{"id":82,"date":"2014-07-25T21:39:06","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/englishforbusiness\/?post_type=chapter&p=82"},"modified":"2015-02-06T19:49:42","modified_gmt":"2015-02-06T19:49:42","slug":"chapter-9-effective-business-writing","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hccc-businesscommunication\/chapter\/chapter-9-effective-business-writing\/","title":{"raw":"Getting Started: Effective Business Writing","rendered":"Getting Started: Effective Business Writing"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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However great\u2026natural talent may be, the art of writing cannot be learned all at once.<\/p>\r\n

-Jean-Jacques Rousseau<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n
Read, read, read\u2026Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master.\r\n\r\n-William Faulkner\r\n\r\n <\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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You only learn to be a better writer by actually writing.\r\n\r\n-Doris Lessing<\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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<\/h2>\r\n \r\n
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INTRODUCTORY\u00a0EXERCISES<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n

1. Take a moment to write three words that describe your success in writing.<\/p>\r\n

2. Make a list of words that you associate with writing. Compare your list with those of your classmates.<\/p>\r\n

3. Briefly describe your experience writing and include one link to something you like to read in your post.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n

<\/h2>\r\n
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Something we often hear in business is, \u201cGet it in writing.\u201d This advice is meant to prevent misunderstandings based on what one person thought the other person said. But does written communication\u2014getting it in writing\u2014always prevent misunderstandings?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nAccording to a Washington Post<\/em> news story, a written agreement would have been helpful to an airline customer named Mike. A victim of an airport mishap, Mike was given vouchers for $7,500 worth of free travel. However, in accordance with the airline\u2019s standard policy, the vouchers were due to expire in twelve months. When Mike saw that he and his wife would not be able to do enough flying to use the entire amount before the expiration date, he called the airline and asked for an extension. He was told the airline would extend the deadline, but later discovered they were willing to do so at only 50 percent of the vouchers\u2019 value. An airline spokesman told the newspaper, \u201cIf [Mike] can produce a letter stating that we would give the full value of the vouchers, he should produce it\u201d (Oldenburg, 2005, p. C10).\r\n\r\nYet, as we will see in this chapter, putting something in writing is not always a foolproof way to ensure accuracy and understanding. A written communication is only as accurate as the writer\u2019s knowledge of the subject and audience, and understanding depends on how well the writer captures the reader\u2019s attention.\r\n\r\nThis chapter addresses the written word in a business context. We will also briefly consider the symbols, design, font, timing, and related nonverbal expressions you make when composing a page or document. Our discussions will focus on effective communication of your thoughts and ideas through writing that is clear, concise, and efficient.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n ","rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n

However great\u2026natural talent may be, the art of writing cannot be learned all at once.<\/p>\n

-Jean-Jacques Rousseau<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Read, read, read\u2026Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master.<\/p>\n

-William Faulkner<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

You only learn to be a better writer by actually writing.<\/p>\n

-Doris Lessing<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

INTRODUCTORY\u00a0EXERCISES<\/h3>\n
\n

1. Take a moment to write three words that describe your success in writing.<\/p>\n

2. Make a list of words that you associate with writing. Compare your list with those of your classmates.<\/p>\n

3. Briefly describe your experience writing and include one link to something you like to read in your post.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n
\n

Something we often hear in business is, \u201cGet it in writing.\u201d This advice is meant to prevent misunderstandings based on what one person thought the other person said. But does written communication\u2014getting it in writing\u2014always prevent misunderstandings?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

According to a Washington Post<\/em> news story, a written agreement would have been helpful to an airline customer named Mike. A victim of an airport mishap, Mike was given vouchers for $7,500 worth of free travel. However, in accordance with the airline\u2019s standard policy, the vouchers were due to expire in twelve months. When Mike saw that he and his wife would not be able to do enough flying to use the entire amount before the expiration date, he called the airline and asked for an extension. He was told the airline would extend the deadline, but later discovered they were willing to do so at only 50 percent of the vouchers\u2019 value. An airline spokesman told the newspaper, \u201cIf [Mike] can produce a letter stating that we would give the full value of the vouchers, he should produce it\u201d (Oldenburg, 2005, p. C10).<\/p>\n

Yet, as we will see in this chapter, putting something in writing is not always a foolproof way to ensure accuracy and understanding. A written communication is only as accurate as the writer\u2019s knowledge of the subject and audience, and understanding depends on how well the writer captures the reader\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

This chapter addresses the written word in a business context. We will also briefly consider the symbols, design, font, timing, and related nonverbal expressions you make when composing a page or document. Our discussions will focus on effective communication of your thoughts and ideas through writing that is clear, concise, and efficient.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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