Business Communication for

Career Readiness

High Impact Business Writing

Module 1

with Sue Robins, M.S.

Lesson 1: Audience
Learning Objectives

Lesson 1: Audience

Learning Objectives
Learn how to ensure the reader
acknowledges the value in reading your
document

Lesson 1: Audience

Learning Objectives
Learn how to ensure the reader
acknowledges the value in reading your
document
Know how tone and style of
language affect the
readers perception of
your meaning

Lecture 1: Audience

Learning Objectives
Learn how to ensure the reader
acknowledges the value in reading your
document
Know how tone and style of
language affect the
readers perception of
your meaning
Learn strategies for
ensuring the audience is able
to understand your message

 Think about your

goals and
responsibilities

 Think about your

goals and
responsibilities
Remember your
reader has lots of
content to read

Your Job as a Writer

Your Job as a Writer

Prove the value of your
document quickly

Starting your Document

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Be polite, professional and focused

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Be polite, professional and focused

2. Make reading the material easy

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Be polite, professional and focused

2. Make reading the material easy

Be clear, efficient and enjoyable
Be personable and friendly
Avoid overly formal language

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Be polite, professional and focused

2. Make reading the material easy

Be clear, efficient and enjoyable
Be personable and friendly
Avoid overly formal language

3. Think about your audience

Starting your Document

1. Get right to the point

Be polite, professional and focused

2. Make reading the material easy

Be clear, efficient and enjoyable
Be personable and friendly
Avoid overly formal language

3. Think about your audience

Tailor your message appropriately

Who are you writing to?

The readers role in the organization or the
relationship
Value to reader

Be clear about what they need to know

Find out the managers perspective on topic

Writing for Senior Managers

Ask questions about what they expect
Review similar documents
Find the managers content expectations
Address primary concerns and questions

Writing for Large and

Diverse Audiences

Write for general public (well-educated,

but not knowledgeable on the topic)

Tips for General Audience

Writing
Be respectful, clear and
concise

Tips for General Audience

Writing
Be respectful, clear and
concise
Write like you are
updating team member

Tips for General Audience

Writing
Be respectful, clear and
concise
Write like you are
updating team member
Avoid tech-speak

Point of View
Use the Readers
Point of View
Say something
valuable
Judge clarity

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor

Tips for Tone

Be likable and sound natural

Avoid casualisms
Avoid being overly formal and wordy
Use names and personal pronouns
Include courtesies
State arguments positively
Avoid sarcasm
Use active voice
Express goodwill by exhibiting concern
for readers viewpoint
Assume their goodwill and cooperation
Be judicious with use of humor