Jon Ramsey

Business Writing Scenarios

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

A hands-on approach to business writing which immerses students in the types of writing situations they will encounter throughout their working lives, with detailed guidance and numerous examples  to help students build the skills they will need to respond to these situations effectively. In each of the core chapters, students first learn how other writers addressed a particular writing situation, such as conveying disappointing news to employees, effectively or ineffectively, before applying what they've learned through guided activities. Additionally, the book emphasizes the potentially serious consequences of ill-considered business communications, especially those delivered electronically. A chapter dedicated to business writing gaffes provides many real-world examples of these mistakes and advises students on how to avoid them. A useful addition to any course building students business writing skills.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bedford Books
• Seitenzahl: 272
• Erscheinungstermin: 19. Februar 2016
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 233mm x 149mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 305g
• ISBN-13: 9781457667077
• ISBN-10: 145766707X
• Artikelnr.: 43421741

Autorenporträt

Jon R. Ramsey was an Associate Professor of English and the Dean of Studies at Skidmore College, from which he retired in 2004. His career in administration and teaching continued, however, through June 2014 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. At UCSB he was the Director of Policy and Publications for the Graduate Division and for eight years was a Continuing Lecturer in the UCSB Writing Program. He has published a number of articles and book chapters and has co-edited two books on literature, writing, and administrative issues. As an administrator and office director, he has been especially involved in creating and implementing new programs in the United States and abroad and in constructing a wide variety of policies, tasks which frequently required complex written negotiations with myriad internal and external audiences. He earned his B.A. at San Diego State University and a Ph.D. at the University of California, Riverside.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface1. The Purposes and Concepts of This BookTo become an effective
business writer and colleague, you need to imagine your way inside a wide
variety of business situations. This chapter explores the fundamentals of
this approach.Understanding the Nature of Business WritingPreviewing the
Basics An Example of Unspecific, Unfeeling Business WritingAn Example of
Specific, Empathetic Business WritingThe Foundations of Effective Business
WritingImagining Your Way inside of Business SituationsThe Scenarios in
This BookSample Scenario: A New Employee Introduces HerselfSample Scenario:
A Manger Politely Declines a Colleague's RequestWriting to Build and
Maintain Relationships Choosing the MediumFactors to ConsiderExamples of
Selection StrategiesWriting to Achieve Your Purpose-and Get
ResultsResponding to Real-World Writing Scenarios Analyzing a Writing
Scenario: Explaining a Workplace DisruptionThe Challenges of Explaining the
DisruptionAn Ineffective Explanation of the DisruptionAn Effective
Explanation of the DisruptionApplying What You've LearnedApplication 1-A:
Explain a Workplace DisruptionAn Effective Explanation of the
DisruptionAnalyzing a Writing Scenario: Responding to a Former Colleague
Who Wants Confidential InformationApplying What You've LearnedApplication
1-B: Respond to a Former Colleague Who Wants Confidential
InformationLooking Ahead 2. An Overview of Business Writing
Before you begin composing any piece of business writing, you will need to
consider your role and authority within the business organization, your
purpose in writing, the audience you must reach, the strategy that is most
likely to achieve the desired goal, and the best medium for your
communication purposes. This chapter examines these important factors.
Understanding the Central Concerns of Business WritingSeeing the Big
PictureStarting with You as Person, Employee, and WriterUnderstand Your
Level of AuthorityLook before You Leap-and Stay Alert for
Opportunities  Familiarize Yourself with Your Organization's Principles and
ValuesKeeping Your Purpose in MindUnderstanding Your Audience and Audience
PsychologyDetermining a Communication StrategyThe Importance of EvidenceThe
Importance of TonePaying Attention to Details Using Clear
Vocabulary ProofreadingResponding to Real-World Writing ScenariosAnalyzing
a Writing Scenario: Explaining a Policy ChangeA First-Draft Explanation of
the Policy ChangeA More Detailed Explanation of the Policy ChangeAnalyzing
a Writing Scenario: Weighing the Costs and Benefits of ConcisenessA Brief,
Formulaic E-mailA More Developed E-mail: Example 1A More Developed E-mail:
