1. Chapter 5 Preparing to Write Business Messages
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e
Copyright © 2003

2. Business writing is . . .
Purposeful. It solves problems and conveys information.
Economical. It is concise.
Reader-oriented. It focuses on the receiver, not the sender.
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3. The 3-x-3 Writing Process
Phase 1: Prewriting
Analyzing, anticipating, adapting
Phase 2: Writing
Researching, organizing, composing
Phase 3: Revising
Revising, proofreading, evaluating
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 3

4. Analyzing and Anticipating
Analyze the task
Identify the purpose
Anticipate the audience
Primary receivers?
Secondary receivers?
Select the best channel
Importance of the message?
Feedback required?
Permanent record required?
Cost of the channel?
Degree of formality?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 4

5. Adapting to Task and Audience
Spotlight receiver benefits (the warranty starts working for you immediately).
Cultivate the “you” view (you will receive your order).
Use sensitive language avoiding gender, race, age, and disability biases (office workers, not office girls).
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 5

6. Adapting to Task and Audience
Express thoughts positively (you will be happy to, not you won't be sorry that).
Use familiar words (salary, not remuneration).
Use precise, vigorous words (fax me, not contact me).
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 5

7. Developing Reader Benefits
Sender-focused
“We are requiring all staffers to complete these forms in compliance with company policy.”
Receiver-focused
“Please complete these forms so that you will be eligible for health and dental benefits.”
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e

8. Developing Reader Benefits
Sender-focused
“Because we need more space for our new inventory, we’re staging a two-for-one sale.”
Receiver-focused
“You can buy a year’s supply of paper and pay for only six months’ worth during our two-for-one sale.”
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e

9. Emphasize the “You” View
“We” view
We are issuing a refund.
“You” view
You will receive a refund.
We take pleasure in announcing an agreement we made with Hewlett Packard to allow us to offer discounted printers in the student store.
An agreement with Hewlett Packard allows you and other students to buy discounted printers at your convenient student store.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 8

10. Hidden Negative Meanings
Writers are sometimes unaware of the hidden messages conveyed by their words.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e

11. Hidden Negative Meanings
You overlooked
(You are careless.)
You failed to
You state that
(But I don’t believe you.)
You claim that
(It’s probably untrue.)
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 10

12. Hidden Negative Meanings
You are wrong
(I am right.)
You do not understand
(You are not very bright.)
Your delay
(You are at fault.)
You forgot to
(You are not only inefficient but also stupid and careless.)
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 10

13. Adapting to Legal Responsibilities
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 12

14. Adapting to Legal Responsibilities
Avoid litigation by using especially careful language in four areas:
Investment information
Safety information
Marketing information
Human resources information
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 13

15. Document for Analysis Revision Solution Activity 5.1
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16. Activity 5.1
TO: All Employees Using HP 5000 Computers Your cooperation is urgently needed in solving a serious computer security problem. To enable you to keep your files and those of the entire company secure, please follow these two actions: 1. Keep your password private. Please do not share it with anyone Log on to the computer manually. Avoid using automatic log-on procedures.
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17. Activity 5.1
By refusing to share your password, you prevent intrusion into your private files. Automatic log-on procedures are also dangerous. Although they seem to save time, they give anyone access to the entire computer system--even a person without prior knowledge of your password. Please sign the attached form and return it to me indicating that you are aware of this urgent problem and are willing to avoid these two actions in your computer use. Attachment
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e 16

18. End
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e