Business writing aims to communicate technical information concisely and persuasively to both internal and external audiences (1). It takes various forms like memos, reports, proposals, and more (2). Effective business writing is clear, concise, well-organized and uses an appropriate tone for the intended audience (3). The document provided information on the objectives and types of business writing, how to write memos and reports, and tips for improving technical writing skills.

1. Basic Business
Writing
A Student Support Services Workshop
Troy University (Main Campus)

2. Objectives
• To teach students that business letters are not
the only type of business writings they may have
to create.
• To teach students that business writing is
technical writing required in the workplace.
• To prepare students to format two types of
workplace documents: memos and formal
reports.

3. First, What is Business Writing?
• Business writing is workplace writing, which is a
form of technical writing.
• Workplace writing is generally “persuasive” writing.
Example 1: A Resume to persuade a potential
employer to offer an interview
Example 2: A Findings Report to persuade
employees to follow certain policies or procedures
in order to improve performance or correct errors
or problems.

4. Some Types of Workplace Writings
• Business Letters (most common – formal letter to an external recipient)
• E-mail Transmissions (A more informal business message than a business
letter that is sent electronically to one or more recipients, within or
external to the business).
• Memoranda /memorandum (A more informal style of a business letter that
is usually sent to one or more business colleagues employed within the
same business unit or company)
• Reports (financial, audit, or statistical report that identifies the specific
problem and presents collected data, research, or recommendations for
the change process (re-engineering process.)
• Contracts (binding agreements or proposals between two or more parties
that can become legal documents if they include an offer that is accepted.)
• Manuals (a written set of instructions, procedures or policies)
• PowerPoint (a soft-ware generated, visual slide show, with animation
options, that hosts a set of notes or bulleted points, an agenda, or other
information that supports a discussion).

5. General Business Tip . . .
Generally, it is an
expected and common
business practice to keep
photocopies / hard
(paper) copies of any
communication you send
to another person
regarding any business
matter.

6. Business Writing
is technical
communication
or technical
writing.

7. Business Writing:
Technical or Workplace Writing.
Definition of Technical Writing:
Writing that “transfers information about a situation,
product, service, or concept . . . to audiences of
varying levels of technical knowledge, so that each
member of the audience clearly understands the
message.
The word “technical” means skilled, specialized, and
strict.
Technical writing follows rules and protocols.
Source: The Institute of Technical Communication (workshop) June, 1998

8. How to Create Effective
Technical or Workplace Writings:
1. Focus on the purpose of your writing
2. Focus on your readers (Audience)
3. Satisfy document requirements (Documentation style; visuals; data)
4. Get to the point. (Concise, uncluttered sentences)
5. Provide accurate information (Research)
6. Present your material logically
7. Express yourself clearly (Grammar; Proofreading)
8. Use efficient wording (Word Choice)
9. Make your ideas accessible (Clarity)
10. Use lists for some information (organized bullets)
11. Format your pages carefully (be neat and leave white space)
12. Manage your time efficiently (Meet deadlines)

9. Pay attention to Word Choice
The following is a short list of common word
choice
mistakes to watch out for in business writing.
• affect, effect -- Affect is usually a verb meaning "to influence."
Effect is usually a noun meaning "result." The drug did not affect
the disease, and it had several adverse side effects.
Effect can also be a verb meaning "to bring about." Only the
president can effect such a dramatic change.
• a lot -- A lot is two words. Do not write alot. We have had a lot of
rain this year.
• Data -- Data is the plural for datum, which means "a fact or
proposition." New data suggest (not suggests) that our theory is
correct. The singular (datum) is rarely used.
(the words media and staff also are treated as plural nouns)

10. Pay attention to Word Choice (cont.)
• farther, further -- Farther describes distances. Iowa
City is farther from Chicago than I thought. Further
suggests degree. You extended the curfew further
than you should have.
• Firstly -- Firstly sounds pretentious, and it leads to
the ungainly series firstly, secondly, thirdly, fourthly,
and so on. Write first, second, third instead.
• kind of, sort of -- Avoid using kind of or sort of to
mean "somewhat." The movie was a little (not kind
of ) boring. Do not put an a after either phrase. That
kind of (not kind of a) salesclerk annoys me.

