Business and Professional Writing: A Basic Guide

by Paul MacRae

Overview

Straightforward, practical, and focused on realistic examples, Business and Professional Writing: A Basic Guide is an introduction to the fundamentals of professional writing. The book emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and plain language. Guidelines and templates for business correspondence, formal and informal reports, brochures and press releases, and oral presentations are included.

Exercises guide readers through the process of creating and revising each genre, and helpful tips, reminders, and suggested resources beyond the book are provided throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554812202
Publisher:	Broadview Press
Publication date:	03/03/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Paul MacRae is an instructor in business and professional writing at the University of Victoria.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction to Business and Professional Writing

PART 1 THE BASICS OF STRONG WRITING

Chapter 1 Plain Language

• Business Communication versus Academic Writing
  Plain Language
  Exercises

Chapter 2 The Seven Cs of Good Professional Communication
Introduction

1. Clear
2. Concise
3. Concrete and Specific
4. Complete
5. Courteous
6. Coherent
7. Constructive

Conclusion
Quiz on the Seven Cs

Chapter 3 The Eighth C: Learning Grammar Language

• Introduction
  Grammar Language
  Parts of Speech
  Sentences and Clauses
  Conjunctions
  Clauses and Conjunctions Determine Punctuation
  Punctuation
  Grammar Odds and Ends
  Conclusion
  Quiz #1 on Grammar
  Quiz #2 on Grammar

Chapter 4 Copy-Editing

• Introduction: What Is Copy-Editing?
  Using Spellcheck
  Other Copy-Editing Tasks
  Copy-Editing Symbols
  Using a Word Processor for Copy-Editing
  Conclusion
  Copy-Editing Exercise

PART II DOCUMENT DESIGN

Chapter 5 Basic Document Design

• Introduction: The Importance of Good Document Design
  Modular Design
  Lists
  Headings
  Graphics
  Summing Up

Chapter 6 Formatting for Correspondence

• Introduction
  Memos and Emails
  Letters
  Correspondence Review

PART III CORRESPONDENCE

Chapter 7 Emails and Memos

• Introduction
  Emails and Memos
  Emails
  Memos
  Faxes and Scans

Chapter 8 Letters: Good News, Neutral, and Bad News

• Good-News and Neutral Letters
  Bad-News Letters

Chapter 9 Persuasive Letters

• Introduction
  Three Rhetorical Techniques
  AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)
  Exercise

PART IV WRITING FOR A JOB

Chapter 10 Cover Letters

• Introduction
  The Cover Letter
  Conclusion
  Exercise

Chapter 11 Résumés

• Introduction
  Reverse Chronological Résumé
  Functional Résumé
  Combined Chronological and Functional Résumé
  Scannable Résumé
  Conclusion
  Exercises

PART V PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Chapter 12 News Releases

• Introduction
  News Releases
  Follow-up Questions and Exercises

Chapter 13 Brochures

• Introduction
  Brochures Are AIDA Documents
  Conclusion
  Exercises

Chapter 14 Promotion on the Web

• Introduction
  Creating a Website
  Social Media
  Exercise

PART VI ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Chapter 15 Individual Oral Presentations

• Introduction
  Individual Presentations
  Individual Presentation Checklist
  Exercises

Chapter 16 Group Presentations

• Introduction
  Preparation
  Content
  Delivery
  Group Presentation Checklist
  Exercise

PART VII REPORTS

Chapter 17 Informal Reports

• Informal Reports
  Introduction
  Progress Reports
  Problem-Solving Reports
  Incident Reports
  Proposal Reports
  Conclusion
  Discussion Questions
  Exercises

Chapter 18 Formal Reports

• Introduction
  Formal Report Design
  Formal Report Formatting
  Surveys
  Minutes
  Conclusion
  Formal Report Checklist
  Discussion Questions
  Exercise

Chapter 19 Formal Report Example

Appendix A Answers to Exercises

• Introduction
  Chapter 1
  Chapter 2
  Chapter 3
  Chapter 4
  Chapter 5
  Chapter 6
  Chapter 8
  Chapter 12
  
  Index

Editorial Reviews

Paul MacRae’s Business and Professional Writing is an excellent new entry in the field of writing textbooks. MacRae clearly has years of experience teaching writing: he knows what students need, and he knows how to convey that information in an accessible, almost conversational way. This is a practical, no-nonsense approach to professional writing. What the reader will find here is everything he or she needs to know to be an effective communicator, from a foundation in grammar and basic precepts, including the importance of document design, to how to write in specific professional genres, including persuasive letters, résumés, and reports. Rather than being relegated to an appendix, grammar is foregrounded, along with the ‘seven Cs of good professional communication.’ The coverage is thorough yet concise, and even experienced writers will find the text to be a valuable resource.” — Michael Fox, Western University

“Paul MacRae’s Business and Professional Writing delivers on its promise to provide a basic bread-and-butter guide to workplace writing. Whereas other books combine practical writing instruction with communication theory, MacRae’s background as a journalist comes through in his concise approach: he hones in on the core genres and skills that all professional writers must develop as part of their writing repertoires. This book practises what it teaches. Concepts are explained and illustrated clearly and efficiently. The strong section on grammar clearly explains the basics that need to be in every professional writer’s toolkit. The book’s brevity, conciseness, and to-the-point approach make it a practical, accessible textbook that would be a great resource for any student.” — Kelly Belanger, Virginia Tech

“Business and Professional Writing provides a solid overview of key topics related to business communication. Clear, concise chapters teach students about plain language, format, and grammar, and highlight the most common forms of business communication such as letters and memos. What makes this book stand out from the competition is its focus on news releases, brochures, and promotion on the web. Detailed instructions on how to construct an effective brochure is especially helpful to students who often struggle with this format.” — Precious McKenzie, Rocky Mountain College

From the Publisher

Business and Professional Writing provides a solid overview of key topics related to business communication. Clear, concise chapters teach students about plain language, format, and grammar, and highlight the most common forms of business communication such as letters and memos. What makes this book stand out from the competition is its focus on news releases, brochures, and promotion on the web. Detailed instructions on how to construct an effective brochure is especially helpful to students who often struggle with this format.

Precious McKenzie Rocky Mountain College

Paul MacRae’s Business and Professional Writing delivers on its promise to provide a basic bread-and-butter guide to workplace writing. Whereas other books combine practical writing instruction with communication theory, MacRae’s background as a journalist comes through in his concise approach: he hones in on the core genres and skills that all professional writers must develop as part of their writing repertoires. This book practises what it teaches. Concepts are explained and illustrated clearly and efficiently. The strong section on grammar clearly explains the basics that need to be in every professional writer’s toolkit. The book’s brevity, conciseness, and to-the-point approach make it a practical, accessible textbook that would be a great resource for any student.

Kelly Belanger Virginia Tech

Paul MacRae’s Business and Professional Writing is an excellent new entry in the field of writing textbooks. MacRae clearly has years of experience teaching writing: he knows what students need, and he knows how to convey that information in an accessible, almost conversational way. This is a practical, no-nonsense approach to professional writing. What the reader will find here is everything he or she needs to know to be an effective communicator, from a foundation in grammar and basic precepts, including the importance of document design, to how to write in specific professional genres, including persuasive letters, résumés, and reports. Rather than being relegated to an appendix, grammar is foregrounded, along with the ‘seven Cs of good professional communication.’ The coverage is thorough yet concise, and even experienced writers will find the text to be a valuable resource.

Michael Fox Western University