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Businessproseassignment Yergler
Businessproseassignment Yergler
Memorandum
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Using Transitions
Transitions are words or phrases that connect your ideas and paragraphs by
signaling a change. They help a reader easily follow the content of the
writing. My essay employs effective transitions. For example:
The next step in addressing the problem is to brainstorm possible
alternatives.
The words the next step signal a shift in topic. I used this to allow my
readers to know that I was moving to the next step, the next topic, in solving
the problem addressed in my essay. Transitions are important in connecting
your writing.
Recognizing Idioms
According to Business Writing Today, idioms are, phrases that we use all the
time that mean more than the sum of their words (p 92). My essay was free
of idioms. It is important to avoid idioms in business prose because, while
they are commonly used in our everyday language, they will confuse readers
whose first language is not English.
Tone Traps
Humor and sarcasm are examples of tone traps, things that can easily be
expressed verbally but can be easily misinterpreted in writing. My essay was
written with a serious tone, so I avoided sarcasm or humor. I used facts to
convey my message, so I avoided tone traps. Its important to avoid tone
traps because they can misconstrue the intended message.
Keep Paragraphs Short and Use Topic Sentences
Keeping paragraphs short and using topic sentences maintains a readers
attention better because, generally, business content is informative but not
incredibly interesting.
Short Paragraphs. People are more likely to read paragraphs in
business writing if they are short. A paragraph in business prose style