This document provides an overview of the key concepts and assignments covered in the ENC 3250 Professional Writing course. It discusses various types of business writing such as letters, memos, emails and websites. It outlines the essential elements of successful writing like preparation, research, organization, and revision. It also covers principles for effective writing like using a clear structure, active voice and concise language. The assignments taught how to analyze different forms of business communication and apply principles of content, layout and design. The student reflects on learning how to communicate efficiently and clearly for professional purposes.

1. ENC 3250
Professional Writing: Midterm Reflection
What I Have Learned
By Emilio Azan
October 12, 2015

2. The Process of all Successful
Writing Requires:
Preparation
Research
OrganizationWriting
Revision

3. A Functional Outline
is a well planned outline that has:
 Grouped related items
 Major and Minor divisions
 Defined headings
 A defined numbering system

4. Successful Business Writing
Incorporates the 5 C’s of writing:
 Clarity: clear and not confusing
 Conciseness: short and to the point
 Completeness: complete analysis
 Correctness: free of errors
 Courteous Tone: friendly voice

5. Methods of Correspondence
 E-Mails
 Memos
 Letters
 Text Messaging
 Faxes
 Voice-Mail
 Videoconference
 Social Media

6. Letters
 Assignment (WA1) – A letter of Complaint
 Letters used in business, including letters of complaint, are used for
formal communication.
 Letters should be organized using block style
 Letters have a specific format which includes: letter head of
organization, address of the recipient, address of sender, the date, name
of recipient, a formal salutation followed by a colon, and a signature line
.
 Letters should incorporate the 5 C’s of writing.

7. Letter Heading Example
Letter Author’s Address
Letter Author’s Phone: (888) 888-8888
Letter Author’s email address
Date
Name of Organization ( To Whom Letter is Being Sent To
Address of Recipient)
Dear Customer Relations Department: (or
addressed to a specific person)

8. Memos
 Assignment (WA2) – One Campus, One Book Committee book
recommendations.
 Memos are used for communication within an organization and can be
sent through e-mails as attachments.
 Memos like letters also use the block style format.
 Memo format incorporates the To:, FROM:, DATE:, and SUBJECT:
heading and can incorporate subheadings within the body of the text.
 No signature line is necessary.

9. Memo Heading Example
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
This is in Response to your request…

10. Importance of Style & Clarity
 Clear and Effective Writing Uses:
 Parallel structure
 Concrete Wording that is perceivable to the five senses
 An Active Voice
 Clear Transitions
 Direct Statements
 Clear and Effective Writing Does Not Use:
 Affectations
 Biased Language
 Clichés
 Wordy Sentence Structure

11. How To Design Effective Websites
 Important Elements to Consider When
Designing a Website:
 Layout
 Content
 Design
 Color
 Proper use of visuals, graphs and drawings
 The grouping of items
 The use of Contrast
 The incorporation of headings, titles, stylized text
 The size of the font

12. Website Analysis Assignments
 (WW1) Analysis of a flight attendant video.
 (WW2) Analysis of two websites for two similar non-profit
organizations.
 (WW3) Analysis of one poorly designed website.
____________________________________________________
These assignments taught how to analyze various websites by
assessing the methods of presentation and focusing on the
way information is transmitted to clients and customers. We
learned the importance of how the elements of Content,
Layout and Design can determine the success of a website or
a video.

13. The Importance of The Things We
Have Learned in ENC 3250
 To communicate efficiently.
 To communicate clearly.
 To communicate in a concise manner.
 To communicate using a correct style and manner
thinking of a particular audience.
 To be successful in relaying ideas and
information.
 To avoid embarrassing mistakes.

14. Future Plans
ENC 3250 Business Writing has provided me
with tools that I can use to improve the way I
communicate ideas, present information and organize
my thoughts on paper. These tools will help me when
applying to graduate school, participating in
community organizations and in becoming a successful
participant of the business world.
My goal is to use what I have learned in a way
that helps me to build confidence and trust with
teachers, employers, clients, coworkers and customers.

15. Sources
Alred, Gerald J., and Charles T. Brusaw. The Business Writer's Companion.
7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2014. Print.