Example 2An E-mail That Offers Specifics and a Longer, More Detailed
DocumentApplying What You've LearnedApplication 2-A: Inquire about
Office-Space NeedsApplication 2-B: Seek Volunteers for a Non-Profit
OrganizationApplication 2-C: Coordinate Accounts Receivable Information3.
Résumés, Cover Letters, and the Job Search Process
Knowing how to draft an effective résumé and cover letter is key to your
success in securing a position and advancing in your field. This chapter
gives practical advice on creating these important documents-and on
succeeding in the job search.Understanding the Application
Process Assessing Your Abilities: What Do You Have to Offer?Investigate
Campus ResourcesAsk Yourself QuestionsIdentify Your Research
SkillsAssembling Your CredentialsFinding Open PositionsUnadvertised
OpportunitiesAdvertised OpeningsDos and Don'tsImproving Your Odds in the
Application Review ProcessSurviving the First CutIncreasing Your Chances of
SuccessResponding to Real-World Writing ScenariosAnalyzing a Writing
Scenario: Crafting an Effective RésuméA Problematic RésuméRevisions to the
RésuméThe HeaderCareer ObjectiveEducationWork ExperienceSkillsReferencesThe
Final ProductRésumé TipsAnalyzing a Writing Scenario: Crafting an Effective
Cover LetterA Problematic Cover LetterRevisions to the Cover LetterThe
Letter FormatThe OpeningThe Middle ParagraphsThe ClosingCover Letter
TipsExploring Additional Examples of Résumés and Cover LettersA Résumé and
Cover Letter from a Liberal-Arts StudentA Résumé and Cover Letter from a
Business/Economics StudentApplying What You've LearnedApplication 3-A:
Create Your Own Cover Letter and RésuméGetting from the Application to
Success Following Up on Your Application MaterialsAcing the Job
InterviewInterview TipsCHECKLIST: Overview of the Job SearchStarting and
Pursuing a Rewarding Career4. Business Document Design, Formats, and
Conventions
As a business writer you want to create documents that are as aesthetically
pleasing as they are easy to read and understand. This chapter covers
design basics, as well as important document formats and conventions.
Understanding Key Features of Document DesignPreviewing Design
BasicsMelding Structure and PurposeElements of Effective DesignAn Example
of a Clearly Designed MemoWhy the Design SucceedsExploring Common Formats
for Business DocumentsThe Business LetterStandard E-mail FormatCommon Memo
FormatIncorporating Visual Materials into Your TextAvoid Do-Nothing
GraphicsProvide ContextDesigning Longer DocumentsFollowing Other Style and
Format "Conventions"Salutations, or "You Lost Me at Hello"Type Size and
StyleMarginsText BreaksBulletsPaginationHeadersResponding to Real-World
Writing Scenarios Analyzing a Writing Scenario: Improving a Poorly Crafted
MemoApplying What You've LearnedApplication 4-A: Revise a Poorly Crafted
Memo5. Writing to Colleagues Within the Organization
It is important to address colleagues as valued partners in a shared
enterprise. This style of communication will help foster a culture of
cooperation, productivity, and respect that is crucial to any
organization's success. Understanding the Challenges of Writing to
ColleaguesKeeping Special Issues and Controversies in MindRespecting
Co-workers across Business CulturesSome Good News about Workplace
DynamicsPotential Consequences of Angry CommunicationsResponding to
Discourteous CommunicationsDistinguishing Friends from Professional
ColleaguesAn Overly Casual CommunicationA More Professional
CommunicationConveying Negative News Negative News PitfallsResponding to
Real-World Writing ScenariosAnalyzing a Writing Scenario: Conveying Bad
News about a Holiday GiftAn Off-Putting Message about the GiftA More
Thoughtful MessageAnalyzing a Writing Scenario: Conveying Bad News about
Medical BenefitsThe BackgroundThe Basic Facts about the Benefits
ChangesAdvice on Conveying the NewsAn Effective Memo about the Benefits
ChangesApplying What You've LearnedApplication 5-A: Revise an Off-Putting
Request for a PromotionApplication 5-B: Request Information about Office
SuppliesApplication 5-C: Revise a Poor Communication about Office
SpaceApplication 5-D: Revise a Poor Communication about Child-Care
PoliciesApplication 5-E: Revise a Poor Communication about Flexible Work
SchedulesApplication 5-F: Revise a Poor Communication about Holiday
Office CoverageApplication 5-G: Revise a Poor Communication about Employee
Parking6. Writing to External Constituencies
External audiences with whom you communicate will view you as a
representative of your organization, so it is important to make a good
impression on them. This chapter will help you communicate effectively with
such audiences, even under the most challenging circumstances.
Understanding the Challenges of Writing to External AudiencesKnowing That
Word Gets Around The Pluses and Minuses of More Open CommunicationsLegal
Implications of Problematic CommunicationsPrinciples of Respectful
CommunicationsProviding Information Clearly and PersuasivelyAn Effective
