The Writing Process and an Introduction to Business Messages
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Transcript of The Writing Process and an Introduction to Business Messages
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The Writing Process and an Introduction to Business Messages
chapter fivechapter five
McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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OverviewOverview
The Writing Process The Importance of Readable Formatting The Main Types of Business Messages
– Letters– Memorandums– Email – Text messaging– Instant messaging
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The Process of Writing The Process of Writing (1 of 4)(1 of 4)
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The Process of Writing The Process of Writing (2 of 4)(2 of 4)
Planning the Message– Gathering and collecting information– Analyzing and organizing the information– Choosing a form, channel, and format
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The Process of Writing The Process of Writing (3 of 4)(3 of 4)
Drafting the Message– Avoid perfectionism– Keep going– Use any other strategies that you find helpful
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The Process of Writing The Process of Writing (4 of 4)(4 of 4)
Revising– Revision– Editing– Proofreading
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The Importance of The Importance of Readable FormattingReadable Formatting
Avoid a daunting-looking document Use formatting devices to enhance readability
and comprehension, such as . . .– White space– Headings– Typographical emphasis (boldface, etc.)– Bulleted lists– Diagrams and pictures
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Traditional LettersTraditional Letters
The oldest form Their format (Appendix B) Their level of formality Their usual audience (external)
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Memorandums Are Internal Messages Memorandums Are Internal Messages (within a company)(within a company)
Email is fast taking over. Typically they have a distinctive form:
– Date, To, From Subject– Sometimes Department, Territory, Store Number,
Copies to
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Memorandums Vary Widely Memorandums Vary Widely in Formalityin Formality
Some are casual. Some are formal. Most are in between.
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Techniques for Writing MemorandumsTechniques for Writing Memorandums
Techniques for writing short, simple messages are much like those for informal email.
Longer, more formal messages should follow the advice in Chapters 6-8.
They are usually written in the direct pattern But if on sensitive topics, they may use the
indirect order.
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EmailEmail
Explosive recent growth And the growth to continue
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Advantages of EmailAdvantages of Email
Eliminates telephone tag Saves time Speeds up decision making Cheap Provides a written record
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Disadvantages of EmailDisadvantages of Email
Not confidential No authoritative signature Doesn’t show emotion May be ignored
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Structure of Email Structure of Email (1 of 3)(1 of 3)
Standardized elements– To– Cc– Bcc– Subject– Attachments– Message
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Structure of Email Structure of Email (2 of 3)(2 of 3)
The beginning– Name of recipient (first name if acquainted)– Generic greeting sometimes used (“Greetings”)– Letter salutations rarely used– Purpose, company sometimes useful
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Structure of Email Structure of Email (3 of 3)(3 of 3)
Message organization– As a general rule, most important information
first, with the rest in descending order.– More complex messages organized by the plans to
be studied.– Can resemble business reports.
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Formality of Email WritingFormality of Email Writing
Range is from highly formal to highly informal. Three general writing styles:
– Casual– Informal– Formal
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Casual Writing—Acceptable Casual Writing—Acceptable Between AcquaintancesBetween Acquaintances
Highly informal Example: “Hi ole buddy! Read your super
proposal. IMHO, it’s in the bank.”
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Informal WritingInformal Writing
Retains some casual qualities (personal pronouns, contractions)
Corresponds to proper conversation Example: “I’ve read your excellent proposal. I
predict the administrators will approve it.”
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Formal WritingFormal Writing
Maintains distance between writer and reader. Avoids personal references and contractions. Example: “The proposal is excellent. The
executives are likely to approve it.”
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General Email Writing Considerations General Email Writing Considerations (1 (1 of 4)of 4)
Conciseness– Make the sentences short—only the essentials.– Use words economically.– Paraphrase previous messages concisely.– Quote selectively.
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General Email Writing Considerations General Email Writing Considerations (2 (2 of 4)of 4)
Clarity– Practice clear writing techniques.– Review preceding chapters.
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General Email Writing Considerations General Email Writing Considerations (3 (3 of 4)of 4)
Etiquette– Be courteous and fair.– Avoid “flaming” (anger displays).– Practice courtesy techniques (as presented in
Chapter 4).
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General Email Writing Considerations General Email Writing Considerations (4 (4 of 4)of 4)
Correctness– Email’s fast pace often leads to incorrect writing.– Avoid sloppy writing.– Error-filled writing conveys ignorance.
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Closing the Email MessageClosing the Email Message
Usually just the writer's name is sufficient. In more formal messages, closing statement
may be appropriate (“Thanks,” “Regards”). Traditional letter closes (“Sincerely”)
sometimes used in formal messages.
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Emphasis Devices Sometimes Used in Emphasis Devices Sometimes Used in EmailEmail
Some computer limitations make them desirable.
The common devices are font variations, italics, bold type, color, asterisks, dashes, solid caps.
But use them primarily in casual writing.
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Use Initialisms with Caution.Use Initialisms with Caution.
Some stand initialisms have developed For example:
– BTW– FYI– FAQ– TTFN– TIA– LOL
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Text MessagingText Messaging
A recent form of business communication Began as short message services (SMS)
– By mobile phone users– Using handsets with text merging capability
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Uses of Text MessagingUses of Text Messaging
Mostly non-business uses But has some business use (promotions,
brand awareness, customer relations, etc.)
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Text Messaging in Email ProgramsText Messaging in Email Programs
Most carriers have websites where users can send text messages.
Typically they limit to 160 characters.– The result—abbreviated writing (b4, plz, gr8)– Need to take care
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Summary: The Writing of Text MessagesSummary: The Writing of Text Messages
Cover all critical information Keep it short Strive for clarity
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Instant MessagingInstant Messaging
Growing in popularity Like a typed phone conversation Needs to be adapted to the audience May be monitored
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“There is no great writing, only great rewriting.”
--Louis D. BrandeisJustice of the Supreme Court, 1916-
1939