Writing for Business MOOC
Business Communication for Career Readiness
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say? Learning Objectives
• Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say? Learning Objectives
• Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents • Learn and practice some strategies for achieving brevity and clarity in your writing
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say?
Learning Objectives • Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents • Learn and practice some strategies for achieving brevity and clarity in your writing • Know the purpose and structure of a good summary
Writing Style Best Practices • Consider how you will be perceived • Show value right away • Write as if you are in conversation, be natural • Show evidence, state facts • Easy to understand
Clarity
Clarity • Simple language • Avoid bizspeak – Look in resources for a list of bizspeak terms to avoid
Examples of bizspeak: • “At your earliest convenience”
Examples of bizspeak: “At your earliest convenience…” “In light of the fact that…” “As per our telephone conversation…” “Pursuant to your instructions…” “Please be advised that…” “Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation regarding this matter” • “Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding…” • • • • • •
“Fewer words capture more attention”
Be Brief, Polite, Informative 1. Get to the point 2. Active voice
3. Avoid fussy endings 4. Ruthless editing
Activity Choose the clearest and simplest form for each sentence. 1. As per our telephone conversation today, and at your earliest convenience, please know that the CFO of the CIA at CC is on board with everything and thinks it will be awesome. – As we discussed this afternoon, our Chief Financial Officer, Jane Smiley, agrees that the Culinary Institute of America in Culver City would be an excellent partner in the “Food for Kids” project. – The CC CIA’s CFO thinks you rock!!! 2. Enclosed is the estimate for replacing the bubbler. – Here is the estimate for replacing the champagne refrigerator. – Here is the estimate for replacing the water fountain. – Here is the estimate for replacing the garden sprinkler. 3. It was kind of cold in town and there was a storm forming over the ocean. – A cold storm hit the ocean. – There was a storm coming in off the ocean and it was cold. – Cold descended on the city as a storm brewed over the ocean. 4. I implore you to refrain from chewing on, consuming, biting or otherwise ingesting the bellis perennis aka the common daisy. – Please don’t eat the daisies. – Do not chew, eat, bite, or ingesting the bellis perennis. – Eating daisies can be deleterious to your health.
Summarizing • Focused and specific • Get to the point • 5 W’s: Who, What When, Where, Why • Write summary last
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say? Learning Objectives
• Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say? Learning Objectives
• Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents • Learn and practice some strategies for achieving brevity and clarity in your writing
Lesson 2: What are you trying to say?
Learning Objectives • Know best practices in language, style, format in business documents • Learn and practice some strategies for achieving brevity and clarity in your writing • Know the purpose and structure of a good summary
Writing Style Best Practices • Consider how you will be perceived • Show value right away • Write as if you are in conversation, be natural • Show evidence, state facts • Easy to understand
Clarity
Clarity • Simple language • Avoid bizspeak – Look in resources for a list of bizspeak terms to avoid
Examples of bizspeak: • “At your earliest convenience”
Examples of bizspeak: “At your earliest convenience…” “In light of the fact that…” “As per our telephone conversation…” “Pursuant to your instructions…” “Please be advised that…” “Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation regarding this matter” • “Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding…” • • • • • •
“Fewer words capture more attention”
Be Brief, Polite, Informative 1. Get to the point 2. Active voice
3. Avoid fussy endings 4. Ruthless editing
Activity Choose the clearest and simplest form for each sentence. 1. As per our telephone conversation today, and at your earliest convenience, please know that the CFO of the CIA at CC is on board with everything and thinks it will be awesome. – As we discussed this afternoon, our Chief Financial Officer, Jane Smiley, agrees that the Culinary Institute of America in Culver City would be an excellent partner in the “Food for Kids” project. – The CC CIA’s CFO thinks you rock!!! 2. Enclosed is the estimate for replacing the bubbler. – Here is the estimate for replacing the champagne refrigerator. – Here is the estimate for replacing the water fountain. – Here is the estimate for replacing the garden sprinkler. 3. It was kind of cold in town and there was a storm forming over the ocean. – A cold storm hit the ocean. – There was a storm coming in off the ocean and it was cold. – Cold descended on the city as a storm brewed over the ocean. 4. I implore you to refrain from chewing on, consuming, biting or otherwise ingesting the bellis perennis aka the common daisy. – Please don’t eat the daisies. – Do not chew, eat, bite, or ingesting the bellis perennis. – Eating daisies can be deleterious to your health.
Summarizing • Focused and specific • Get to the point • 5 W’s: Who, What When, Where, Why • Write summary last
