Business Communication Workshop Course Coordinator Ayyaz Qadeer Lecture

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

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

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 Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 3

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

Emphasis Through Mechanics 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 Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 5

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– 6

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; however, Jeff was hired. Many were qualified, but Jeff was hired. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 7

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

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

Effective Sentences (Developing Parallelism) 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 transportation costs of raw materials. (Matching nouns) Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 10

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– 11

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– 12

Try Your Skill 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 13

Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers) 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 14

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

Effective Sentences Poor: (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers) 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 16

Effective Sentences (Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers) 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 17

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– 18

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– 19

Try Your Skill 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 20

Try Your Skill 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 21

Try Your Skill 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. Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 22

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) Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition Ch. 3– 23

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

Thank You Essentials of Business Communication, Asian Edition