11. Pay attention to Word Choice (cont.)
• principal, principle -- Principal is a noun meaning "the head of a
school or organization" Or "a sum of money." It is also an
adjective or meaning "most important." Principle is a noun
meaning "a basic truth or law."
Example: The principal expelled her for violating several
principles expressed in the school handbook.
Example: We believe in the principle of equal justice for all.
• regardless, irregardless -- Irregardless is nonstandard. Use
regardless. Example: Regardless of what you think,
“conversated” is slang and the correct word is “conversed.”
• try and -- Try and is nonstandard for try to. The teacher asked
us all to try to (not try and) write an original haiku.

12. Formatting a . . .
Business
Memo

13. What should you know about
Business Memos? They . . .
• almost always are used within an organization
• usually are informal in style
• normally function as a non-sensitive communication
• are short and to-the-point
• have a direct tone / language
• have a business tone / no slang or jokes
• do not require a salutation (formal greeting)
• do not have a complimentary closing as does a business letter (END)
• have a format very different from a business letter
• may address one person or a group of individuals
Examples: To: Mr. John Doe, CEO of Pepsi
or
To: All Student Support Services Participants
Source: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eli/buswrite/memos.html

14. Memo Sample 1
College of Business Administration Business Communication
Memorandum
To: CBA Students
From: Dale Coattail
Date: September 10, 2007
Re: How to Write a Memo
Your instructor has asked you to write a memo, which is the most common form of written communication in business. In order to perform this
task successfully, you should conform to general business standards of content, format, structure and language use. Regarding Content,
the first rule of writing a good memo is "Get to the point!" The second rule is "Know what your purpose is." Before you start writing, be sure
that you know what your "answer" is to the boss's or colleague's question. Don't include all your thinking in the memo. While several pages of
thinking might get written as you come up with the answer, the memo includes only the answer. Citations, financials, or justifications that must
be available to the reader can be added as appendices or written as a separate, formal report. The memo should include only those ideas that
are required for the reader's action or decision.
Format
This memo is an example of memo format. Note especially the routing information, the use of headings, and the single spaced block
paragraphs. If your memo looks like a memo, there's a better chance a business reader will take your ideas seriously. If you are working in a
CBA lab, the easiest way to duplicate the proper memo format is to use a template. (Select "new" from the File MENU and select the "memo"
tab on the dialogue box.)
Structure
The typical memo is only 2 or 3 paragraphs and fits on one page. The first paragraph summarizes the gist of the whole memo, then the main
points are covered in the same order they were previewed. Again, this memo provides an example of the typical structure.
Language Use
A memo is often less formal than a letter, but should still be written with a businesslike tone. You can be friendly, but not cute. Your
professional image depends on perfect spelling and grammar, but you can usually get away with a few "down home" expressions. Edit for
wordiness and get directly to the point. Use language to communicate your ideas effectively and efficiently. (END)
cc: Your Instructor
Executive Summary or
Introduction
Headings w/ routing
information
Special notation
Start the Body / Body Headings

15. Memo Sample -- Practice Exercise
Directions: Label four parts of the sample
memo you have been provided.
Answers Below
Headings w/ Routing
Information
Executive Summary or Introduction
Start of the Body / Body Headings
Special Notation: Attachments, Carbon
Copies, etc.

