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Print Price: $114.99

Format:
Paperback
90 pp.
5 1/4" x 8 1/2"

ISBN-13:
9780195329636

Copyright Year:
2007

Imprint: OUP US

Techniques of Writing

Business Letters, Memos, and Reports, Second Edition

Courtland L. Bovee

Techniques of Writing Business Letters, Memos, and Reports is a concise supplemental text covering the basics of effective business writing in these three essential areas. The text eases the job of teaching, as students are not only told what to do, they are shown, step-by-step. Short, applications-oriented exercises enable students to practice what they have learned and allow instructors to pinpoint areas which require more work.

In this book, Courtland L. Bovee reveals the following secrets of successful writing that help students become better business writers:
* Action-oriented phrases that sell ideas and motivate others to do what you want them to do.
* Three words that can destroy favorable reactions to what you write.
* How to turn negative words into positive words.
* A simple formula that makes your writing more readable.
* How to keep your business associates and customers happy--even when you have to criticize, scold, or decline a request.
* Writing shortcuts that put across your ideas quickly and concisely.
* Writing tips that turn adversaries into friends. How to make written communication work for you instead of against you.

Part I: Principles of Written Communication
General Techniques
Write to People
Make Reading Easy
Style Is A Help
Correcting Faults in Technique
Words
Strong words
Familiar Words
Short Words
Concrete Words
Active Words
Camouflaged Words
Technical Words
Unnecessary Words
Phrases
Replaceable Phrases
Infinitive Substitutes
Obsolete Phrases
Sentences
Short Sentences
Pompous Sentences
Overloaded Sentences
Undue Enthusiasm
Crowded-Together Sentences
Hedging Sentences
Pronoun Starters
Parallelism
Awkward Pointers
Misassembled Sentences
Paragraphs
Paragraph Unity
Topic Sentences
Short Paragraphs
Part II. Principles of Writing Letters
Letter Writing Techniques
Organizational Steps
Types of Letters
Neutral
Good News
Bad News
Persuasive
Persuasion
Tone
"You" Viewpoint
Positive vs. Negative Viewpoint
Euphemisms
Confidence and Conviction
Warmth
Parallel Experience
Good Manners
Letter Mechanics
Image
Company Image
Letterheads
Format
Form Letters
Part III: Principles of Writing Memorandums
Purposes
Format
Coverage
Style
Tone
Part IV: Principles of Writing Formal Reports
Types of Reports
Introduction
Informational
Examinational
Analytical
Report Planning
Problem Determination
Problem Factors
Data Research
Research Methods
Note-Taking
Data Organization
Data Grouping
Outline Requirements
Report Elements
Title Fly
Title Page
Letter of Authorization
Letter of Transmittal
Table of Contents
Synopsis
Introduction
Report Body
Summary/Conclusions/Recommendations
Appendixes
Bibliography
Index
Data Interpretation
The Data Base
Logic
Evaluation Attitudes
Checking
Interpretation Procedure
Communication Essentials
Believability
Viewpoint
Coherence
Style
Excerpts
Footnotes
Bibliography
Illustrations and Tables
Plan
Location
General Mechanics
Tables
Final Format
Physical Presentation
Typing
Special Formats
Part V: Principles of Writing Informal Reports
Scope
Techniques
Part VI: Appendixes
A. References for Business Writers
B. Skill-Building Writing Exercises
C. Checklist of Wordy and Trite Expressions

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Courtland L. Bovee is co-author of Random House's bestselling Business Communication Today. He also wrote Business Writing Workshop (Roxbury) and Contemporary Advertising (Irwin). A lecturer and communications consultant to business and industry, he is also a member of the faculty in the business department at Grossmont College, El Cajon, California.

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