Business Correspondence and Report Writing
Business Correspondence and Report Writing
A Practical Approach to Business & Technical Communication
Fifth Edition
R C Sharma
Krishna Mohan
Formerly Professor of English
Birla Institute of Technology and Science
Pilani
Contents
Preface v
Preface to the First Edition vii
Acknowledgements ix
To the Teacher xi
PART 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION
Chapter 1 Nature of Communication 3
Communication Core 3
Process of Communication 4
Types of Communication 5
Global Aspects 8
Ethical Aspects 9
Legal Aspects 10
Communication in Organisations 11
Gender Communication 16
Communication During Crisis 18
Review Questions 18
Exercises 19
Chapter 2 Advertising Communication 20
Communication Core 20
Meaning and Characteristics 20
Communication Process 21
Models of Advertising 22
Functions of Advertising 24
Advertising Creativity 25
Conclusion 27Contents
Review Questions 27
Exercises 27
Chapter 3 Non-Verbal Communication 28
Communication Core 28
Importance 28
Means 29
Kinesics 30
Paralinguistics 33
Proxemics 38
Chronemics 39
Haptics 40
Review Questions 41
Exercises 41
Chapter 4 Barriers to Communication 43
Communication Core 43
Causes 44
Linguistic Barriers 45
Psychological Barriers 46
Interpersonal Barriers 47
Cultural Barriers 48
Physical Barriers 49
Organisational Barriers 50
Helpful Tips 52
Review Questions 52
Exercises 52
Chapter 5 Communication Technology 53
Communication Core 53
Electronic Communication Systems 54
Computer 55
Telephone 59
Internet 61
Teleconferencing 62
E-commerce 64
Duplication Technology 65
Storage Devices 66
Review Questions 66
Exercises 67
Chapter 6 Oral Presentation 68
Communication Core 68Contents
Characteristics 69
Preparatory Steps 69
Audience Awareness 70
Presentation Plan 70
Visual Aids 71
Use of Connectives 71
Discussion Session 73
Power Point Presentation 73
Sample Text of a Presentation 75
Checklist 78
Evaluation 79
Review Questions 81
Exercises 81
Chapter 7 Seminar and Meetings 82
Communication Core 82
Introduction 82
Organising a Seminar 83
Sample Brochure 83
Conducting a Meeting 87
Participating in a Meeting 88
Review Questions 88
Exercises 88
PART 2 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
Chapter 8 Principles of Letter Writing 93
Communication Core 93
Nature and Function of Letters 93
Principles 97
Review Questions 104
Exercises 104
Chapter 9 Structure and Planning of Letters 105
Communication Core 105
Elements of Structure 105
Forms of Layout 115
Styles of Presentation 116
Importance of Planning 117
Five Steps to Planning 118
Review Questions 119
Exercises 119Contents
Chapter 10 Quotations, Orders and Tenders 125
Communication Core 125
Inviting Quotations 125
Sending Quotations 127
Placing Orders 127
Inviting Tenders 135
Review Questions 141
Exercises 141
Chapter 11 Sales and Circular Letters 142
Communication Core 142
Writing a Sales Letter 143
Circular Letters 149
Review Questions 152
Exercises 153
Chapter 12 Claim and Adjustment Letters 155
Communication Core 155
Making Claims 156
Offering Adjustments 157
Review Questions 161
Exercises 161
Chapter 13 Credit and Collection Letters 163
Communication Core 163
Nature of a Credit Letter 163
Types of Credit Letters 164
Collection Procedure 167
Distinctive Features of Business Letters 170
Review Questions 170
Exercises 171
Chapter 14 Banking and Insurance Correspondence 172
Communication Core 172
Banking Correspondence 172
Samples 173
Insurance Correspondence 179
Samples 181
Review Questions 185
Exercises 186Contents
Chapter 15 Social Correspondence 187
Communication Core 187
Role and Function 187
Types 188
Social Networks 198
Review Questions 199
Exercises 200
Chapter 16 Email Correspondence 201
Communication Core 201
Importance 201
Structure 202
Procedure 202
Style 203
Guidelines 204
Jargon and Acronyms 205
Security and Precautions 206
Examples 206
Review Questions 208
Exercises 208
PART 3 REPORT WRITING
Chapter 17 Business and Technical Reports 211
Communication Core 211
Characteristics 211
Importance 213
Types 214
Routine Reports 215
Review Questions 220
Exercises 221
Chapter 18 Structure and Layout of Reports 222
Communication Core 222
Elements of Structure 222
Front Matter 224
Main Body 231
Back Matter 232
Review Questions 235
Exercises 236Contents
