Writing for Business MOOC
Business Communication for Career Readiness
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 1: Audience Learning Objectives
Lesson 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document
Lesson 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document • Know how tone and style of language affect the reader’s perception of your meaning
Lecture 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document • Know how tone and style of language affect the reader’s perception of your meaning • Learn strategies for ensuring the audience is able to understand your message
• Think about your goals and responsibilities
• Think about your goals and responsibilities • Remember your reader has lots of content to read
Your Job as a Writer…
Your Job as a Writer… • Prove the value of your document quickly
Starting your Document
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
3. Think about your audience
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
3. Think about your audience • Tailor your message appropriately
Who are you writing to? • The reader’s role in the organization or the relationship • Value to reader
Be clear about what they need to know Find out the manager’s perspective on topic
Writing for Senior Managers Ask questions about what they expect Review similar documents Find the manager’s content expectations Address primary concerns and questions
Writing for Large and Diverse Audiences
• Write for general public (well-educated, but not knowledgeable on the topic)
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise • Write like you are updating team member
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise • Write like you are updating team member • Avoid “tech-speak”
Point of View • Use the Reader’s Point of View • Say something valuable • Judge clarity
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 1: Audience Learning Objectives
Lesson 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document
Lesson 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document • Know how tone and style of language affect the reader’s perception of your meaning
Lecture 1: Audience
Learning Objectives • Learn how to ensure the reader acknowledges the value in reading your document • Know how tone and style of language affect the reader’s perception of your meaning • Learn strategies for ensuring the audience is able to understand your message
• Think about your goals and responsibilities
• Think about your goals and responsibilities • Remember your reader has lots of content to read
Your Job as a Writer…
Your Job as a Writer… • Prove the value of your document quickly
Starting your Document
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
3. Think about your audience
Starting your Document 1. Get right to the point •
Be polite, professional and focused
2. Make reading the material easy • Be clear, efficient and enjoyable • Be personable and friendly • Avoid overly formal language
3. Think about your audience • Tailor your message appropriately
Who are you writing to? • The reader’s role in the organization or the relationship • Value to reader
Be clear about what they need to know Find out the manager’s perspective on topic
Writing for Senior Managers Ask questions about what they expect Review similar documents Find the manager’s content expectations Address primary concerns and questions
Writing for Large and Diverse Audiences
• Write for general public (well-educated, but not knowledgeable on the topic)
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise • Write like you are updating team member
Tips for General Audience Writing • Be respectful, clear and concise • Write like you are updating team member • Avoid “tech-speak”
Point of View • Use the Reader’s Point of View • Say something valuable • Judge clarity
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
Tips for Tone • • • • • • • • •
Be likable and sound natural Avoid casualisms Avoid being overly formal and wordy Use names and personal pronouns Include courtesies State arguments positively Avoid sarcasm Use active voice Express goodwill by exhibiting concern for reader’s viewpoint • Assume their goodwill and cooperation • Be judicious with use of humor
