FORMAL WRITING SKILLS

You may be asked to write at work. The writing activities you may have to do could be:

• Messages
• Letters
• Memos
• Notices
• Instructions
• Reports
• Completing forms
• Writing in log books
• Job descriptions
• Charts
• Notes or minutes of  meetings

For most of the writing you do at work there will be rules about what to say and how to say it, and about the way to lay out the writing.

Think about some of the business writing you have seen or received.

• Are  they all written in the same way?
• Do they use similar words and phrases?
• Do they sound formal or business-like?

This pack will help you to look at what is important in writing at work. It will give you the chance to practise some of the skills.

How do these sentences make you feel?

Some of the sentences below are subjective, some are objective.  Decide how you would feel if you read these sentences in a letter or memo that was written to you at work.

Why do the sentences make you feel like this?

1. I think your staff are totally incompetent.

2. Please ensure that all forms are returned to me by the end of the month. Some problems occurred in February because of late returns.

3. It’s important you don’t mess this up again.  Last time was a disaster.

4. You’re never in the office when I need you.  What do you do all day?

5. Perhaps this matter could have been dealt with more quickly.

6. Nobody writes good English any more.  Obviously you have never learnt  the basics.

7. A few errors have occurred in recent orders and we would be grateful if all  orders could be double-checked before sending out.

8. Staff in this department are not working hard enough.