basic business writing for office jobs?

Question

what kind of basic business writing should i know for a office job?What type of business writing papers would i need to do in general for office jobs?

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

Hi Danny,

Welcome to the forums.

This is really a very, very broad question. Are you asking about what forms of writing, and you are already very comfortable with your level of English?

I'm a business writer by profession. If it were really, really easy, I wouldn't have a job, because anyone could just do it. But it's certainly not hard to be successful in general business writing. Here are some things to keep in mind with business writing:

Clarity is more important than beautiful prose. Clarity is more important than anything else.

Consistency is very important.

Know your audience and know what you want your writing to accomplish. Are you informing? Persuading? Motivating? Documenting something for the record? Are you telling someone to do something, or letting them know something as a point of interest? Before you write a word, know what you want the person reading it to do with what you are writing.

Some people think that passive writing is more "official." This is nonsense. "We are exploring possible office locations" is far better than "Possible office locations are being looked into."

Some people think that big words are more "official." This is also nonsense. Use the right word for the situation, but don't look to "utlize" when "use" will work.

Tell me more about what you're looking for, and I will try to help you.

As soon as you respond, I will move this thread to the section on business writing.

Dannydavis · Answer

What type/kind of paper writing does administrative jobs have to do or know?

What type/kind of paper writes does reception/secretary's jobs have to do or know?

What type/kind of business letters,papers,writing do i have to know to do administrative,human resource,receptionist jobs please?

Dannydavis · Answer

?????

BarbaraPA · Answer

You will need to be able to simply write basic thoughts clearly and politely.

Many of the letters you would need to send will be standard formats and you won't have to invent too much.

Do you want to practice? Write something to someone named Adam Adamson, telling him that his benefit information package hasn't been received. If it's not received within 30 days of the start of his employment, he won't be able to enroll until next January. He started August 10. The person signing the letter is named Pat Peterson and Pat is a Senior Manager in Human Resources.

Dannydavis · Answer

thanks for the help

what kind of "formats" does office jobs mostly use?

What book would be good to read that has examples of writing papers for office jobs? so i can know the basics to advance for human resource jobs

BarbaraPA · Answer

You don't want to practice writing to Mr. Adamson? Okay.

I googled basic business letters and got several hits, including and this one. I think very highly of the OWL (the second link) so you may want to start here.

basic business writing for office jobs?

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