Business and Professional Writing: A Basic Guide - Second Edition

Description

Straightforward, practical, and focused on realistic examples, Business and Professional Writing: A Basic Guide is an introduction to the fundamentals of professional writing. The book emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and plain language. Guidelines and templates for business correspondence, formal and informal reports, brochures and press releases, and oral presentations are included. Exercises guide readers through the process of creating and revising each genre, and helpful tips, reminders, and suggested resources beyond the book are provided throughout. The second edition includes new sections on information security and ethics in business writing. New formal proposal examples have been added, and the text has been updated throughout. Acknowledgments Preface Introduction to Business and Professional Writing Part I The Basics of Strong Writing Chapter 1 Plain Language Business Communication versus Academic Writing Plain Language Exercises Chapter 2 The Seven Cs of Good Professional Communication Introduction 1. Clear 2. Concise 3. Concrete and Specific 4. Complete 5. Courteous 6. Coherent Exercise: Identifying Transitions 7. Constructive Conclusion Quiz on the Seven Cs Chapter 3 The Eighth C: Learning Grammar Language Introduction Grammar Language Parts of Speech Sentences and Clauses Conjunctions Clauses and Conjunctions Determine Punctuation Punctuation Review of Commas, Semicolons, and Colons Quiz on Punctuation Grammar Odds and Ends Quick Quiz Conclusion Quiz #1 on Grammar Quiz #2 on Grammar Quiz #3 on Clauses Chapter 4 Copy-Editing Introduction: What Is Copy-Editing? Using Spellcheck Other Copy-Editing Tasks Copy-Editing Symbols Using a Word Processor for Copy-Editing Conclusion Copy-Editing Exercise Part II Document Design Chapter 5 Basic Document Design Introduction: The Importance of Good Document Design Modular Design Lists List Review Exercise on Lists Headings Headings Review Graphics Graphics Review Summing Up Chapter 6 Formatting for Correspondence Introduction Memos and Emails Memo Exercise Letters Letter Exercise Correspondence Review Part III Correspondence Chapter 7 Emails and Memos Introduction Emails and Memos Emails Memos Faxes and Scans Chapter 8 Letters: Good News, Neutral, and Bad News Introduction Good-News and Neutral Letters Bad-News Letters Bad-News Letter Review Bad-News Letter Exercises Chapter 9 Persuasive Letters Introduction Three Rhetorical Techniques AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) Persuasive Communication Ethics Persuasive Letter Review Exercise Part IV Writing for a Job Chapter 10 Cover Letters Introduction The Cover Letter Conclusion Exercise Chapter 11 Résumés Introduction Reverse Chronological Résumé Functional Résumé Combined Chronological and Functional Résumé Electronic or Scannable Résumé Conclusion Exercises Part V Promotional Materials Chapter 12 News Releases Introduction News Releases Exercise Follow-Up Questions and Exercises Chapter 13 Brochures Introduction Brochures Are AIDA Documents Conclusion Exercises Chapter 14 Promotion on the Web Introduction Creating a Website Social Media Exercise Part VI Oral Presentations Chapter 15 Individual Oral Presentations Introduction Individual Presentations Individual Presentation Checklist Exercises Chapter 16 Group Presentations Introduction Preparation Content Delivery Group Presentation Checklist Exercise Part VII Reports Chapter 17 Informal Reports INTRODUCTION PROGRESS REPORTS PROBLEM-SOLVING REPORTS INCIDENT REPORTS PROPOSAL REPORTS CONCLUSION DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Exercises Chapter 18 Formal Reports INTRODUCTION FORMAL REPORT DESIGN FORMAL REPORT FORMATTING FORMAL PROPOSALS SURVEYS Exercises on Surveys and Graphs MINUTES CONCLUSION FORMAL REPORT CHECKLIST DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Exercise 1: A Formal Proposal Report Exercise 2: An Analytical Report Chapter 19 Formal Proposal Report Example Chapter 20 Formal Report Example Appendix Answers to Exercises INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 12 Permissions Acknowledgments Index