The Business Writer

The Business Writer functions both as a teaching tool and a lifelong reference to help students master the skills they need for effective workplace writing. The text's colorful, handbook-style design brings a fresh, new approach to teaching business writing by presenting material in one- or two-page spreads with bulleted lists, brief explanations, summary boxes, and graphic organizers that deliver information to readers quickly and clearly. Comprehensive and practical coverage--including a focus on the "Seven Traits of Effective Writing," detailed guidelines, models, and checklists--prepares students to complete a wide range of workplace writing tasks. In addition, a wealth of end-of-chapter exercises enables students to practice their writing skills, while helpful activities give students opportunities for effective oral communication.

Note: Chapters 1-44 conclude with a Checklist, Critical-Thinking Activities, and Writing Activities. I. Challenges for Workplace Writers Introduction: The Business of Writing The Practice of Workplace Communication The Transition from Academic to Workplace Writing Workplace Writing: First Principles The Business Writer's Code of Ethics 1. Using the Writing Process To Speak, Write, or Do Both The Process of Writing: An Overview Prewriting Drafting Revising Refining One Writer at Work Beating Writer's Block 2. Writing and Technology Guidelines for Learning New Software Word-Processing Software Special Applications Digital Resources: Databases and the Web 3. Teamwork on Writing Projects Using Teamwork to Strengthen Documents Using Peer Review for an Early Draft Using Peer Editing for a Later Draft Working on a Group-Writing Project Testing Documents with Readers 4. Writing for Diversity Strategies for Intercultural Communication Writing to an Intercultural Audience Showing Respect for Diversity Effective Attention to Diversity: A Model 5. Using Graphics in Business Documents Guidelines for Designing Graphics Parts of Graphics Using the Computer to Develop Graphics Integrating Graphics into Text Choosing the Right Graphics Tables Graphs Charts Visuals 6. Communicating Technical Information Getting Technical: An Overview Ineffective Versus Effective Technical Communication Strategies for Technical Communication Features of an Effective Technical Style 7. Conducting Research for Business Writing Research Overview: A Flowchart Planning Your Research Managing Your Project: Note-Taking Strategies Doing Primary Research Doing Library Research Doing Internet Research Organizing Your Findings Using and Integrating Sources Avoiding Plagiarism Following APA Documentation Rules APA References List 8. Business Writing Ethics Guidelines for Ethical Writing Information Ethics Persuasion Ethics II. Benchmarking Writing with the Seven Traits 9. The Seven Traits at Work Traits of Ineffective Writing Assessing an Ineffective Document Traits of Effective Writing Assessing an Effective Document 10. Trait 1: Strong Ideas Stating Ideas Clearly Supporting Ideas Effectively Thinking Creatively Thinking Logically Using Thinking Patterns (From Describing to Evaluating) 11. Trait 2: Logical Organization Strategies for Getting Organized Foolproof Organization Strategies Structuring Documents Through Paragraphing 12. Trait 3: Conversational Voice Weak Voice Strong Voice Making Your Writing Natural Making Your Writing Positive Developing "You Attitude" 13. Trait 4: Clear Words Cutting Unnecessary Words Selecting Exact and Fresh Words Avoiding Negative Words 14. Trait 5: Smooth Sentences Smooth Sentences: Questions and Answers Rough Problems and Smooth Solutions Combining Choppy Sentences Energizing Tired Sentences Dividing Rambling Sentences Sentence Smoothness in Action 15. Trait 6: Correct Copy Basic Terms: A Primer for Correctness Correcting Unclear Wording Correcting Faulty Sentences Correcting Punctuation Marks Correcting Mechanical Difficulties 16. Trait 7: Reader-Friendly Design Weak Versus Strong Design Understanding Basic Design Principles Planning Your Document's Design Developing a Document Format Laying Out Pages Making Typographical Choices III. The Application Process and Application Writing 17. Understanding the Job-Search Process Overview of the Job-Search Process Assessing the Job Market Guidelines for Career Plans Conducting a Job Search Researching Organizations Using Web Resources 18. Developing Your Resume Guidelines for Resumes 19. Writing Application Correspondence Guidelines for Application Letters Guidelines for Recommendation-Request Letters Guidelines for Application Essays Guidelines for Job-Acceptance Letters Guidelines for Job-Rejection Letters Guidelines for Thank-You and Update Messages 20. Participating in Interviews Interviewing for a Job or Program Inappropriate or Illegal Questions Common Interview