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Learn the value of careful revision and writing techniques to enhance readability, clarity, and conciseness in business messages. Understand design elements, proofreading tips, and distribution considerations for message quality. Discover strategies for organizing, evaluating, editing, and revising messages effectively. Improve readability through sentence structure, paragraph length, lists, headings, and editing techniques. Explore multimedia documents, production technology, and formatting for business letters and memos.
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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