Basic Letter and Memo Writing

by VanHuss, Susan H.

• ISBN13: 9780538727839
• ISBN10: 0538727837
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-08
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Basic Letter and Memo Writing is an intensive, activity-oriented text-workbook that shows users how to apply basic principles of communication to write clear and effective business documents. Through numerous document examples and applications, students master basic skills and apply them in specific, real-world business situations.

Table of Contents

Effective Communication
Overview	1	(1)
Business Talk	2	(1)
Communication at Work	2	(1)
Choosing a Medium	3	(1)
Type and Volume of Communications	4	(1)
Global Connections: Communicating Across Cultures	4	(1)
Technology	5	(1)
Technology Connections: E-Mail Policies	6	(1)
Cost and Quality Issues	6	(1)
Writing Skills	7	(1)
Style	8	(5)
The Process of Writing	13	(1)
Points to Remember	14	(1)
Applications	15	(6)
Ten Guides for Effective Writing
Overview	21	(1)
Business Talk	22	(1)
Guide 1---Plan Messages Carefully	22	(3)
Guide 2---Write for the Reader	25	(3)
Guide 3---Present Ideas Positively	28	(1)
Guide 4---Write in a Clear, Readable Style	29	(4)
Global Connections: Applying the Guides	33	(1)
Guide 5---Check for Completeness	34	(1)
Guide 6---Use an Efficient, Action-Oriented Style	35	(3)
Guide 7---Use Concrete Language	38	(2)
Guide 8---Use Effective Sentence and Paragraph Structure	40	(5)
Guide 9---Format Documents Effectively	45	(1)
Guide 10---Edit and Proofread Carefully	46	(5)
Technology Connections: E-Mail Quality	51	(3)
Points to Remember	54	(1)
Applications	55	(30)
Good-News Messages
Overview	85	(1)
Business Talk	86	(1)
Strategy and Reader Reaction	86	(1)
Global Connections: Cultural Differences	87	(1)
Planning Good-News Messages	87	(2)
Strategy for Writing Good-News Messages	89	(1)
Planning Neutral Messages	89	(2)
Strategy for Writing Neutral Messages	91	(1)
Using Technology to Share Information	91	(1)
Technology Connections: Instant Messaging	91	(2)
Using Strategy Wisely	93	(1)
Points to Remember	94	(1)
Applications	95	(12)
Bad-News Messages	107	(28)
Overview	107	(1)
Business Talk	108	(1)
Why Write Bad-News Messages?	108	(1)
Planning Bad-News Messages	108	(3)
Technology Connections: Digital Signatures	111	(2)
Strategy for Writing Bad-News Messages	113	(1)
Global Connections: Language Usage	113	(5)
Strategy for Writing Mixed-News Messages	118	(1)
An Alternative Strategy for Negative Messages	118	(1)
Points to Remember	119	(4)
Applications	123	(12)
Persuasive Messages	135	(26)
Overview	135	(1)
Business Talk	136	(1)
Goal of Persuasive Messages	136	(1)
Ethical Implications of Persuasion	136	(1)
Planning Persuasive Messages	137	(2)
Technology Connections: Technology Bridges Geography and Time	139	(1)
Factors That Influence Persuasion	140	(1)
Global Connections: Credibility	141	(1)
Strategies for Writing Persuasive Messages	141	(5)
Points to Remember	146	(1)
Applications	147	(14)
Team Writing	161	(20)
Overview	161	(1)
Business Talk	162	(1)
Working as a Team	162	(2)
Global Connections: Collaborating With People of Different Cultures	164	(1)
Strategies for Team Writing	165	(1)
Message Consistency	166	(1)
Technology Connections: Wikis	167	(1)
Technology for Team Writing	167	(1)
Technology Connections: Blogs	168	(2)
Points to Remember	170	(1)
Applications	171	(10)
Letter and Memo Reports	181	(28)
Overview	181	(1)
Business Talk	182	(1)
Types of Reports	182	(1)
Formality and Writing Style	182	(1)
Report Content and Format	183	(2)
Global Connections: Ethics	185	(2)
Technology for Presenting Data	187	(1)
Technology Connections: Information Overload	187	(1)
Report Organization	187	(7)
Points to Remember	194	(1)
Applications	195	(14)
Goodwill Messages	209	(20)
Overview	209	(1)
Business Talk	210	(1)
Types of Goodwill Messages	210	(1)
Writing Style	211	(1)
Planning Goodwill Messages	211	(1)
Global Connections: Formality of Communications	212	(1)
Strategies for Writing Goodwill Messages	212	(1)
Technology Connections: Who Gets Copies of E-Mail	213	(3)
Points to Remember	216	(1)
Applications	217	(12)
Employment Communications	229	(42)
Overview	229	(1)
Business Talk	230	(1)
Employment Strategies	230	(2)
Technology and Employment	232	(1)
Technology Connections: Input Technologies	232	(2)
Communications for the Job Seeker	234	(1)
Resume	234	(7)
Application Letter	241	(1)
Global Connections: Learning a Second Language	242	(2)
Follow-Up Communications	244	(4)
Points to Remember	248	(1)
Applications	249	(12)
APPENDICES
Appendix A Address Directory	261	(1)
Appendix B Shell Cove Address Directory	262	(1)
Appendix C Editing and Language Arts Checkpoint Guides	263	(8)
Index	271