Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Business Communication Workshop Course Coordinator:Ayyaz Qadeer Lecture # 11

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–2 Improving Writing techniques

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition We have discussed….. Research Methods for Gathering Information Organize Information with an outline: Define main topic in title. Divide the topic into three to five main points. Break the components into sub-points. Effective Sentences: subject-verb agreement Simple Sentences: One complete clause, no conjunction Compound Sentences: Complete clauses, coordinative conjunction Ch. 3–3

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition We have discussed….. Complex Sentences: Complete and incomplete clauses and sub-ordinative conjunction Sentence Fragments Run-on Sentences Ch. 3–4

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–5 Italics and Boldface: The use of boldface and italics captures the reader’s attention. All Caps: Notice how EXPENSE-FREE stands out. Dashes: Other methods–including dashes–may be used. Tabulation: Listing items vertically emphasizes them: 1. First item 2. Second item 3. Third item Emphasis Through Mechanics

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–6 Emphasis and Deemphasis Through Style To deemphasize an idea: Use general, rather than specific, words (some customers complained, rather than 125 customers complained). Place the idea in a dependent clause connected to an independent clause containing a positive idea. Example: Although items cannot be returned for cash, you will receive store credit for any returned purchases.

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–7 Effective Sentences (Comma-splice Sentences) Avoid comma-splice sentences. Comma Splice Many were qualified, Jeff was hired. Revisions: Many were qualified. Jeff was hired. Many were qualified; Jeff was hired. Many were qualified; however, Jeff was hired. Many were qualified, but Jeff was hired.

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–8 Parallel expression results from balanced construction. Match nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, phrases with phrases, and clauses with clauses. Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–9 Poor: The process of writing involves organizing, composing, and revision. Parallel: The process of writing involves organizing, composing, and revising. (Matching endings of verbals) Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–10 Poor: We are very concerned with the quality of raw materials, where they are located, and how much it costs to transport them. Parallel: We are very concerned with the quality, location, and transpor- tation costs of raw materials. (Matching nouns) Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–11 Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism) Poor: Serena takes the telephone orders, Matt locates the items in the warehouse, and the items are sent by Yolanda. Parallel: Serena takes the telephone orders, Matt locates the items in the warehouse, and Yolanda sends the items. (Matching voices of verbs)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–12 Try Your Skill How could parallelism be improved in the following sentence? Our knowledge management system focuses on the collecting, storage, and sharing of best practices. Our knowledge management system focuses on the collecting, storing, and sharing of best practices.

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–13 How could parallelism be improved in the following sentence? We are pleased to recommend Elizabeth because she has sincerity, she is reliable, and she works with diligence. We are pleased to recommend Elizabeth because she is sincere, reliable, and diligent. Try Your Skill

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–14 For clarity, modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit. Be particularly careful to place a logical subject immediately after an introductory verbal phrase. Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–15 Poor: After considering the problem carefully, new procedures were suggested by management. Revised: After considering the problem carefully, management suggested new procedures. Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–16 Poor: Any student has full online privileges who is enrolled in the college. Revised: Any student who is enrolled in the college has full online privileges. Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–17 Poor: It’s hard to understand why employees would not go to our technical support staff with software problems. Revised: It’s hard to understand why employees with software problems would not go to our technical support staff. Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers)

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–18 Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers) Poor: Using a search engine, the Web site was finally located. Revised: Using a search engine, we finally located the Web site.

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–19 Try Your Skill Revise the following sentence to correct any misplaced modifiers. Retain the introductory phrase. To be hired, two years of experience is required. To be hired, one must have two years of experience.

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–20 Revise the following sentence to correct any misplaced modifiers. Retain the introductory phrase. Dipped in butter, you can really enjoy a fine lobster. Dipped in butter, a fine lobster can truly be enjoyed. Try Your Skill

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–21 Revise the following sentence to correct any misplaced modifiers. She died in the house in which she was born at the age of 88. At the age of 88, she died in the house in which she was born. Try Your Skill

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3–22 Revise the following sentence to correct any misplaced modifiers. To receive an employment form, fill out this application. (Tricky!) The sentence is correct as it stands. “You” is the understood subject of a command. Try Your Skill

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Recapitulation Emphasis Through Mechanics: Italics and Boldface : All Caps: Notice how EXPENSE-FREE stands out. Dashes: Tabulation : Emphasis and Deemphasis Through Style Effective Sentences (Comma-splice Sentences) Ch. 3–23

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Recapitulation Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism) Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers) Ch. 3–24

Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Thank You