D3-eBecome familiar with writing conventions in business.
In business, writing should be straightforward and professional, but not too formal.
Buzzwords (value-added, win-win, no-brainer) and clichés (The early bird catches the worm) should be used sparingly. This kind of vocabulary is imprecise and can sound phony or insincere.
Use personal pronouns such as you and I. Where appropriate (in letters, e-mail, proposals), you can use the pronoun you to emphasize the interests of your readers. When you are addressing multiple readers, you might want to avoid using you unless it is clear that you are referring to all readers. When you are expressing your opinion, you should use the pronoun I. When you are speaking on behalf of your company, you should use the pronoun we.
It is important to avoid language that could offend someone on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Use terms like chair or chairperson instead of chairman or chairwoman. Unless it is relevant to your point, avoid describing people by race or ethnicity. If you are describing someone with a disability, use phrases like client with a disability rather than disabled client to show that you recognize the disability as one trait rather than as a defining characteristic of the person. (Also see W4 in your handbook.)
Business writing should always be concise. Avoid using words that are not essential to your point. Instead of writing at this point in time, just write now. Also avoid words that make a simple idea unnecessarily complicated. Using the passive voice often creates such complications. Instead of writing This report was prepared to inform our customers, write We prepared this report to inform our customers. (See sections W2 and W3.)