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Moving from Academic to Business Writing Style

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Submitted By Accounting123
Words 428
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Memorandum

To:
From:
Date:
Subject: Moving from Academic to Business Writing Style

When I first entered the business world as an intern, I quickly realized that I would have to unlearn the academic writing style in order to improve my business communication skills. I have learned that being able to writing effectively and professionally is the key to being successful.

Due to the advancement in technology, the way we communicate with each other has completely transformed. Business professionals are now able to communicate instantly via e-mail, phone, and video with a simple touch of a button.

Effective business writing is a skill that can be improved with practice. Understanding the differences between academic and business writing is essential for success. Business writing differs from academic writing in terms of:
• Format
• Purpose/Audience
• Content

Business writing is composed of simple, short sentences that vary in length. It is important to write in a clear and concise manner to avoid information overload. The writer should convey the message in as few words as possible. The authors of “Writing that Works” emphasize that it is important to “write concisely, but do not be so blunt that you risk losing the reader’s goodwill” (Alred, Brusaw, & Oliu, 2013, p. 277). The use of bullet points and bold font helps to summarize the information and emphasize important details.

The two main purposes of business writing are to recommend actions and inform the audience. In business writing, the audience can include managers, stockholders, employees, and customers. As a result, the writing has to be adjusted accordingly to the intended audience. One must correctly identify the audience’s needs and expectations in order to achieve effective business communication. Business writers must be aware that their message will usually not be viewed by

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