Power Tools for Business Writing

by Levitt, Julie; Craig, Jeff

• ISBN13: 9780538728751
• ISBN10: 0538728752
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-04
• Publisher: South-Western Educational Pub

Summary

POWER TOOLS FOR BUSINESS WRITING is a results-oriented program that boosts writing skills by 35 percent in just 12 to 15 hours. Focus is on the practical, beginning with "quick starting tools," that include overcoming writer's block, using the clustering technique to generate ideas, maintaining momentum, and hammering out an efficient first draft. The essential basics of grammar and punctuation are covered briefly. In addition, active and passive voice, dummy subjects, and weak verbs are presented. Then techniques are presented for refining the first draft with parallel structure, correct placement of modifiers, and clear pronoun references. Next persuasive writing, effective sentence and paragraph structure, and methods of organizing and delivering information to fit the audience are covered. Guidelines for writing and formatting result-oriented e-mail, memos, and letters are provided along with advice on proofreading. Included are self-testing exercises and review sheets. An instructor's resource CD includes a detailed instructor's manual, lesson plans, guided-learning-style PowerPoint slides, and a full set of quiz and testing materials.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Quick Starting Tools
Writer's Block	1	(1)
Clustering to Generate Ideas	2	(3)
Techniques for Maintaining Momentum	5	(1)
Efficient First Draft	5	(4)
Grammar Foundations
Important Grammar Elements	9	(3)
Complete Sentences	12	(2)
Common Subject and Verb Agreement Errors	14	(3)
Power Tools for Emphasis and Conciseness
Active and Passive Voice	17	(3)
Dummy Subjects	20	(1)
Camouflaged and Weak Verbs	21	(4)
Punctuation Essentials
Use of the Comma	25	(1)
Use of the Colon	26	(1)
Use of the Semicolon	27	(4)
Power Tools for Balance and Clarity
Use Parallel Structure	31	(2)
Place Modifiers Correctly	33	(2)
Use Clear Pronoun References	35	(1)
Avoid ``Stacks of Nouns''	36	(3)
Custom Tools to Persuade Readers
Needs of the Reader	39	(3)
Positive Tone --- A Key Factor	42	(5)
Framing Tools
Effective Sentences	47	(2)
Clearly Focused Paragraphs	49	(2)
Transitions	51	(6)
Sound Blueprints
Planning and Organization	57	(3)
Organizational Patterns	60	(2)
Effective Introductions and Closings	62	(2)
Direct Pattern for Results-Oriented Messages	64	(4)
Persuasive Messages	68	(1)
Indirect Pattern for Bad News	68	(5)
Formatting and Fine-Tuning Tools
E-mail, Memo, or Letter	73	(2)
Document Formats	75	(5)
Results-Oriented E-mail Messages	80	(4)
Outdated Terms	84	(1)
Redundancies	85	(2)
Long-Winded and Abstract Terms	87	(1)
Specific, Measurable Terms	88	(1)
Qualifiers	89	(2)
Professional Finishing Tools
Proofreading and Editing of Final Content	91	(7)
APPENDIX
Assess Your Writing: Does It Meet Business Standards?	98	(1)
Internet Writing Resources	99	(1)
Proofreaders' Marks	100	(1)
Power Tools Writing Project	101	(1)
Topic Choices	101	(1)
Practice Posttest	102	(3)
Quick Reference 1	105	(2)
Quick Reference 2	107	(2)
Quick Reference 3	109	(2)
Quick Reference 4	111