Writing for Business MOOC
Business Communication for Career Readiness
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 3: Word Choice Learning Objectives
• Learn colloquialisms and non standard language that is inappropriate for business writing • Learn how to address commonly used acronyms and jargon • Learn to simplify language through straightforward sentence structure and use of high impact words.
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at”
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at” • Use contractions if they sound natural
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at” • Use contractions if they sound natural • Watch out for homonyms, words with various forms and other commonly confused words
Activity • Review “Correcting Commonly Confused Words” • http://grammar.about.com/od/correctingerr ors/a/comblogs03.htm
Avoid Acronyms
Avoid Jargon
• • • • • •
Business Jargon Bottom line Spearhead Insourcing Low hanging fruit Bandwidth In the red
• • • • • •
Computer Jargon User friendly Bug Robust Blog Tweeted Ubiquitous
Use High Impact Words
• Strong, impactful word choices • Retain true meaning • Avoid simplistic modifiers
A Few General Rules 1. Don’t use multiple words when you can use one 2. Stick to idiomatic English 3. Don’t drop articles 4. Remove words that aren’t performing a real function
• Delete unnecessary prepositions • Change “-ion” works to a verb • Replace “is”, “as”, “are”, “was” and “were” with stronger verbs • Change “was hanging” to “hung” • Change “is indicative of” to “indicates • Eliminate Padding!!!
High Impact Business Writing Module 1
with Sue Robins, M.S.
Lesson 3: Word Choice Learning Objectives
• Learn colloquialisms and non standard language that is inappropriate for business writing • Learn how to address commonly used acronyms and jargon • Learn to simplify language through straightforward sentence structure and use of high impact words.
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at”
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at” • Use contractions if they sound natural
Language • Avoid nonstandard vocabulary and colloquialisms • Do not end sentences with “at” • Use contractions if they sound natural • Watch out for homonyms, words with various forms and other commonly confused words
Activity • Review “Correcting Commonly Confused Words” • http://grammar.about.com/od/correctingerr ors/a/comblogs03.htm
Avoid Acronyms
Avoid Jargon
• • • • • •
Business Jargon Bottom line Spearhead Insourcing Low hanging fruit Bandwidth In the red
• • • • • •
Computer Jargon User friendly Bug Robust Blog Tweeted Ubiquitous
Use High Impact Words
• Strong, impactful word choices • Retain true meaning • Avoid simplistic modifiers
A Few General Rules 1. Don’t use multiple words when you can use one 2. Stick to idiomatic English 3. Don’t drop articles 4. Remove words that aren’t performing a real function
• Delete unnecessary prepositions • Change “-ion” works to a verb • Replace “is”, “as”, “are”, “was” and “were” with stronger verbs • Change “was hanging” to “hung” • Change “is indicative of” to “indicates • Eliminate Padding!!!
