1. 1 BUSINESS WRITING TONE AND STYLE

2. 2 AGENDA Importance of Written Communications Tone and Style Rules of the Road

3. 3 BUSINESS WRITING Why am I writing this document?  Writing is Most Expensive Medium and Least Forgiving Who am I writing to and What do I want them to Understand?  How will my Written Communication look on a Newspaper’s Front Page?  What do I want done?

4. 4 BUSINESS WRITING What Kind of Tone?  Confidence: Sound Knowledgeable, Prepared and Capable  Concise and To the Point  Appropriate Emphasis: First Paragraph; Underline; Say “Most Important”  Active not Passive Voice

5. 5 BUSINESS WRITING Electronic Mail Messages (E-Mail) In Business Setting, no different from (“Hard-Copy”) Letter or Memorandum  Customary Formatting and Style are Required Technology and Legal Issues affect Privacy of E-Mail Messages

6. 6 BUSINESS WRITING General Suggestions No Excuse for Obvious Spelling, Punctuation or Grammar Errors: Use Program Support Functions Don’t Use E-Mail for Personnel and Other Actions (Communicating Bad News) that might have Adverse Results

7. 7 BUSINESS WRITING Summary Purpose for Business Writing is to Report Facts, Analyze Information or Make Recommendations Effective Business Writing is a Valuable Skill that can be Learned. Practice and a Mentor is Required.

8. 8 BUSINESS WRITING Summary Purpose for Business Writing is to Report Facts, Analyze Information or Make Recommendations Effective Business Writing is a Valuable Skill that can be Learned. Practice and a Mentor is Required.