doherty university | effective business writing teaser

Effective Business Writing

WELCME TO DOHERTY EMPLOYMENT GROUP!

PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS WRITING

1. Understand business writing basics2. Have a clear purpose3. Organize the writing to benefit the reader4. Use appropriate words5. Write clear and simple sentences6. Edit and format


KEYS TO BEING CONCISE

• Eliminate redundant sentences/words• Shorten wordy sentences

−Twitter rule: every sentence should be 140 characters

or less• Use words that your readers will understand• Avoid starting multiple sentences with the same

word – “I”• List items in columns or with bullets• Make action items obvious


E-MAIL ETIQUETTE

• Write a meaningful subject line• Messages should be concise and to the point• Answer all questions to preempt further questions• Make it personal while remaining professional• Tone and intent

−Politeness is the key• Use plain text formatting• No shaded or artisanal backgrounds


WRONG WORDS

• Myself • Your vs. you’re• Possessive vs. plural

− Employee’s vs. employees

• Weather vs. whether• Loose vs. lose• Do vs. due

• There vs. their• Or vs. nor• It’s vs. its• In regards to• Ensure, assure, insure• Affect vs. effect


PUNCTUATION

• Comma

−With the word “and”

• To my parents, Britney Spears and God

• To my parents, Britney Spears, and God

• Semicolon• Spaces between sentences

−1 space or 2 spaces


CONCLUSION

Being able to communicate in a professional manner through e-mail and other forms of business writing is essential to employee and company success!

Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding Effective Business Writing or other organizational development questions.

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