Page 21 - How to write effective business English your guide to excellent professional communication by Fiona Talbot

10 How to Write Effective Business English

Academic writing requirements

Students are generally required to write structured essays, research
papers and theses. These are largely marked on the basis of how
well students have managed to access the right information, pro-
cess this, show prose/composition skills and accuracy, and conform
to a fairly standard presentation format. By and large, the structure
involves a beginning (topic and purpose), a middle (evidence and
argument, or thesis) and an end (conclusion). The words and tone
used must be relevant for the world of academe. This can require a
formal, objective, impersonal style and an extensive, specialized
vocabulary can gain marks.

Business writing requirements

The workplace is quite different. Yes, you certainly need to know
how to access the right information and process this when you write.
You need to be accurate too. Many companies require you to follow
a standard house style. But, increasingly, you may be encouraged to
make suggestions about how the house style could evolve, in view of
business circumstances and customers’ needs – and changing com-
munication expectations. This is great news for upcoming genera-
tions who can make their mark more quickly than ever before!
Attention spans are lessening, thanks to the ‘I-want-it-now’ im-
mediacy of the information age. There are fewer occasions when
business writing is seen to have the academic-style beginning, mid-
dle and end structure (other than in certain formal reports). Seize
the opportunity to develop communication skills that you may not
have come across previously.

Can you use ‘I’ in business writing?

Assess which elements of school writing to discard when you enter
the workplace. For example, time after time I hear ‘We were taught