Business Writing Skills

No matter how much technology advances, the skill of articulating clearly, effectively, and professionally will always be valued highly. One reason it is difficult to communicate well in writing is that the words you choose are not accompanied by inflections, tone, facial expressions, and body language, as they are quite naturally during conversations. In writing, these supplemental vehicles for meaning are replaced by format, punctuation, vocabulary, and grammar—aspects of writing that, to most of us, do not come naturally. In the business world, what’s at stake isn’t just a miscommunication, it’s money. The ramifications for misinformation or a gruff tone result inevitably in slower productivity, fewer sales, and smaller profits. Within a corporation, the ramifications for unclear or indirect communication can rebuff your boss, misguide your coworker, or cause your own workload to increase. However, it also follows that successful writing—writing that is clear, descriptive, and to the point—can make a lasting impact on readers and empower individuals in the workplace. Business Writing Clear and Simple, a how-to book on effective business writing, defines the rules of business writing-including unspoken etiquette for how to handle more challenging situations—and clarifies them with real-life, illustrative writing samples. Introduction BUSINESS WRITING CLEAR AND SIMPLE vii 6023_BusinessWritingClear(fin) 8/16/07 2:36 PM Page x Because it is more and more common to conduct business on the Internet through email, blogs, and websites, as opposed to in person, it remains highly advantageous that people know how to write well. E-mail, which at its inception seemed best used like a telegram— short, concise messages, containing abbreviations and sometimes only lowercase letters—is now used to communicate just about anything to anyone for any reason. In business, e-mail is used for everything, from formal communications to informal conversations with colleagues to placing orders or doing customer outreach. Virtually all professional communication is digital now, and that means the way we communicate needs to be clear and adaptable as well. Despite the wide use of writing in today’s world, learning how to master the skill of busi-ness writing doesn’t have to be a difficult or overwhelming task. Learn the essential rules of writing provided here. Think about your reason for writing and your audience. Reread what you write. And keep Business Writing Clear and Simple as a reference guide to consult when you encounter unfamiliar business contexts in the future. You’ll find that as time goes by, you’ll become more and more familiar with the logic of the rules of writing and find yourself referring less and less to the book. However, even the best writers can’t keep all the rules in their heads; the mark of a good writer is someone who consults writing guides and resources when in doubt. Business Writing Clear and Simple is designed to: ■ boost writing confidence and skills ■ provide practical tips for a successful and positive writing style ■ offer readers a wide array of business writing samples ■ explain grammar rules in simple terms ■ allow members of today’s diverse workforce to sharpen their skills ■ save companies time, money, and energy ■ help starter businesses make a professional first impression ■ enable small, medium, and large corporations to communicate clearly ■ be the first comprehensive and cohesive business writing guide of its kind.