Transcript Business Writing Skills


Use strong active verbs

Unbury verbs disguised as
nouns

Use active voice

Use the dependent clause

Avoid over use of
prepositional phrases
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Type
Definition
Sample
simple sentence
(independent clause)
One complete thought with
subject (noun) and predicate
(verb).
Our team completed the
project.
compound
sentence
(2 independent
clauses)
Two complete but related
The team was challenged,
independent clauses joined by a but we were happy with
conjunction.
the results.
complex sentence
(independent clause
and a dependent
clause)
An independent clause and a
dependent clause.
A dependent clause has a noun
and verb, but cannot stand
alone.
When we finished the
project, we held a team
party.

Avoid weak verbs. They convey practically
no sense of action
 do, make, perform, have
 forms of the verb to be (is, was)

Avoid nouns that are really verbs in
disguise
 Substitute verbs that create a clear sense of action
At the core of every good sentence is a
strong, precise verb.
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Make a recommendation
Formulate an argument
Arrive at a conclusion
Recommend
Argue
Conclude
Disguised verbs get buried in the sentence:
The manager came to the
realization that
telecommuting made sense.
Tip
The manager realized that
telecommuting made sense.
Look for words ending in tion
or ment. Could they be
converted to verbs?
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Frisky ate my homework. (4)
Frisky = Doer / subject of sentence
ate = Active Verb
homework = Object of action
My homework was eaten by Frisky. (6)
homework = Object as subject
was eaten = passive verb
by Frisky = Doer object of preposition
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The metropolis has been scorched by the dragon’s fiery
breath. (10)
The dragon’s fiery breath scorched the metropolis. (7)
The technicians demanded longer coffee breaks. (6)
The technicians demanded longer coffee breaks.
The explosion was caused by a kerosene lamp. (8)
A kerosene lamp caused the explosion. (6)
6
To emphasize the recipient of an action
An investigation was launched. (by accounting).
To de-emphasize negative news
Cash refunds cannot be made. (by us)
T0 conceal the doer of an action
An error was made in our sales figures.
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Active voice – less tactful
Passive voice – more tactful
We cannot grant you credit.
Credit cannot be granted.
The CEO made a huge error in
projecting profits.
A huge error was made in
projecting profits.
I launched a successful fitness
program for our company last
year.
A successful fitness program was
launched for our company last
year.
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
A dependent clause…
 Highlights the importance of something
 Links ideas together
 Shows how ideas are related

Start with a subordinating conjunction
or relative pronoun
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Subordinating
conjunctions
So
Although
After
Because
If
Where
Than
Since
As
Unless
While
Relative
Pronouns
Who What
That Why
Before
Though
When
Whereas
until
Which
How (many)
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The project was not completed on time because the
machine parts were stolen.
If at first you don't succeed, try something else.
A helium nucleus has two protons whereas hydrogen has
only one.
Energy supplies will dwindle unless we conserve.
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
in progress

on the floor

beside the garage

between the cities

of data-processing
equipment

to a Martian

by walking on hot coals

for the people

Less informative alternative to
dependent clause

Treat all ideas as grammatically
equal
– No discrimination
– No emphasis among
qualifying details

Reader is left to interpret what
you are trying to say
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In their specifications for engine parts, titanium is
often requested by engineers because of its
resistance to the effects of high temperatures. (6)
Because titanium resists high temperatures,
engineers often request it in their engine part
specifications.
• dependent clause
• active voice
• only 1 preposition
strong verb
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What to look for…..
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
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Circle the prepositions
Determine the doer
Determine the action
What to do …..
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

Use dependent clauses instead of
prepositional phrases
Use active voice instead of passive
Use strong verbs
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