16. In short, for a Business Memo . . .
• Use block format (no indents).
• Single space the text.
• Use 10 or 12 point font size.
• Business may require use of letterhead.
• Margins may vary, depending on letterhead style of if letterhead has a
business address side bar, as this example shows.
BODY OF THE MEMO
• Memorandum (heading)
• To:
• From:
• Reference or Subject:
• Start the introduction or provide an executive summary (depending on type of
memo). You do not necessarily have to label this part.
• Present main body of the memo with labeled parts.
• You may provide some indication of the end of the memo (END)

17. Center for Student Success
Trio-Student Support Services
109 Shackelford Hall Annex
Troy, Alabama 36082
Phone: 334-670-5985
• Sample of a Letterhead with a Business
Address Left Side Bar.
• You may have to adjust your margins to
accommodate the side bar.
Therefore, instead of a left margin of 1” or
1.25”, you may have a left margin of 1.8”.
TRiO
Student Support Services
TROY
UNIVERSITY

18. Formatting a . . .
Business Report ?

19. What is a “Business Report”?
• A business report is a technical report
designed to persuade readers.
• A written business report communicates
research findings, progress evaluations,
proposals plans, or other information
regarding a business practice, situation, or
project.

20. Why create Business Reports?
• In a global society, the ability to report findings
and develop expansion plans and propose
solutions to business-related problems gives
company’s a strategic advantage in world
markets.
• Business reports, formal or informal, are
technical communications that support business
by persuading business leaders, employees,
clients and other business stakeholders.

21. Regardless of what you write, Consider
the Rhetorical Triangle . . .
Subject
(the logic you will present
-- your topic or message)
Writer
(your ethics, morals,
skill set
and Plans to use
Your characteristics
to meet your purpose)
Audience
(the passions, interests, or
characteristics of the ones
you’re trying to persuade
and their characteristics)

22. Know your reading audience . . .
Two Main Types of
Business Report Readers
• Skimmers – read quickly and
look for key words in reports –
look for bulleted information.
• Skeptics – read every word
and are looking for logic flaws
or reasons to disbelieve or say
“No” – Provide them with plenty
of examples, details, support
statements
What type are you?
Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/audorg.ppt#277,10,When you do not know your reader

23. Know Your Purpose and Outline First.
• Outlining: create a
hierarchy of your ideas.
• Outlining helps you to
identify (1) what your
main points are, (2) what
supporting material is
available, and (3) what
other information you
need to include.
SAMPLE
Progress Report for January 2002
I. Background
A. Detailed plan regarding
staff hired in Dec. 2007
B. Objectives set for the first
month
1. Training/Orientation
2. End-of-Month testing
II. Work completed to date
A. Developed a training plan
and presented it to the
necessary committee
B. Plan approved Jan. 2008
III. Work to be completed
A. Plan to be initiated by
March 2008
B. Contact new staff
C. Train new staff

24. Formal Business Report Format
General Sections of a long Business Formal Report:
• Title Page (Header may start on this page, depending on the style you use.)
• Letter of Transmittal (a general letter identifying routing information)
• Table of Contents (listing of subject content and page)
• List of Tables and Illustrations (name of graphics and page)
• Synopsis / Executive Summary / Abstract (may be required)
• Introduction (required) (Header may start on this page)
• Methods of Research (How did you find your data? Did you review
literature, conduct a field experiment or survey?)
• Findings / Analysis (Discussion)
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Appendix (Graphs and Tables)

