Writing for Business Courses
Business Letters
Remember to check the business homepage for strategies for successful writing in business classes, curated by business professors.
In business classes, students are given scenarios and told to craft a letter that responds to or addresses that scenario. This type of assignment helps build student confidence in their ability to communicate under varying circumstances. Take a look at an example business letter writing assignment:
CHAPTER 6 LETTER.docAs you can see, a scenario is outlined, and the student is meant to respond using formal language and and proper formatting, covering the scenario concisely and clearly. You'll also notice the option to write the letter as inductive or deductive.
Inductive vs Deductive Business Writing
Inductive Writing in letters is where evidence is presented first, and the statement, action, or conclusion is given afterwards. For example, using the above scenario, the writer may reiterate the value of their company and terms of their Standard Contract, and end by letting the receiver know that InfoSearch has been approved for credit. Inductive writing is helpful for presenting complex evidence before providing the conclusion. Another example:
"Our recent sales data shows a significant drop in the Northeast region. Customer surveys indicate dissatisfaction with our delivery times. Therefore, we should focus on improving our logistics in the Northeast."
Basically, use this method to slowly get your audience on board with your idea before you've given it.
Meanwhile, Deductive Writing is flip-flopped. In this type of business letter, the information is presented (or the statement is made) in the opening paragraph and then the remaining paragraphs provide reasons and support. In the above example, that means that the writer would let InfoSearch know they were approved for credit, then reiterate the terms of that agreement. This is great for straightforward and quick communication, or even for delivering bad news directly. Another example:
"To improve customer satisfaction, we are implementing a new delivery system that will guarantee faster shipping times in the Northeast region."
An excellent business letter...
Uses a concise, formal tone and appropriate word choice
Shows understanding of the audience
Has proper formatting, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. These basics are far more important than students often realize.
A positive tone, using a problem-solving approach.
Common errors in business letters are...
Use of passive voice
Use of colloquial phrasing (slang)
Statements unsupported by research
Improper Formatting
Redundancy
Example Business Letter (Scenario: Letter to the Editor)
See the example below, paying particular attention to the formatting, formal tone, and concise wording.
BUS 2017-Letter to the Editor - Mya.pdf