messages. Contemporary business communication (pp. 218-238) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Raymond, C. H. (1921). Modern business writing: a study of the principles underlying effective advertisements and business letters. Michigan: The Century co.
Weeks, H. (2005). The best memo you'll ever write. Harvard Management Communication Letter, 2(2), 3-5.
Business Writing
The writing process
1. Audience Analysis - Audience analysis is identifying the “interests, needs, and personality of [the] receiver." This includes thinking of whether one is addressing a higher up or a subordinate, and a singular person or a group of people. One must also anticipate their audience’s reaction to their message. If one thinks their message will be received positively, they can be direct in their message. If one anticipates a neutral reception, they must convince their audience that their message is important. If one anticipates a negative response, they must use a greater deal of persuasion, perhaps calling on expert opinion and external evidence. “Persuasion is not coercion” because “people can be forced to do something, but they can’t be forced to believe something." Someone who properly analyzes their audience will know the proper amount of persuasion that should be employed.
2. Planning - Planning is about deciding upon the “purpose, content and organization of the message." Most writers start with a general purpose statement, and then refine that purpose later into a specific purpose statement. The statement basically is used so as not to lose focus. Brainstorming is a part of determining the content of one’s message. Organization is about finding an order in which to present the topics.
3. Drafting - Drafting is the rough version of a message. It is important to have a “just let go” mindset when drafting. In this way, one may avoid writer’s block, impatience, and perfectionism. To summarize the drafting step, “It is much easier to polish a page full of writing than a page full of nothing."
4. Revising - Revising is when one revisits their rough draft to make modifications that will make it the “most effective document possible,” with time and importance being the only constraints. This is the stage where one makes any major revisions to the content, style and correctness of their document.
5. Formatting and Proofreading - The final step in the writing process is formatting and proofreading. The format one chooses can be a letter or memo format; however, because many documents today are sent as e-mails, the formatting lines can be used. There is no one format that is universally accepted.
Revising
Style is one element of revising which means, “the way in which an idea is expressed." This includes the writer’s word choice, the way they form sentences and paragraphs with those words and setting the overall tone. In choosing the right words, we must keep in mind accuracy, familiarity, and specificity, and avoid dangling expressions and clichés, slang, and jargon. One must avoid “space-eaters,” wordy expressions, redundancy, and more. In short, one must make every word count. These things can mean the difference between a message that achieves its goal, and one that does not.
The chart below provided by The Canyon Group shows another approach to effective business writing
Guidelines for Effective Business Writing: Four Simple Rules
unnecessary words and paragraphs. The key to
making writing concise is proofreading and editing.
follow your recommendations through the cumulative
weight of your clearly expressed arguments.
target reader in a way that seems natural, not forced.
Jargon from your business is explained or eliminated.
and understand. This means no long paragraphs, and
frequent “visual breaks” like pictures or this table.
Sentence Length
The mere length of sentences may seem relatively unimportant, however it is "one of the most important points in mastering effective expression." Sentences that are too long are inefficient because the piling of ideas causes the reader to "loose his way." On the other hand, strings of chopped, simple sentences are equally as bad, because the relation between consecutive sentences becomes difficult to see. The most effective writing uses varied sentence length and structure to keep the writing interesting and efficient.
Sentence Structure
To create strong sentences they need to be concise, varied, and focused which will make your sentences look more professional.
Try to vary your sentences by using at least three different types:
Being Concise
Business writing should avoid the use of metaphors, according to an article by Forbes magazine. The use of metaphors can lead to an unclear message. When writing for business purposes, the author should try to use language which is very literal in order to avoid having the recipient question what the author wants accomplished.
The Four Features of Concise Writing
1. Clear Structure
2. Clear Topic Sentences
3. Short Paragraphs
4. Cumulative Reasoning and Flow
Being persuasive in business writing
Although the video clip deals with the difference between effective communication and being persuasive, many of the principles can be applied to business writing as well.
One good point the speaker in the clip makes is to try to take things a step further from being effective communication to being persuasive. Being persuasive in business writing is important because
you are limited to what is written, unlike with face to face communication where you can be present to answer all questions at the moment and quell any apprehensions the receiver of the message may have and can also use body language and vocal tone to help convey trustworthiness. It must be clear and to the point in order to make the most impact upon the reader.
a lot of communication in business seeks to solve a problem, it is the authors responsibility to draft a message that will lead the receiver to take action (preferably one that achieves the results desired by the sender.)
All business communication involves persuasion in one way or another. "Persuasion is the process of motivating someone to take a specific action or support a particular idea."
In writing a persuasive message, one wants to convince their reader/s that they have the best point of view. In order to do this one must create their message with the audience in mind, support their point of view with convincing reasons, and predict and defuse or disarm any opposition.
