Blog Post 123-136

Writing effectively within the workplace is one of the most important factors to any kind of businessperson.  Without proper writing techniques, a job seeker may not be able to get a job, and at the same time, others may not be able to maintain employment.  This is a skillset that cannot be emphasized enough.  Many college graduates go through their years without having proficiency in writing.  Through my personal experiences, I found that there are certain areas of writing that need more focus than others.

Grammar and punctuation are probably two of the biggest challenges that writers struggle with the most.  When participating in peer-review activities in prior English courses, it astounded me how so many students were lacking knowledge of basic knowledge and punctuation.  I could not believe how any student could be accepted into the university with such poor writing skills.  Subject-verb agreement and comma placement are usually the most common errors found in writing.

            One thing that helped me become a better writer was knowing my audience or having a conversation.  Everyone knows how to talk to certain people such as elders, professors, employers, and children.  Some writers cannot identify who they would be communicating with in their works so much of the writing may seem inappropriate for particular contexts.  A good idea to keep in mind is identifying who will be receiving the message, and writing in a manner (style or tone) that would be best suited for that situation.  In other words, make sure it sounds good to the recipient of the message.  For example, managers are not friends so they should not be treated as one.

            Another factor to be aware of in writing is to keep sentences and paragraphs not overly complex.  Long, unnecessary words and phrases do not need to be included to sound professional.  Also ideas must flow smoothly and transition well into different topics.  A well-organized and coherent written work will not be jumping around unrelated topics.  This is where paragraphs become useful because they are usually how ideas are separated.  Keeping writing simple and organized is never a bad way to go. 

Being conscious of these tips could be more than half the battle for many novice writers.  Carrying on these simple skills into the real world can really make a big impact when it comes to business.  In the end, it could make a difference when trying to get promotion or maintaining a good client relationship.

In your opinion, what is the most important factor to be aware of when writing to any kind of audience?

The website for UNC Charlotte provides a good example of persuasive style and tone to attract potential students.  While reading, I became interested in finding more information about the campus life and offerings.

" The Campus Events website is your resource for hundreds of activities and events held at UNC Charlotte throughout the year. Search this online calendar by date or event categories such as speakers, arts, entertainment, recreation, career, and more. Promote your own campus department or student organization's activities by submitting your campus events online."

This blurb makes the campus sound lively and exciting by using words such as hundreds, recreation, and entertainment.  A prospective student or parent may read this and become influenced into choosing this school.  The school uses thumbnails that make the campus look packed with students who are all excited to be there.

http://www.uncc.edu/landing/campus-life

Bovée, Courtland L., and John V. Thill. "Achieving Success Through Effective Business Communication." Business Communication Today. 12th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 2014. Print.