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Completing Business Messages. Learning Objectives. Discuss the value of careful revision and list the main tasks involved in completing a business message List four writing techniques for improving the readability of your messages
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Learning Objectives • Discuss the value of careful revision and list the main tasks involved in completing a business message • List four writing techniques for improving the readability of your messages • Discuss how you can improve the clarity and conciseness of your writing
Learning Objectives • Explain how design elements help determine the effectiveness of your documents • List eight tips for improving message quality through careful proofreading • Discuss the most important issues to consider when distributing your message
Beyond the First Draft • Content • Readability • Clarity • Conciseness
Analyze Situation Adapt to the Audience Revise Gather Information Produce Message Compose the Message Select Medium Proofread Message Get Organized Distribute Message The Three-Step Process Planning Writing Completing
Revising the Message • Type of message and choice of media • Content • Clarity • Conciseness • Readability
Evaluate the Message • Content • Organization • Style and tone
Review for Readability • Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Score • Flesch Reading Ease Score
Increasing “Skim” Value • Sentences • Paragraphs • Listed items • Headings
Vary Sentence Length • Create interest • Promote readability • Emphasize points • Enliven your writing • Appeal to readers
Keep Paragraphs Short • Break up thoughts • Boost readability • Emphasize ideas
Use Lists and Bullets • Show sequence of ideas • Heighten visual impact • Emphasize key points • Simplify complex subjects • Provide visual breaks • Expedite skimming process
Headings and Subheadings • Descriptive or informative • Organization • Attention • Connection
Editing for Clarity • Break up overly long sentences • Rewrite hedging sentences • Impose parallelism • Correct dangling modifiers
Editing for Clarity • Reword long noun sequences • Replace camouflaged verbs • Clarify sentence structure • Clarify awkward references
Editing for Conciseness • Delete unnecessary words and phrases • Shorten long words and phrases • Eliminate redundancies • Recast “It is/There are” starters
Evaluate, Edit, and Revise the Work of Others • Help the writer succeed • Understand the writer’s intent
Cut and paste Revision marks Spell checker Thesaurus Search/replace Commenting Grammar check Style checker Revising with Technology
Producing the Message • Production quality • Effectiveness • Professionalism • Importance
Design for Readability • Consistency • Balance • Restraint • Detail
Design Techniques • White space • Margins • Justification • Typefaces • Type styles
Multimedia Documents • Level of skills • Tools • Time and cost • Content • Message structure • Compatibility
Production Technology • Templates and style sheets • Page setup features • Column and paragraph formatting • Numbered and bulleted lists • Information in tables • Photos, images, textboxes, and objects
Format for Business Letters • Letterhead stationery • Date • Inside address • Salutation • The message • Complimentary close • Signature block
Format for Memos • Memo title • Headings • The message
Proofread the Message • Writing errors • Design flaws • Layout problems • Production issues
Make Multiple Passes Use Perceptual Tricks Focus on High Priorities Maintain Your Distance Practice Vigilance Remain Focused Work With Printouts Take Your Time Proofreading Advice
Distributing Messages • Cost concerns • Convenience • Time constraints • Security and privacy