Chapter 19 Planning and Preparation 237
Communication Core 237
Preparatory Steps 237
Evaluation of Material 243
Note-Making 243
Organising Material 245
Principles of Organisation 246
Making Outline 249
Review Questions 249
Exercises 250
Chapter 20 Elements of Style 252
Communication Core 252
Definition of Style 252
The Scientific Attitude 253
Readability 255
Review Questions 267
Exercises 267
Chapter 21 Use of Illustrations 270
Communication Core 270
Purpose 270
Practical Hints 271
Types 271
Review Questions 285
Exercises 285
Chapter 22 Technical Description 286
Communication Core 286
Techniques of Description 286
Describing Machines and Mechanisms 287
Describing Processes 288
Sample Descriptions 288
Review Questions 292
Exercises 292
Chapter 23 Writing the Report 293
Communication Core 293
Rough Draft 293
Process of Writing 294
Order of Writing 294
The Final Draft 295Contents
Check-List for Reports 295
Review Questions 296
Exercises 297
Chapter 24 Specimen Reports 301
Communication Core 301
I: Report From Industry 302
II: Socio-Cultural Survey Report 305
III. Technical Report 311
IV: Interpretive Report 319
V: Letter Report 322
Review Questions 323
Exercises 324
PART 4 OTHER BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Chapter 25 Technical Proposal 327
Communication Core 327
Definition 327
Types 328
Characteristics 328
Structure 329
Review Questions 338
Exercises 338
Chapter 26 Memorandum 340
Communication Core 340
Function and Structure 340
Types 341
Press Release 344
Other Short Messages 345
Review Questions 346
Exercises 347
Chapter 27 Notices, Agenda and Minutes 349
Communication Core 349
Notices 350
Agenda 350
Minutes 351
Note of Dissent 355
Review Questions 356
Exercises 356Contents
PART 5 JOB-RELATED COMMUNICATION
Chapter 28 Application for Jobs 361
Communication Core 361
Importance and Function 361
Drafting the Application 363
Elements of Structure 364
Preparing the Resume 365
Helpful Hints 373
Job Offer 375
Resignation Letter 377
Review Questions 378
Exercises 379
Chapter 29 Employment Interview 381
Communication Core 381
Types of Interview 382
Preparing for the Interview 382
Attending the Interview 383
Interview Process 383
Employers’ Expectations 385
Telephone Interview 387
Negotiating a Job Offer 387
Thank-You Letter 388
Conducting an Interview 388
Negative Aspects 389
Sample Interview for a Job 389
Review Questions 391
Exercises 391
Chapter 30 Group Discussion 392
Communication Core 392
Definition 392
Process 393
Guidelines 393
Helpful Expressions 394
Types of Group Discussion 395
Group Discussion and Campus Interview 395
Evaluation 396
Evaluation Sheet 396
Review Questions 398
Exercises 399Contents
PART 6 READING AND LISTENING SKILLS
Chapter 31 Reading Comprehension 403
Communication Core 403
Reading Speeds 403
Nature of Words 404
Passages for Comprehension 405
Answer Key 421
Chapter 32 Precis Writing 422
Communication Core 422
Definition 422
Qualities of a Good Precis 423
Ten Steps to Precis Writing 423
Abridging Sentences 424
Example I 425
Example II 426
Example III 427
Do’s for Precis Writing 428
Dont’s for Precis Writing 429
Exercises 429
Passages for Precis 430
Chapter 33 Effective Listening 444
Communication Core 444
Importance of Listening 444
Hearing and Listening 445
Honing Listening Skill 446
Review Questions 446
Exercises 447
PART 7 MECHANICS OF WRITING
Chapter 34 Grammar and Usage 451
Communication Core 451
Verbs 452
Agreement of Subject and Verb 458
Sequence of Tenses 461
Use of Modifiers 463
Articles 465
Prepositions 468
Review Questions 472
Exercises 472Contents
Chapter 35 Words Often Confused 477
Communication Core 477
Chapter 36 Punctuation and Capitalization 484
Communication Core 484
Punctuation 484
Capitals 491
Chapter 37 Abbreviations and Numerals 492
Communication Core 492
Abbreviations 492
Numerals 495
Chapter 38 Using Library Resources 498
Communication Core 498
Chapter 39 Writing Thesis and Dissertation 501
Communication Core 501
Elements or Structure of Thesis 502
Writing the Document 505
Getting it Word Processed 505
Chapter 40 Proofreading 509
Communication Core 509
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A List of Business Terms 515
APPENDIX B Self-Assessment Quiz 526
APPENDIX C Sounds of English 535
APPENDIX D Soft Skills 53
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