Background in Business Writing
Business writing refers to professional communications such as strategy guides, policy recommendations, report summaries, advertisements, press releases, application letters, emails, and memorandums. Public and private entities rely upon these documents to communicate vital information, both internally and externally, regarding the condition and conduct of their business. Business writing is not really taught at university or even at many companies. As a result, most employees learn through trial and error, leaving room for potential costly or embarrassing mistakes. I believe that many of the principles of good technical communication are also applicable to business writing. Business communications should communicate information effectively, efficiently, and succinctly.
My approach to business communications is to:
Be direct. There is no need for frivolous language in business writing—there is no need for three words when one will do. Additionally, I take steps to ensure that my point is as close to the beginning of the message as possible.
Keep the audience in mind. I consider things like how much the audience knows and how much the audience cares about the information being presented.
Write results-oriented communications. I believe that business writing should use an active voice and compel the audience to take action, like meeting certain requirements or standards.
Business Writing Sample 1
Summary:
In my Writing for Science and Technology course (EH 540), I was tasked to produce a short communication guide for a specific audience that needs to communicate science and health information during the COVID-19 pandemic. I chose to write my guide for the Veterans Health Administration to offer advice, strategies, and best practices to improve their communication during a pandemic. I consulted with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while writing this guide.
Applicability to Industry:
This communication strategy guide demonstrations my ability to:
Define communication and business objectives to create an effective communication strategy
Write evidence-based strategies that are well researched, relevant, specific, and actionable
Implement document design best practices
Business Writing Sample 2
Summary:
In my Writing for Science and Technology course (EH 540), I was tasked to write a press release about a recent, newsworthy scientific or technical topic that interested me. My press release was centered around the study summarized in this Human Reproduction Open article. This press release was written in the format required by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Applicability to Industry:
This press release demonstrates my ability to:
Write for a large, mainstream audience to ensure a wide variety of groups understand the core message
Select relevant quotes that humanize content, which helps readers understand exactly why the new product, service, or event is important
Guide readers toward more relevant information if they want to write a more in-depth analysis or feature. This information includes contact details and links to relevant documents or web pages
Business Writing Sample 3
Summary:
In my Writing for Science and Technology course (EH 540), I was tasked to write a news story about a recent, newsworthy scientific or technical topic that interested me. My news story was centered around the study summarized in this Human Reproduction Open article. This news story reported on only the most essential information in a concise and impartial manner following the inverted pyramid style, which organizes information by descending order of importance or places the most newsworthy information at the beginning of the article. This news story was written in the format required by Women’s Health Magazine.
Applicability to Industry:
This news story demonstrates my ability to:
Follow the Associated Press (AP) style to provide consistency in writing across media outlets and publications
Synthesize and simplify information
Select appropriate sources and verify information obtained from those sources (fact-checking)
Write objectively, presenting the facts and leaving it up the audience to decide how to feel about the information