Global Business Writing Introduction

1. Global Business Writing Introduction Powerful Business Writing Skills for ESL Writers February 2013

2. Complete Self Introduction Sheet • Write your answers in full sentences • Think about a Business English first name, create a name sign to bring to each class • You have ten minutes to finish your self introduction • Get ready to work hard and have fun! • If you are a good English Speaker, think about running for Class President to assist me.

3. Key Ideas • Benefits of writing well • Course Outline • English Business writing tips

4. Why do we need to write Business English well? • To give you advantages in business communication • To save you time writing business English documents • To save your customers’ time reading your documents

5. Do your key documents meet global business standards? • Business Reports • Emails • Power Points • Resumes • Cover letters • Memos • Research papers

6. You are what you eat

7. You are what you write Spoken English does not have to be perfect. Spoken words disappear and are forgotten. However written English must be perfect. Written documents are saved and forwarded to your customers and superiors.

8. Your business writing is your face Even one error on a business document makes you look like:

9. Perfect Professional writing makes you look professional

10. Business Writing is Brain Writing For your Boss Employers view writing skills as your ability to think clearly, examine alternatives, analyze information and make decisions.

11. Business Writing is Brain Writing For your customers You must create documents that your customers read first, documents that drive action and documents that impress your readers.

12. Global Business Writing Six Steps • Getting started • Creating Headlines • Writing Drafts • Designing for visual Impact • Setting the right tone • Editing

13. Step 1 Getting Started With the course easy to use Start up Sheet, writer’s block, the pain of starting an English paper is eliminated. You can quickly identify your audience, purpose and key issues.

14. Step 2 Creating Headlines Use powerful headlines to walk your reader through your message. Put headlines in a sequence, an order that maximizes impact.

15. Step 3 Writing Drafts Writing the draft is easy because you created the structure in Steps 1 and 2.

16. Step 4: Designing for Visual Impact Good visual design organizes your message into manageable, easy chucks that help readers easily find key information.

17. Step 5 Setting the Right Tone The tone of your message influences your reader as much as the message itself.

18. Step 6 Proof Reading and Editing Sending a message or letter with even one mistake makes you look unprofessional and unreliable. A perfect Written Business English document shows the world how talented and valuable you are!

19. What’s the most common business writing error? People who fail to use spell and grammar check before they print or email their documents.

20. Your Knowledge of the Task • Have you done this kind of writing task before? • Bench mark yourself against samples on the internet. • What questions do you have about the writing task?

21. Language Concerns • Grammar What are the patterns of grammatical errors I tend to make? • Word Choice Am I using words that are too technical or too informal? Check www.thesaurus.com

22. Dictionary and Translators Tells you word definitions • Gives you examples of word usage • Provides word order • Provides usage notes www.dictionary.com www.thesaurus.coma book of similar and contrasting words Use an English/Chinese Dictionary and translate-google.com

23. General Class Rules • Plan ahead: schedule time to prepare a first draft. • Before class, read the lesson plan, assignments and write your assignment to bring to class. • Do NOT write at the last minute because you will have little time for revision! • Do NOT expect to finish your writing assignments in class. • ASK many questions! • Work in teams and proof read each others papers

24. Team and Individual Work • You will work in teams of four to complete the homework assignments. • The Quizzes, Mid-Term and Final Exam will be Individual written work in class-no cheating! • Cell phones will be turned off and put into a box at the front of the class • Class rules, schedule, office hours and grading process will follow University rules and will be posted.

25. Before the first class • Fill out and bring to class the Student profile. Write what your strengths and weaknesses in English speaking, writing, listening and reading. • Select a English name for this class (babynames.com). Create and bring a name sign to each class • Register an English email account with Google or Hotmail. • If you want to become elected class President too assist me, come prepared to the first class with a 1-2 minute speech in Chinese and English.

26. Home work #1 • Write the informal and Irish-Southern USA-youngster versions of top 50 USA names 2012. • What are the top ways to reduce Email overload? • How often each month you write English, speak English, send or receive English emails? • Do you think Chinese react differently to colors than Westerns do as described on page 107? • Select a team name, weekly team meeting times and locations and submit to the class President.

27. Homework #2 1. Fill out your FocusSheet to convince someone to purchase a laser printer. • Create a Brainstorming Picture of the issues surrounding purchasing a laser printer. • Create an Outlining Page of the issues surrounding purchasing a laser printer. • Create a Questions and Answers Page of the issues surrounding “Purchasing a laser printer”.

28. Questions, comments, opinions? Professor Dave Jaye www.davejaye.com dave.jaye55@gmail.com