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How do I write professional business letters?
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L Skinner
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Betty Sue Jessup Library
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Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu
Betty Sue Jessup Library
501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu
What Is Business Writing?
Business writing is writing that is used in a professional setting. Business writing conveys relevant information in a clear, concise, uncluttered, and effective way.
Examples of business writing are proposals, reports, memos, emails, notices, press releases, and more. Knowing how to write using the standards of business writing will improve your professional communications skills.
For useful resources, see the links below. If you need help, contact your instructor, a librarian, or the Writing Center.
Note: If you're using a smartphone to view this playbook, hold the device horizontally for better viewing.
Resources: Books
Little Black Business Writing Book by The Little Black Book of Business Writing is for everyone who writes for business purposes, in the commercial world, the private sector, the trades and the professions. It helps readers write the kinds of documents that confront them most days at work – letters, emails, web writing, reports, minutes, tenders, ministerials, board papers, media releases, newsletters, marketing documents, policy proposals, business cards, newsletters, position descriptions, job ads, notes to financial statements, instruction and safety manuals, speeches, presentations and various kinds of technical papers. The Little Black Book of Business Writing helps people write at work with economy, impact and efficiency. -- From the publisher
The Mcgraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing and Communication, Second Edition by The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing and Communication puts you on the fast track to becoming a strong, persuasive business writer. Complete with exercises, self-tests, and an online final exam, this multifaceted business writing “course” teaches you how to: seize readers' interest instantly, eliminate nonspecific words and phrases, create powerful presentations, and more. --From the publisher.
The Plain English Approach to Business Writing by The Plain English Approach to Business Writing offers readers a powerful new communications tool. Written for busy professionals who want to improve the quality and clarity of their own (or their staff's) writing style, this no-nonsense guide is an indispensable office companion. The approach is surprisingly straightforward: just write as you would talk. Plain English is not only easier to read; it's also easier to write. And it's so effective that many large organizations are endorsing, if not demanding, its use in the work place.--From the publisher.
Quick and Painless Business Writing by Quick & Painless Business Writing reveals secrets that will eliminate business-writing phobias and faux pas and help you create outstanding documents that get optimal results. First, you’ll learn that grammar is not a collection of stagnant rules you’d better follow (or else), but an ever-changing set of principles with plenty of choices. Then you’ll discover secrets about writing your English teachers never told you: the secret power of nouns, the destructive force of innocent-seeming verbs, and the way sentence structure can elicit certain responses. You’ll happily replace what you learned about “structure” with an altogether new understanding of how to open, develop, and close your messages. Even better, you’ll learn how to build a cohesive message quickly, with little need for rewriting. --From the publisher
Style Guide for Business WritingThe Style Guide for Business Writing, Second Edition, is designed specifically to assist business writers in both the public and private sector, including those publishing with English as a second language; authors of academic papers; business book authors; financial journalists; and writers of reports, proposals or even just e-mail and memoranda. This book provides a comprehensive guide to clear and precise writing that will help develop basic communication skills for the beginner, and refresh the basics for the experienced business writer.--From the publisher.
Resources: Online Videos
- Business Writing FundamentalsThis tutorial covers basic information that will help you write more professionally.
- Effective Business WritingA workshop on how to effectively write for business with clarity, purpose, and keeping the audience in mind.
- Effective Business WritingThis workshop discusses several important topics of business correspondence, including cover letters, letters of acceptance/rejection, letters of resignation, and email etiquette.
- Four Keys to Effective Business WritingThe purpose of effective writing at work is always to accomplish a specific goal and to be as persuasive as possible. This video covers how to accomplish that goal.
- Writing a Formal Business LetterIn this video, you’ll learn more about writing a formal business letter. The video includes information on:the format and structure of business letters; uses for business letters, including as business communication and as cover letters; tips r producing a professional business letter; and the elements of a business letter, including the opening, greeting, body, final paragraph/call to action, and closing.
Need Help?
- For help finding resources, use the information in the library's playbooks. Librarians can help you understand the playbooks, but they cannot conduct research for you.
- For help with formatting citations, please consult the library's citation styles playbooks. Please note the librarians cannot help you with citation generators or with any citation guide other than the library's.
- For help with composition issues (such as spelling, grammar, flow, etc.), please visit the Writing Center.
- If you have questions, please email the librarians at reference@pvcc.edu, visit the library and speak with a librarian, or connect via chat. If your section has an embedded librarian, contact that specific librarian.