In dealing with superiors or an objective audience, the direct plan, with the major idea first, should be used, In dealing with subordinates, colleagues, and people outside of the company, the indirect plan should be employed, in which the reader’s attention is gained first. Whichever style one chooses, they must create interest and justify their response by backing up their argument, and using a logical, reasonable, sincere and objective tone. In any request there may be negative aspects. It is important not to ignore these or other obstacles, and to spend a space in the middle of the discussion devoted to the topic. Finally, late in the message should come the specific request; this makes the action clear and easy for the reader to take. In making the request, one should use a confident tone and should not apologize or excuse.
Instructions on how to write a persuasive business message:
A Better Way to Approach Business Writing
Remember that:
1. Business readers are content driven
2. They are time pressed
3. They are in search of solutions
Business readers like writing that is clear, but writers are supposed to make their information sound good.
Clarity
Clarity is "the essential ingredient that links writing to your company's revenue." Most overwritten business documents are written to impress, rather than to communicate. Business writing should avoid the use of metaphors, according to an article by Forbes magazine. The use of metaphors can lead to an unclear message. When writing for business purposes, the author should try to use language which is very literal in order to avoid having the recipient question what the author wants accomplished.
The use of special characters
Avoid using exclamation points. Most of the articles agree that if exclamation points are used they should be used sparingly and limited to only one following the end of a sentence. While it may be hard to convey enthusiasm through writing, using three exclamation points at the end of a sentence should be avoided as it can appear unprofessional, too casual, or as if it were “yelling” at the reader. A writer should find different ways to show that they are excited such as, using an active voice to show that they are engaged in the topic, being mindful of the tone they portray in their writing, using words that are synonymous for feelings of excitement or enthusiasm.
Parenthesis, comas, semi-colons, and the like should be used only in the manner they are intended to be used for. They should not be used to create “smileys” and other emoticons when preparing a business related document, even if the work environment is casual. While a work environment may be casual or informal, writers should take care to avoid using emoticons in their messages especially if the message may be forwarded to someone outside of the group who expects to receive a more formal message.
Routine Messages
This type of correspondence is typical for managers to perform. Routine messages should follow the direct organizational plan because the reader is probably interested in the message contents and won’t require persuasion. There are a few different types of routine messages:
In a routine request, the reader will readily do what is asked without persuasion. The format of this letter has the main idea first, the explanation and details in the middle, and a friendly closing at the end.
A routine reply is written to provide requested information comply with the original request. One should reply promptly and courteously.
A routine claim letter is written by the buyer to the seller; the buyer seeks action to correct a problem with the product or service. A claim letter should be courteous, confident, and detailed, and explain specifically what the company can do to restore the buyer’s trust.
The response to a routine claim letter is a routine adjustment letter. This letter uses neutral and positive language, and uses a confident and gracious tone. If the company is at fault, the letter should include an apology, and if the customer is at fault, an impersonal and tactful explanation should be given.
Writing in E-mail
E-mail is important in today’s business environment.
The video clip above summarizes a lot of the points which follow.
Several sources agree that the subject line is one of the most important parts of an e-mail. The subject line should never be left blank. A blank subject line can cause a recipient to hit delete because they do not know if the e-mail is meant for them or may pass it off as spam. A blank subject line can also convey laziness or lack of attention to detail. One author points out that one should avoid the use of subject lines containing words such as “Urgent” “Read immediately” and “Important” because the matter may not necessarily be urgent or important to the recipient. Another author points out that the subject line should take advantage of the fact that it will be the first thing that is seen by the recipient. The subject line should paint a short clear picture about what the rest of the e-mail will be about. It should catch the reader’s attention and put them on the right track before they even open your e-mail, one author argues.
E-mail is becoming a dominant form of workplace communication, but not everybody understands how to use it in the most effective ways. Many employees put a lot of effort into creating or maintaining a positive impression. This is one reason why there has been a lot of research focusing on impression management in the organizational setting (an example would be managing relations with managers). Many of these impression management opportunities happened in a face-to-face context, but now there is a lot of organizational communication happening through e-mail.
*Impression management explains that either through habit or conscioius manipulation, people try to control how they appear to themselves and others.
-"Perceptions are shaped by each individual's image, attitude, work, interpersonal skills, and communication, both oral and written." (Frederick, 2006, p.46)
-People often judge the message that is sent and use these judgments to evaluate the sender.
People can evaluate others based on the quality of their e-mail.
Those that send grammatically correct e-mails are viewed as:
Friendlier
More likeable
Took care in editing the message
Care about their recipient
Receivers are also more likely to want to work with someone who sends a grammatically correct e-mail versus a person that did not.
Research has showed that e-mail style including salutations, grammar, and word use is different from a formal letter. By writing informal e-mails, there have been concerns for communication overload. This problem is also linked to impression management and the different perspectives that workers have on how they should be using e-mail.
There are some books that tell people to disregard sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation while writing e-mails since “no one reads e-mail with red pen in hand”. There are other books that say e-mail messages should be written using rules similar to standard English grammar.
A workplace email consideration is that we have four different generations working together. All four generations have different expectations and concerns on how to use e-mail as a form of communication between employees.
-Many younger business people use e-mail more often and they are more likely to violate organizational email style and structure expectations. Unfortunately, this can lead to damaging effects on their careers.