Response to an Information RequestAn Ineffective AlternativeKeeping the
Human Touch in Big-Business CommunicationsAvoiding Business Liabilities
Responding to Real-World Writing ScenariosAnalyzing a Writing Scenario:
Responding to a Customer ComplaintThe ComplaintOne Effective Response to
the ComplaintAnother Effective Response to the ComplaintApplying What
You've LearnedApplication 6-A: Respond to an Information Request from a
Potential InvestorApplication 6-B: Write a Company Mission
StatementApplication 6-C: Create a Return Policy for a Retail
StoreApplication 6-D: Resolve a Complaint about a Catering
FiascoApplication 6-E: Resolve a Complaint about Customer
ServiceApplication 6-F: Revise an Angry Complaint about a Cleaning
ServiceApplication 6-G: Revise a Letter That Delivers Bad News
InsensitivelyApplication 6-H: Respond to a Request from a Privileged
AlumApplication 6-I: Write a Rejection LetterApplication 6-J: Invite a
Distinguished Guest to a Campus EventApplication 6-K: Dis-invite
Participants to a Focus GroupApplication 6-L: Reassure a Nervous
CustomerApplication 6-M: Buy Time in a Tricky SituationApplication 6-N:
Request Permission from an External ConstituencyStudent Responses to
Selected Applications 7. More Complex Business Writing Projects
As you advance in your career, you may be called upon to develop longer,
more complicated documents, such as grant proposals or business plans. This
chapter will introduce you to the fundamentals of these more complex pieces
of writing.Understanding the Challenges of More Complex Writing
ProjectsIdentifying Key Considerations of Complex Projects The Situation or
ScenarioThe AudienceBackground Research and PreparationDocument
DesignPreviewing Longer Writing ProjectsA Business-Travel Reimbursement
PolicyAn Ethics Advisory MemoA Request for Proposals (RFP)A Letter of
Inquiry Preceding a Full Grant ProposalA Grant ProposalA Business PlanBeing
an Effective Part of a Team Responding to Real-World Writing
Scenarios Application 7-A: Draft a Business-Travel Reimbursement
PolicyApplication 7-B: Write an Ethics Advisory MemoApplication 7-C: Write
a Request for Proposals (RFP)Application 7-D: Write a Letter of Inquiry
Preceding a Full Grant ProposalApplication 7-E: Write a Grant
ProposalApplication 7-F: Write a Business Plan for a Start-Up
CompanyStudent Responses to Selected ApplicationsResponse to Application
7-B: Write an Ethics Advisory MemoResponse to Application 7-C: Write a
Request for Proposals (RFP)Response to Application 7-D: Write a Letter of
Inquiry Preceding a Full Grant ProposalResponse to Application 7-E: Write a
Grant ProposalResponse to Application 7-F: Write a Business Plan for a
Start-Up 8. Business Writing Gaffes in the Real World
Even highly experienced business professionals make communication errors at
times, and you can also learn from their mistakes. This chapter provides
examples of some especially glaring gaffes to avoid. Reviewing Key Causes
of Writing GaffesTouring a Gallery of GaffesGetting the Job the Wrong
WayKicked out of HarvardDismissed as Admissions DeanFired as CEO of Yahoo!
Inc. Insulting Co-WorkersIssuing an Apology without Acknowledging Any
ResponsibilityCorrecting the Record ... Sort of "Spinning" a Bad
Public-Relations SituationE-mailing Your Way to a Legal LossE-mailing Your
Way to Disgrace-and BankruptcyConfusing the Issue with Too Many
DetailsSending an E-mail to the Wrong Recipient-and Jeopardizing a $1
Billion SettlementMass E-mailing Your Way to an Embarrassing MistakeMass
E-mailing Your Way to a Financial MessMaking Confidential Business
Information Public (via E-mail)Making Personal Information Public (via
E-mail)Writing in Code-with Potentially Detrimental EffectsPosting Your Way
to DisgraceBotching Communications from the Top: Hewlett-PackardBotching
Communications from the Top: NetflixMaking (Expensive) Punctuation
MistakesMaking Serious Social-Media ErrorsComplaining about a Customer
through RedditComplaining about a New Job on TwitterInsulting a Key Client
(and Others) on TwitterMixing Personal Expressions with Company
CommunicationsTiming a Tweet PoorlyExploiting a Bad SituationFinal Advice:
Refer to Social-Media Guidelines9. Leadership Values in Business Writing
In this chapter, we'll take a closer look at leadership qualities that you
can foster in yourself to become both a better communicator and a better
colleague.Reflecting on Leadership Values in Business Writing Realizing
That Many Leadership Skills Can Be LearnedReviewing Leadership
QualitiesClarity of Mind and a Commitment to Evidence-Based DecisionsA
Commitment to Customer or Client SatisfactionA Clear View of Long-Range
Goals with a Readiness to ChangeEquanimity in Troubled Times and an Ability
to Operate above the FrayA Willingness to Consider Others' Ideas and Credit
Their ContributionsResponding to Real-World Writing Scenarios Application
9-A: Request Volunteer HelpApplication 9-B: Get Buy-in on a Plan for New
SoftwareApplication 9-C: Convey Disappointing News about Health Benefits