Writing for Business MOOC
Business Communication for Career Readiness
High Impact Business Writing Module 2
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 3: Sentences Learning Objectives
• Know general rules for creating sentences in a business environment • List the parts of a sentence • List the types of sentences and their appropriate uses • Understand parallel structure and its importance
Sentences When writing sentences we want to keep a few things in mind:
• • • • •
Be specific Provide definitions Ensure accuracy Use active voice Conversational style
Ensure Accuracy • The panda eats, shoots and leaves. • The panda eats, shoots, and leaves. • The panda eats shoots and leaves.
Choose the correct form of the sentence: a) Afterwards, we had to help unsaddle the horses and carry them to the shed. b) Afterwards, we had to help unsaddle the horses and carry the saddles to the shed. c) After we had to unsaddle the horses and carry them to the shed. d) After we unsaddled the horses, we carried them to the shed.
Parts of a Sentence • Two parts to a sentence • Complete sentences have a subject and a predicate
Parts of a Sentence • Two parts to a sentence • Complete sentences have a subject and a predicate “The committee has approved the bylaws.” Subject: the committee Predicate: “has approved the by-laws”
Types of Sentences Declarative • The picnic will feature a boxed lunch and beverages. Interrogative • Would you like to have water with your meal? Imperative • All swimmers are expected to bring their own swim fins. Exclamatory • I love Fridays!
Parallel Structure • Similar content and function • Follows a pattern • Avoid excessive repetition
Parallel Structure Example 1: • “Your child will be required to think things through and be able to articulate and write out the “why” behind their answer; including being able to cite evidence, make arguments, and defending the answer.” • “Your child will be required to think things through and be able to articulate and write out the “why” behind their answer; including being able to cite evidence, make arguments, and defend the answer.”
Parallel Structure Example 2: “By taking these small steps, you will be helping your child become successful both in and outside the classroom.” “By taking these small steps, you will be helping your child become successful both inside and outside the classroom.”
High Impact Business Writing Module 2
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 3: Sentences Learning Objectives
• Know general rules for creating sentences in a business environment • List the parts of a sentence • List the types of sentences and their appropriate uses • Understand parallel structure and its importance
Sentences When writing sentences we want to keep a few things in mind:
• • • • •
Be specific Provide definitions Ensure accuracy Use active voice Conversational style
Ensure Accuracy • The panda eats, shoots and leaves. • The panda eats, shoots, and leaves. • The panda eats shoots and leaves.
Choose the correct form of the sentence: a) Afterwards, we had to help unsaddle the horses and carry them to the shed. b) Afterwards, we had to help unsaddle the horses and carry the saddles to the shed. c) After we had to unsaddle the horses and carry them to the shed. d) After we unsaddled the horses, we carried them to the shed.
Parts of a Sentence • Two parts to a sentence • Complete sentences have a subject and a predicate
Parts of a Sentence • Two parts to a sentence • Complete sentences have a subject and a predicate “The committee has approved the bylaws.” Subject: the committee Predicate: “has approved the by-laws”
Types of Sentences Declarative • The picnic will feature a boxed lunch and beverages. Interrogative • Would you like to have water with your meal? Imperative • All swimmers are expected to bring their own swim fins. Exclamatory • I love Fridays!
Parallel Structure • Similar content and function • Follows a pattern • Avoid excessive repetition
Parallel Structure Example 1: • “Your child will be required to think things through and be able to articulate and write out the “why” behind their answer; including being able to cite evidence, make arguments, and defending the answer.” • “Your child will be required to think things through and be able to articulate and write out the “why” behind their answer; including being able to cite evidence, make arguments, and defend the answer.”
Parallel Structure Example 2: “By taking these small steps, you will be helping your child become successful both in and outside the classroom.” “By taking these small steps, you will be helping your child become successful both inside and outside the classroom.”
