104 Unit 2: The Three-Stop Writing Process 5: Completing Business Messages 105 Use Lists and Bullets to Clarify and Emphasize An effective alternative to using conventional sentences is to set off important ideas in a – a series of words, names, or other items. Lists can show the sequence of your ideas, heighten their impact visually, and increase the likelihood that readers will find your key points. In addition, lists simplify complex subjects, highlight the main point, ease the skimming process for busy readers, and give them a breather. Consider the difference between the following two approaches to the same information: Narrative Owning your own business has many advantages. One is the ease of establishment. Another advantage is the satisfaction of working for yourself. As a sole proprietor, you also have the advantage of privacy because you do not have to reveal your information or plans to anyone. List Owning your own business has three advantages: • Ease of establishment • Satisfaction of working for yourself • Privacy of information When creating a list, you can separate items with numbers, letters, or bullets (a general term for any kind of graphical element that precedes each item). Bullets are generally preferred over numbers, unless the list is in some logical sequence or ranking, or specific list items will be referred to later on. Lists are easier to locate and read if the entire numbered or bulleted section is set off by extra space before and after, as the preceding examples demonstrate. Furthermore, when using lists, make sure to introduce them clearly so that people know what they’re about to read. Bibliography: Courtland L., B., & John V., T. (2007). Completing Business Messages. In D. Parker, R. Butera, & M. Boos (Eds.), Business Communication Essentials (3rd ed., pp. 104- 105). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. 1Lists are effective tools for highlighting and simplifying material. Imagine you are a resident in a community that doesn’t utilize community corrections but feels strongly that they are needed. You are presenting the concept of community corrections and alternatives to community leaders, administrators from the court system, and local correctional administrators. Create a 9 slide presentation with detailed speaker notes. Address the following in your presentation: · (1 slide) Introduce the topic. · (2–4 slides) Define what community corrections are. · How does community corrections affect the society in which they are practiced? · What hypothesis can you make about community corrections and their overall effectiveness within the correctional system? · (1–2 slides) Explain how community corrections differ from institutional corrections. · (2–4 slides) Explain how community corrections work. · What is a typical process for community corrections? · (2–3 slides) Explai ...

1. 104 Unit 2: The Three-Stop Writing Process
5: Completing Business Messages 105
Use Lists and Bullets to Clarify and Emphasize
An effective alternative to using conventional sentences is to set
off important ideas in a – a
series of words, names, or other items. Lists can show the
sequence of your ideas,
heighten their impact visually, and increase the likelihood that
readers will find your key
points. In addition, lists simplify complex subjects, highlight
the main point, ease the
skimming process for busy readers, and give them a breather.
Consider the difference
between the following two approaches to the same information:
Narrative
Owning your own business has many
advantages. One is the ease of
establishment. Another advantage is
the satisfaction of working for yourself.
As a sole proprietor, you also have the
advantage of privacy because you do
not have to reveal your information or
plans to anyone.
List

2. Owning your own business has three
advantages:
• Ease of establishment
• Satisfaction of working for yourself
• Privacy of information
When creating a list, you can separate items with numbers,
letters, or bullets (a
general term for any kind of graphical element that precedes
each item). Bullets are
generally preferred over numbers, unless the list is in some
logical sequence or ranking,
or specific list items will be referred to later on.
Lists are easier to locate and read if the entire numbered or
bulleted section is
set off by extra space before and after, as the preceding
examples demonstrate.
Furthermore, when using lists, make sure to introduce them
clearly so that people know
what they’re about to read.
Bibliography:
Courtland L., B., & John V., T. (2007). Completing Business
Messages. In D. Parker, R.
Butera, & M. Boos (Eds.), Business Communication Essentials
(3rd ed., pp. 104-
105). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.

3. 1Lists are effective tools for highlighting and simplifying
material.
Imagine you are a resident in a community that doesn’t utilize
community corrections but feels strongly that they are needed.
You are presenting the concept of community corrections and
alternatives to community leaders, administrators from the court
system, and local correctional administrators.
Create a 9 slide presentation with detailed speaker notes.
Address the following in your presentation:
· (1 slide) Introduce the topic.
· (2–4 slides) Define what community corrections are.
· How does community corrections affect the society in which
they are practiced?
· What hypothesis can you make about community corrections
and their overall effectiveness within the correctional system?
· (1–2 slides) Explain how community corrections differ from
institutional corrections.
· (2–4 slides) Explain how community corrections work.
· What is a typical process for community corrections?
· (2–3 slides) Explain the process for starting a community
corrections program.
· (1–2 slides) Discuss how community corrections can help the
offender understand the impact they have on the victim and the
impact on their own family.
· (1–3 slides) Make recommendations related to community
corrections for your local community that would be relevant for
community leaders, administrators from the court system, and
local correctional administrators.

4. MEMORANDUM
TO: Reader’s Names and Job Title
FROM: Your Name and Job Title
DATE: Write Out Month Completely
SUBJECT: Be Specific and Concise
Remember that memos do not begin with greetings or
salutations. Use the direct approach. Begin with the good news
and commend them for their achievement.
Provide details regarding the factors that led to the good news
and any other relevant details, including when the grant will be
awarded, who will receive the grant etc. You are welcomed to
use bullets of you are providing a list. Remember to use parallel
structure if you are providing a list.
In the final paragraph, explain that the company looks forward
to continuing the grant distribution in future, commensurate
with employee performance. Thank the employees again for
their outstanding contributions, and conclude the memo by
indicating how the reader may contact you if he/she has any
questions.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Reader’s Names and Job Title
FROM: Your Name and Job Title
DATE: Write Out Month Completely

5. SUBJECT: Be Specific and Concise
Remember that memos do not begin with greetings or
salutations. Use the indirect approach when announcing the
negative news. Use buffer.
Provide background context that will help them to understand
the reason for the bad news. Be mindful of the tone. Use clear
but positive language.
Avoid ending with negative impressions. Try to end with a
message of hope and optimism. Conclude the memo by
indicating how the reader may contact you if he/she has any
questions.