We understand that being able to write in a clear and professional style is important to your business. That is why we have developed the Business Writing Institute and the Effective Business Writing class. This practice-driven business writing class will significantly improve your ability to write in English, so that your readers will receive a clear, concise, effective message. Most professionals spend at least 15-20% of their time writing for business; emails, memos, business letters, reports and other business correspondence. Our customized approach guarantees an improvement in business communication skills that will increase your productivity, success and job satisfaction.
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Benefits of business writing training classes:
- learn how to write a business letter
- discover the skills of writing a business letter
- learn to create clear business correspondence
- understand the difference of writing for business
- improve overall business communication
Business Writing Class Tips on Style - When To Write in First Person
If you don't know whether to use first person when you write, you aren't alone. Most people were either encouraged to write about their thoughts and emotions in the first person or told never to use I in formal writing.
Sensible writing style for academic and business settings lies between those two extremes.
You should use first person when you are specifically asked for your personal experience.
In business and academic writing, if you are asked to tell what happened to you, use first person. In a worker's compensation claim, for example, it would be silly for you to write as if your injury happened to someone else. And if your business instructor says to relate an experience you had as a customer, you should write it in first person. Telling a personal story in third person sounds stuffy and pedantic.
You should use first person cautiously when you are specifically asked to write your personal opinion.
Normally in business settings, when people want others' opinions as a guide to forming their own opinion, they ask for those opinions orally. There are exceptions, of course. However, when you are asked to put your personal opinion in writing, assume the person asking does not want to know what you really think.
If your opinion is probably different from that of person who asked for it, consider carefully whether ought to put your opinion in writing. Your honest opinion may be acceptable if tactfully phrased. However, if you choose to trumpet your opposition to management by writing a tactless, first-person opinion, you should be prepared to labeled "not a team player" or even "troublemaker."
You should use first person with the greatest care when you are asked to write your personal feelings.
If you are asked whether you are still feeling cold since the new heater was installed, it's probably safe to respond with how you honestly feel. However, in business or academic settings, it is so rare to be asked to write about one's emotions that you should avoid putting on paper anything that could be misinterpreted, especially if it were taken out of context. Remember the document may be read by many people other than the person who asked for it.
By keeping these three principles in mind, you can avoid unpleasantness that can arise as the result of thoughtless use of first person.
Source: Linda Aragoni link
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