25. Sample: Letter of Transmittal
A Letter of Transmittal accompanies a business report and may take the form of a
simple memo with the following parts:
TO: Dr. Rose Norman
FROM: Heather Cross
DATE: June 24, 2008
SUBJECT: EH 501 Final Report: An Analysis of Training Manuals for Peer Tutors in
Post-secondary Writing Centers
[Open with an overview.]
Enclosed you will find my final report for EH 501 entitled "An Analysis of Training Manuals for Peer Tutors in Post-Secondary
Writing Centers" due December 7, 1999. [Then state your main finding] From interviews with five writing center directors
and four consultants, I found that each writing center has its own unique circumstances for training. The manuals from these
same writing centers do contain some consistent areas of attention. The manual produced for the University of Alabama in
Huntsville Writing Center should reflect these findings.
[Then comes the descriptive abstract.]
The purpose of this report is to develop recommendations for a new training manual for peer tutors in a post-secondary
writing center. Initially the report gives a brief description of the writing center environment, pedagogy, and theory. For the
specific application of peer tutor training, the findings from interviews with Dr. Diana Calhoun Bell—director of the UAH
Writing Center, directors of other writing centers, and consultants are presented. The report compares information from
these practitioner inquiries with the content and form of the sample manuals obtained from three other university writing
centers and with the existing UAH manual. The report concludes with recommendations for the UAH Writing Center’s
Training Manual.
[Then add whatever else you need to say.]
After an initial email request to twenty-five writing centers, I was able to collect three peer tutor training manuals and receive
answers to interview questions from two other directors. I interviewed four consultants in the UAH Writing Center using an
abbreviated form of the questions. Dr. Bell has continued to express interest in this study and its continuation into an actual
product. I hope to undertake the writing of the UAH Writing Center Consultant Training Manual as an independent study in
the next semester.
Enclosure: Final Report (2 Copies)

26. The Body of the Formal Report
• Introduction (should reveal a topic sentence and clarify the
purpose of the report and organization strategy you will use).
• The introduction may include some important background
information and definitions of particular terms (as needed).
• The Discussion part of the report should clearly present researched
information or data, as well as internal references to sources, just
as you would with any report.
• The company may adapt or modify a particular format (i.e., APA,
MLA, Chicago) that all employee writers must follow. Learn the
required format.
• Type Business Reports and when possible, include only well-
planned and documented graphic illustrations that help clarify or add
to the persuasiveness of your message.

27. Practice Exercise --
Simplified Language
• One of the most challenging business or
technical writing task is to construct
understandable, direct statements.
• The practice exercise is to determine if
you have that skill or if you need to
develop the skill of direct writing or
Standard Writing English (SWE).
• Complete the sample practice exercise
handout and then compare your
answers with those provided on the
next slide.

28. Possible Practice Exercise Answers
1.All previously sent memos relating to this
subject with earlier dates may be disregarded.
1. Disregard previous memos on this subject.
2. The consensus of opinion is that the end result
will be favorable in a positive manner.
2. Opinion is that the result will be positive/favorable).
3. I would like to extend my thanks to you for your
aid and assistance on the Humbolt operation.
3. Thank you for your help on the Humbold operation.

29. Possible Practice Exercise Answers (cont)
4. There is an almost certain possibility that the entire complete
order will not arrive by the assigned due date.
4. The complete order will not arrive on time.
5. The end result of our in-house, on-site production activities
is various different products and output.
5. Our production results in a variety of products.
6. For all intents and purposes, payroll will basically be
appending your comp time towards your designated vacation
allowance.
6. Your comp time will be applied toward your vacation time.
7. Let me know if for some reason you don’t get this e-mail.
Otherwise, please respond to it as soon as possible.
7. Please respond to this e-mail by (specific time).

30. Possible Practice Exercise Answers (cont)
8. A proportion of people who work here feel that it may well be that
they should be able to respond to the survey sometime in the future,
at a later date.
8. Some employees feel that they should be allowed to respond to the
survey later.
9. It proved to be the case that, as a result of the on-going weekly
updates, a significant percentage of the staff not infrequently has the
ability to, in all cases, complete their assigned, work-related activities
in a shorter time period.
9. Due to the weekly updates, (specific figure) percent of the staff can
complete their work in less time.
10. Due to the fact that the next Wednesday following Tuesday is the
day before Christmas, the normal work day will be truncated for the
purpose of allowing employees to join their respective families in
celebration of the holiday.
10. Because Wednesday is Christmas Eve, the office will close early so
employees can be with their families.

31. Before You Go . . .
• Remember: Complete and submit your seminar
evaluation form to full-time staff.
• Notify Student Support Services staff of
workshop ideas you may have.
Phone: 334-70-5985 / 109 Shackelford Hall Annex
• Have a great day!
THE END