7-0 Introduction and Key Terms

Unit Six explored three stages of the message planning process: generating ideas, identifying a main idea, and organizing. The unit described how to use the creative thinking tools of brainstorming and mind mapping to generate lots of ideas. By giving our ideas a ranking of priority, we learned how to select a main idea. Finally, in 6-03, we were introduced to one of the seven management and planning tools; the interrelationship digraph. This tool helps groups to identify and gain consensus on which ideas to prioritize.

In Unit Seven, we focus on the fifth stage of the writing process: drafting. We explore the different forms of business writing and how to use structure, register, and sentence and paragraph composition to create effective messages.

Lesson One introduces business writing in its different forms, from reports to social media posts. We discover that in the modern world, the majority of business and professional communication is delivered and exchanged through email. We review a list of professional writing good practices. These include prioritizing professionalism, providing adequate context, and being concise. We also look at a host of business writing practices to avoid. These include the use of emojis and texting shorthand, excessive directness, and pointing blame whilst exonerating yourself.

Lesson Two considers the important roles that register and structure play in business writing. We learn that the appropriate level of formality is entirely dependent on the situation and context. Achieving this zone of register is paramount to establishing professionalism and credibility. Hand in hand with register is the form and structure that we give to our writing. This structure enables the reader to understand the logic of our message and argument.

In Lesson Three, we build on our planning and outlining work to begin to construct sentences and paragraphs. We are introduced to effective paragraph and sentence structure and learn how to craft topic sentences. We discuss the limitless possibilities of tone that are available to us in writing. Tone allows us to express emotion and tell the reader how to feel. Finally, the themes of unity and coherence within and between paragraphs and their significance in creating logic and credibility for the reader are explored.

In the next unit, Unit Eight we will take a detailed look at the final stage of the writing process: revising.

The following questions can be used as readying activities to introduce concepts, create participation, and encourage analytical and creative thinking. Questions can be used before you begin the unit, or at any time during each lesson.