Questions Guidelines for Interview Follow-Up Letters Interviewing a Job Applicant IV. Correspondence: Memos, E-Mails, and Letters 21. Correspondence Basics Writing Successful Correspondence E-Mail, Memo, or Letter: What Should It Be? Three Types of Messages Correspondence Catalog 22. Writing Memos Guidelines for Memos Basic Memo Expanded Memo 23. Writing E-Mail Messages and Sending Faxes Guidelines for E-Mail Messages E-Mail Model and Format Tips Choosing and Using E-mail E-Mail Etiquette and Shorthand Faxing Documents 24. Writing Letters Guidelines for Letters Professional Appearance of Letters Basic Letter Expanded Letter Letter Formats Letters and Envelopes Forms of Address 25. Writing Good-News and Neutral Messages The Art of Being Direct Guidelines for Informative Messages Guidelines for Routine Inquiries and Requests Guidelines for Positive Responses Guidelines for Placing Orders Guidelines for Accepting Claims Guidelines for Goodwill Messages 26. Writing Bad-News Messages The Art of Being Tactful Guidelines for Denying Requests Guidelines for Rejecting Suggestions, Proposals, or Bids Guidelines for Explaining Problems Guidelines for Resigning Guidelines for Making Claims or Complaints 27. Writing Persuasive Messages The Art of Persuasion Guidelines for Special Requests and Promotional Messages Guidelines for Sales Messages Guidelines for Collection Letters Guidelines for Requesting Raises or Promotions 28. Writing Form Messages Guidelines for Form Messages Standard Form Message Menu Form Message Guide Form Message V. Reports and Proposals 29. Report and Proposal Basics Writing Successful Reports and Proposals Types of Reports and Proposals 30. Writing Short Reports Guidelines for Incident Reports Guidelines for Investigative Reports Guidelines for Periodic Reports Guidelines for Progress Reports Guidelines for Trip or Call Reports 31. Writing Major Reports Guidelines for Major Reports 32. Writing Proposals Guidelines for Proposals Operational Improvement Proposals Sales or Client Proposals Grant and Research Proposals 33. Designing Report Forms Guidelines for Designing Report Forms VI. Special Forms of Workplace Writing 34. Public-Relations Writing Guidelines for News Releases Guidelines for Flyers and Brochures Guidelines for Newsletters 35. Writing Instructions Types of Instructions Tips for Writing Instructions Guidelines for Instructions 36. Writing for the Web Web Page Elements and Functions Guidelines for Developing a Web Site Sample Web Sites and Pages VII. Management and Management Writing 37. Managing Your Time and Manners Managing Your Time Evaluating Your Time-Management Skills Practicing Workplace Etiquette Polishing Your Etiquette Eating and Drinking 38. Managing Effectively Managing Writing Tasks Delegating Work Solving Problems Sustaining a Supportive Work Climate Developing Successful Employees Dealing with Discrimination 39. Management Writing Guidelines for Mission Statements Guidelines for Position Statements Guidelines for Policy Statements Guidelines for Procedures Guidelines for Company Profiles (or Fact Sheet) 40. Human Resources Writing Guidelines for Job Descriptions Guidelines for Job Advertisements Guidelines for Employer's Follow-Up Letters Guidelines for Employee Evaluations Guidelines for Employee Recommendations VIII. Speaking, Listening, and Giving Presentations 41. Communication Basics Speaking Effectively Listening Effectively Giving and Taking Instructions Giving and Taking Criticism Understanding Conflicts Resolving Conflicts 42. Communicating in a Group Beginning a Group Working in a Group Making Decisions Listening in a Group Responding in a Group Roles in a Group Disagreeing in a Group 43. Communicating in Meetings Formal Versus Informal Meetings Formal Meetings Order of Business for a Meeting Making Motions Officers and Their Responsibilities Guidelines for Minutes 44. Writing and Giving Presentations Giving Presentations Planning Your Presentation Organizing Your Presentation Writing Your Presentation Writing with Style and Motivational Appeals Using Visual Support Developing Computer Presentations Practicing Your Delivery Overcoming Stage Fright IX. Proofreader's Guide 45. Understanding Grammar Noun Pronoun Verb Adjective Adverb Preposition Conjunction Interjection 46. Constructing Sentences Using Subjects and Predicates Using Phrases Using Clauses Using Sentence Variety 47. Using Punctuation Period Question Mark Exclamation Point Parentheses Comma Apostrophe Colon Semicolon Ellipsis Quotation Marks Hyphen Dash Brackets Diagonal Italics (Underlining) 48. Checking Mechanics Capitalization Plurals Numbers Abbreviations Acronyms and Initialisms Spelling 49. Using the Right Word 50. Addressing ESL Issues The Parts of Speech Understanding Sentence Basics Sentence Problems Numbers, Word Parts, and Idioms