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Document management and information activity |Документоведение и информационная деятельность

 

Final Certification |Итоговая Аттестация

LESSON 7

Read the text:                               BUSINESS LETTERS

 

Business writing is different.

   Writing for a business audience is usually quite different than writing in the humanities, social sciences, or other academic disciplines. Business writing strives to be crisp and succinct rather than evocative or creative; it stresses specificity and accuracy. This distinction does not make business writing superior or inferior to other styles. Rather, it reflects the unique purpose and considerations involved when writing in a business context.

When you write a business document, you must assume that your audience has limited time in which to read it and is likely to skim. Your readers have an interest in what you say insofar as it affects their working world. They want to know the "bottom line": the point you are making about a situation or problem and how they should respond.

Business writing varies from the conversational style often found in email messages to the more formal, legalistic style found in contracts. A style between these two extremes is appropriate for the majority of memos, emails, and letters. Writing that is too formal can alienate readers, and an attempt to be overly casual may come across as insincere or unprofessional. In business writing, as in all writing, you must know your audience.

In most cases, the business letter will be the first impression that you make on someone. Though business writing has become less formal over time, you should still take great care that your letter's content is clear and that you have proofread it carefully.

Personal pronouns (like I, we, and you) are important in letters and memos. In such documents, it is perfectly appropriate to refer to yourself as I and to the reader as you. Be careful, however, when you use the pronoun we in a business letter that is written on company stationery, since it commits your company to what you have written. When stating your opinion, use I; when presenting company policy, use we.

The best writers strive to achieve a style that is so clear that their messages cannot be misunderstood. One way to achieve a clear style is to minimize your use of the passive voice. Although the passive voice is sometimes necessary, often it not only makes your writing dull but also can be ambiguous or overly impersonal.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. What if you are the head of the Global Finance Team? You may want to get your message across without calling excessive attention to the fact that the error was your team's fault. The passive voice allows you to gloss over an unflattering point—but you should use it sparingly.

Strive to be exact and specific, avoiding vagueness, ambiguity, and platitudes. If there are industry- or field-specific concepts or terminology that are relevant to the task at hand, use them in a manner that will convey your competence and experience. Avoid any language that your audience may not understand. Your finished piece of writing should indicate how you meet the requirements you've listed and answer any questions raised in the description or prompt.

Many people believe that application letters and cover letters are essentially the same but they’re different. The letter of application is a sales letter in which you market your skills, abilities, and knowledge. A cover letter identifies an item being sent, the person to whom it is being sent, and the reason for its being sent, and provides a permanent record of the transmittal for both the writer and the reader.

 

Match the left part with the right:

 

1. Writing for a business audience is	a) that your audience may not understand.
2. Your readers have	b) to minimize your use of the passive voice.
3. One way to achieve a clear style is	c) usually quite different than writing in the humanities, social sciences, or other academic disciplines.
4. Avoid any language	d) an interest in what you say.

 

2. Complete the sentences with the suggested words:

may   raised   there   to

 If (1)______ are industry- or field-specific concepts or terminology that are relevant (2)______ the task at hand, use them in a manner that will convey your competence and experience. Avoid any language that your audience (3)______ not understand. Your finished piece of writing should indicate how you meet the requirements you've listed and answer any questions (4)______ in the description or prompt.