-College graduates that send improper and informal e-mails in their professional careers will give off a negative impression of themselves to their employer, colleagues, and clients.
Example of an informal e-mail:
i read chapter 9 and attended class but i still dont understand parts of it. i didnt do well on the last
exam and i think i need some help. r u going 2 b in your office this afternoon. can i come by if
you are.
Example of a formal e-mail:
Dear Dr. Smith,
I read chapter 9 and attended class, but I still don’t understand parts of it. I didn’t do well on the
last exam and I think I need some help. Are you going to be in your office this afternoon? Would I be able to
come by if you are?
Sincerely,
Joe Doe
Improving Formal Style in E-mail
Treat e-mail as an opportunity to put your best foot forward.
The idea of style in written communication is seen through message organization, use of salutations, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word use.
Training people can improve how they effectively use subject lines and write clearer e-mails.
Business Writing Tips : How to Write an Employment Contract
Operating Agreements & Templates
An Operating Agreement describes the Internal rules and regulations of the organization. For setting up your company, you have to have a set of rules and regulations that you formally agree to with the business. Basically all of the agreements & functionalities signed by all the partners of the company. The narrator, then explains the seriousness of an "Operating Agreement." Anyone who needs a general layout can download a Template online to see how a "Operating Agreement" should look.
The video reassured the seriousness of business writing and spoke briefly on downloading a template.
Template - Computing a preset format for a document or files, used so taht the format does not have to be recreated each time used.
If you are ever unsure of how a Business Document is supposed to be formatted or may look, you can always search for PDF. templates. This can save you a lot of time and uncertainties.
[Example]
Downloadable Operating Agreement Template
Tips
Know who you are writing for; tailor your writing to your recipient for example: your boss, coworker, client, or subordinate.
Be concise; avoid using too many words which may result in an unclear message.
Avoid using technical jargon for the sake of looking smart, use it only when necessary with appropriate audiences who understand the significance.
Use an active voice; it is usually more direct and helps portray confidence.
Check your spelling and revise your message if necessary.
References
Corrigan, R., & Stephens, K. (2007). The effect of formal style and written medium type of message attitude and perceptions of sender's source credibility. National Communication Association, 1-30.
Dillion, S (2004, December 7). What Corporate America Cannot Build: A Sentence. New York Times.
Lee, James M. (1920). Business Writing. New York: The Ronald press company.
Ober, S. (2009). The Writing Process. Contemporary business communication (pp. 106-122). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Revising your writing. Contemporary business communication (pp. 138-166) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Routine Messages. Contemporary business communication (pp. 180-200) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ober, S. (2009). Persuasive Messages. Contemporary business communication (pp. 218-238) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Raymond, C. H. (1921). Modern business writing: a study of the principles underlying effective advertisements and business letters. Michigan: The Century co.
Weeks, H. (2005). The best memo you'll ever write. Harvard Management Communication Letter, 2(2), 3-5.
Lefkowith, D. Guidlines for Effective Business Writing: Concise, Persuasive, Correct in Tone and "Inviting to Read." Whatmakesagreatmanager. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from
http://www.whatmakesagreatmanager.com/downloads/buswrtg.pdf
Forbes. (2010). In Pictures: 10 Tips for Better Business Writing. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from
http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/03/better-business-writing-leadership-careers-tips_slide_2.html?thisspeed=25000
Heaps, S. Effective Business Writing: Tips, Tricks, and Advice. Writeexpress. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from http://www.writeexpress.com/effective-business-writing.html
Jerz, D. G. (2010). Writing Effective E-Mail: Top 10 Tips. Setonhill. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/etext/e-mail.htm
Thinksimplenow. (2008). 15 Tips for Writing Effective Email. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from http://thinksimplenow.com/productivity/15-tips-for-writing-effective-email/
Emailreplies. Rules for Effective Email Replies. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from http://www.emailreplies.com/
Cullen, M. (2009). Jargon and Business Writing Clarity. Instructionalsolutions. Retrieved December, 20, 2010, from
http://www.instructionalsolutions.com/business-writing-tips/bid/33957/Jargon-and-Business-Writing-Clarity
video links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78aH0WJ-O8o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwpJl_7vaj0&feature=related
Contributors
Angelica, Erika, Justin, Stephen
Business Writing - Section 1 (Week 11)
Names & E-Mails of everyone in the group
Justin
juduran@eden.rutgers.edu
Stephen
sgendlek@eden.rutgers.edu
Angelica
causinga@eden.rutgers.edu
Erika
remachee@eden.rutgers.edu
Business Writing Tips : How to Write an Employment Contract
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wi-IvpF6xs
Business Writing Tips : How to Write an Operating Agreement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oPvw7vD580
More on the actual Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/eHow
This article has a slide show which gets right to the point of some ways to improve business writing. -Erika
http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/03/better-business-writing-leadership-careers-tips_slide_2.html?thisspeed=25000
This pdf has some charts which present the information in a manner which is easy to refer to. -Erika
http://www.whatmakesagreatmanager.com/downloads/buswrtg.pdf