Written Business Communication in English

Lectured

by

Wang Meiling

School of Economics Shandong University

Email: meiligw@sdu.edu.cn

1st Lecture Coverage

1. Introduction to the course (teacher’s view)

2. Warming-up exercise (students’ perceived nee

ds)

3. Self-evalution activity (pre-test and post-test qu

estionnaire)

4. After-class assignments

Intro to the course

Theme: Discussing the course profile

1. Pre-course requirements: ① Upper-intermediate-level English Proficiency② Practical Knowledge of International Economy and Tra

de4. Course Objective: to meet the needs of students to learn

about the business world (Learning Business), and also develop the skills they need to work effectively and professionally in it (Doing Business).

5. Course Content: basic elements of effective business writing, and analytical thinking skills

(to be continued: tbc)

Intro to the course (tbc)6 Course literature 6.1 Set book （指定教材） : 王美玲等编著 (2013). 宫

灯院校国际经济与贸易系列精品规划教材《外贸函电》，北京：机械工业出版社 .

6.2 Recommended Readings:• Holt, R. & N. Sampson (1998). 国际商业书信 . 北京 :

外语教学与研究出版社 . • Guffey, Mary Ellen (1998). 商务英语 , 5th Ed. 大连：东

北财经大学出版社 .• 胡鉴明等编著（ 2004 ），《商务英语函电》，北京：

中国商务出版社，• 陆墨珠编著 (2005), 《国际商务函电》北京：中国商务

出版社 .• Journal of English for Specific Purposes （ Elsevier)• Business Communication Quarterly (EBSCOhost)• Journal of Business Communication (EBSCOhost)

Intro to the course (tbc)

7. Course delivery method 6.1 Lecture 6.2 mostly student-centred learning activities 8. Course Achievement Evaluation

Components Weight

Class attendance 20%

Class participation and assignments

30%

Final term exam (paper-based) OR a written report?

50%

Warming-up Exercise

Directions: work in twos or threes answering the following questions :

Q1: What bizcommu skills do you expect to improve from the course? (Students’ perceived needs).

Q2: What does business writing include? Name as more as you can.

(tbc)

The Scope of Business Writing Not an exhaustive list yet∵ →too broad to cover

∴ need for a narrowed focus: essentials of biz commu

letters, adverts, circular, tags & labels, instructions, catalog, announcement, sales presentation, poster, proposals, prospectuses, market survey, business and financial news, business article, minutes, agenda, coupon, directory, house organs, policy statements, press release, program, bulletin, report, manual, booklet, inquiries, replies to inquiries, memorandum/agreement/contract, complaint, wills, orders & order forms, reference, application, certificate, introduction, resume, invitationrecruitment literature: goodwill literature, Abstract, administrative order, bill enclosure, citation,commemorative literature, Data sheet, direct-mail ad, divident notice, radio and television commercials, reports, educational literature, employee publications, financial analyses, handbills, handbooks, laws & by-laws, leaflets, legal briefs, package copy, procedure, research studies, resolutions, review of business books and articles, sign, specifications, speeches, suggestions, technical paper, training aids

Business letter as a genre: learning focus

Formal Informal

Disciplinary General

Professional

Personal

SalesLetter

PersonalStatements

PressStatements

CreditReferences

InquiryLetter

CollectionLetter

Reply toComplaints

OrderLetter

Suspension Letter

CongratulatoryLetter

Personal Letter

ApologyLetter

Love Letter

Letter toEditor

FundraisingLetterJob Application

Letter

InformationLetter

ReferenceLetter

Letter ofAdvice

Memo

DismissalLetter

ResignationLetter

CondolenceLetter

Thank YouLetter

INSTITUTIONAL PERSONAL

BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

Self-evaluation Activity: Pre-test (setbook, pp. 14-15)

Purpose: to learn about your weak points in biz commu

Directions: Complete the following fax, using one word from the following 20 words. (pls copy them down)

explain, command, possibly, message, possible, number, ot

her, credit, deliver, delivered, can, able, bill, request, on

es, balance, creditor, order, equal, delivery （ tbc)

Dear Ms DeightonOrder No. PK 2173

We received a consignment of light bulbs from you today, against the above (1). Could you sort out the following points, please?

1. 4 boxes of 100W standard bulbs arrived broken. Could you please arrange a (2) note and replacement?

2. You delivered 4 dozen boxes of CFL 13 Compact Fluorescent Lamps instead of the 14 dozen boxes we ordered. Is this an error or are you out of stock? The despatch note says 4 dozen boxes. How soon can we have the (3)?

3. You delivered 8 boxes of CFB 15 Company Fluorescent Bulbs which we did not order. Are they in place of the CFB 20s that were not (4)?

Could you get back to me as soon as (5)?

Regards ，John JamesonChief Buyer

Pre-test results report

Q No. √ (No.) ×(No.): reflections

1 order

2 credit

3 balance

4 delivered

5 possible

1. Did you find the pre-testA. extremely difficultB. above your level but challenging C. within your levelD. below your level

2. I could have done better if … (hypothetical conditions). 3. Pick out ONE from the following THREE areas in which you

think you need improvement most according to this pre-test exercise.

A. background knowledge of business practice B. business terms C. reading strategies

Post-test survey: semi-structured

Survey result

Q1 A (No) BCD

Q2

Q3 ABC

Assignments

1. Directions: Preview chapters 1-2 of the setbook and prepare your answer to the following question:

What makes today’s good business writing? (sugge

stion: what have impressed you as standards or rul

es of today’s business communication)

2. Written report of Ur findings , e.g. Survey related te

xtbooks for the course coverage in the 1980s-1990

s, and the recent few years? Any problems and you

r suggestions for solutions?