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Transcript of © 2007 Thomson South-Western Multimedia Instructor Version CHAPTER 4 Revising and Proofreading...
© 2007 Thomson South-Western
Multimedia Instructor Version
CHAPTER 4CHAPTER 4
Revising and Proofreading
Business Messages
Chapter 1, Slide 2Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Chapter 4, Slide 3Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Improving content and sentence structure—may
involve adding, cutting, recasting
Improving content and sentence structure—may
involve adding, cutting, recasting
Correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and mechanics
Correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and mechanics
Proofreading
Revising
Chapter 1, Slide 4Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Memo Revised for Conciseness
Chapter 4, Slide 5Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Concise WordingConcise WordingConcise WordingConcise Wording
Revise your messages to eliminate wordiness.
Instead of this
We are of the opinion that
Please feel free to
In addition to the above
At this point in time
Despite the fact that
Try this
We think
Please
Also
Now
Although
Chapter 4, Slide 6Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
ClichésClichés
SlangSlang
JargonJargon
RedundantWords
RedundantWords FillersFillers
NeedlessAdverbs
NeedlessAdverbs
OutdatedExpressions
OutdatedExpressions
LongLead-Ins
LongLead-Ins
WordyPrepositional
Phrases
WordyPrepositional
Phrases
ConciseConciseWritingWriting
EliminatesEliminates
ConciseConciseWritingWriting
EliminatesEliminates
Chapter 4, Slide 7Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Wordy Prepositional PhrasesWordy Prepositional PhrasesWordy Prepositional PhrasesWordy Prepositional Phrases
Instead of this
We don’t as a general rule cash personal checks.
Students in very few instances receive parking tickets.
She calls meetings on a monthly basis.
Try this
We don’t generally cash personal checks.
Students seldom get parking tickets.
She calls monthly meetings.
Chapter 4, Slide 8Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Long Lead-InsLong Lead-InsLong Lead-InsLong Lead-Ins
Instead of this
This memo is to inform you that all employees meet today.
I am writing this letter to say thanks to everyone who voted.
Try this
All employees meet today.
Thanks to everyone who voted.
Chapter 4, Slide 9Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Outdated ExpressionsOutdated ExpressionsOutdated ExpressionsOutdated Expressions
Outdated
as per your request
pursuant to your request
attached hereunto
under separate cover
Modern
at your request
at your request
attached
separately
Chapter 4, Slide 10Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Needless AdverbsNeedless AdverbsNeedless AdverbsNeedless Adverbs
To sound more credible and to streamline your writing, avoid excessive use of adverbs such as definitely, quite, really, and actually.
Try this
The manager is pleased with your proposal because the plan is workable.
Instead of this
The manager is actually quite pleased with your proposal because the plan is definitely workable.
Chapter 4, Slide 11Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
FillersFillersFillersFillers
Revise sentences to avoid fillers such as there and it when used merely to take up space.
Instead of this
There are two employees who should be promoted.
It was Lisa and Jeff who were honored.
Try this
Two employees should be promoted.
Lisa and Jeff were honored.
Chapter 4, Slide 12Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
Redundant WordsRedundant WordsRedundant WordsRedundant Words
Avoid unnecessarily repetitious words. What words could be omitted in these expressions?
advance warning
close proximity
exactly identical
filled to capacity
final outcome
necessary requisite
new beginning
past history
refer back
serious danger
Chapter 4, Slide 13Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
JargonJargonJargonJargon
Avoid technical terms and special terminology that readers would not recognize.
Computer jargon
queue
export
bandwidth
Alternative language
list of documents waiting to be printed
transfer data from one program to another
Internet capacity
Is jargon ever permissible?
Chapter 4, Slide 14Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
SlangSlangSlangSlang
Avoid slang (informal expressions with arbitrary or extravagantly changed meanings).
to “bag on”
clueless
turkey
chill/chill out
to tease, to nag, or to complain
unaware, naïve
someone stupid or silly
relax
Chapter 4, Slide 15Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
ClichésClichésClichésClichés
Avoid clichés (overused expressions). Substitute more precise words.
Instead of this
Last but not least, you should keep your nose to the grindstone.
We had reached the end of our rope.
Try this
Finally, you should work diligently.
We could go no further.
Chapter 4, Slide 16Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
IncludesVivid
Adjectives
IncludesVivid
Adjectives
UsesConcrete
Nouns
UsesConcrete
Nouns
Avoids WordyVerb/Noun
Conversions
Avoids WordyVerb/Noun
Conversions
UsesPreciseVerbs
UsesPreciseVerbs
The BestThe BestBusinessBusinessWritingWriting
The BestThe BestBusinessBusinessWritingWriting
Chapter 4, Slide 17Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
What to Watch for What to Watch for in Proofreadingin Proofreading
What to Watch for What to Watch for in Proofreadingin Proofreading
Spelling
Grammar
Punctuation
Names and numbers
Format
Chapter 4, Slide 20Mary Ellen Guffey, Essentials of Business Communication, 7e
How to Proofread How to Proofread Complex DocumentsComplex Documents
Allow adequate time. Print a copy, preferably double-spaced. Be prepared to find errors. Read once for meaning and once for
grammar/mechanics. Reduce your reading speed.