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Chapter 9 Business Writing in Action

Men won’t read any email from a woman that’s over 200 words long.

Douglas Coupland

Letter writing is an excellent way of slowing down this lunatic helterskelter universe long enough to gather one’s thoughts.

Nick Bantock

Getting Started

Introductory Exercise

  1. Review the different kinds of common business communication writing covered by the main headings in this chapter. Make a note of which kinds of documents you have produced in the past and which you have not. For example, have you written many memos but not a business report? Share and compare with classmates.

Business communication in written form requires skill and expertise. From text messages to reports, how you represent yourself with the written word counts. Writing in an online environment requires tact and skill, and an awareness that what you write may be there forever. From memos to letters, from business proposals to press releases, your written business communication represents you and your company: your goal is to make it clear, concise, and professional.