{"id":638,"date":"2020-02-27T20:16:28","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T01:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=638"},"modified":"2021-06-02T12:31:53","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T16:31:53","slug":"professional-writing","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/chapter\/professional-writing\/","title":{"raw":"Professional Writing","rendered":"Professional Writing"},"content":{"raw":"<h2><span style=\"color: #808080\">Clear Communication is a key element of professional writing, and a skill that employers value. Being able to write clear, effective research reports will position you as articulate and well-informed.<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h2>Business Writing: Clear, direct and brief<\/h2>\r\nBusiness writing must flow well. Because people are busy and distracted, you must be brief, clear and direct.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use few adverbs or adjectives<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organize your ideas and make sure they progress logically<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Keep sentences and paragraphs short<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use lots of space between paragraphs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Proofread your writing, and if possible have someone else proofread it also to make sure that your grammar, punctuation and formatting are correct.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2>How to Write a Research Report<\/h2>\r\nMost business reports are research reports \u2014 reports that start with a thesis or topic statement, present key points supported by evidence, and conclude with recommendations. Because people are busy, they tend to scan, not read closely, so reports must be clear, brief, and well-organized. Businesses depend on these reports and their recommendations, so research sources must be valid and current.\r\n<h3>The Parts of a Research Report<\/h3>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Thesis statement<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Overview<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Key Point 1, with supporting evidence<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Key Point 2, with supporting evidence<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Key Point 3, with supporting evidence<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Summary<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Recommendations\/Next Steps<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bibliography<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Thesis Statement: What is this report about?<\/h3>\r\nThe thesis statement is the report\u2019s foundation. It tells the reader what your report is about, and provides a clear path for the reader. The thesis statement starts with your main recommendation, followed by three key reasons. It looks like this:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">[Recommendation] because [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3]<\/p>\r\nHere are three different thesis statements:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">We should hire three new customer service representatives because they will decrease customer wait times, increase sales, and keep the store tidier.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Trello is the best task management app for our company because it\u2019s online, easy to use, and stakeholders can see and share all parts of the project.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">I will seek work as a digital marketer in the video game industry because I have 3 years of experience in digital marketing, a great professional network of people in video game companies in Vancouver, and my strengths and career goals are consistent with the local industry\u2019s needs and practices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Overview: Provides context and why it's important<\/h3>\r\nThe Overview starts in a new paragraph after the Thesis Statement. The Overview provides background information that the reader needs to know, but only information that's absolutely necessary for the reader to understand the report.\r\n\r\nFor example, from a report stating the need to replace an electrical power system in Vancouver:[footnote]BC Hydro, \u201cWest End Substation Community consultation report,\u201d p. 3, June 15, 2018, https:\/\/www.bchydro.com\/content\/dam\/BCHydro\/customer-portal\/documents\/projects\/west-end-substation\/west-end-substation-community-consultation-report.pdf[\/footnote]\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"74\"]\r\n\r\nHere's a longer example, from a report on the livability of Vancouver:[footnote]Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 7,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf[\/footnote]\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"75\"]\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The Body: Reasons, supported by evidence that proves the reasons<\/h3>\r\nThe body of your report provides evidence that supports your recommendation and reasons. Start with the strongest reason and then provide evidence to convince the reader. Then move to the 2nd most important reason and evidence to support it. Finally, write the third reason and provide evidence for it.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The Body is the longest part of the report<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Divide the body into one Key Point for each reason; give each Key Point a descriptive heading<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Divide each Key Point and supporting evidence into short paragraphs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Evidence must be valid, current and appropriate. Include citations for all sources, including conversations and social media. Almost every sentence might be cited<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nLead the reader carefully. Describe the reasons and evidence so clearly that the reader agrees with your recommendation and believes it to be appropriate and viable.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Summary: Summarize the Reasons and their evidence<\/h3>\r\nThe Summary summarizes the recommendation, 3 Reasons and their supporting evidence. It reminds the reader of your reasons and why they're valid. (Repetition adds clarity and helps convince.)\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>No new information is presented in the Conclusion<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The summary is typically 1-3 paragraphs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThis is the Summary from the report on Vancouver\u2019s livability:[footnote]Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 34,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf[\/footnote]\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"76\"]\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Recommendations\/Next Steps: Now what?<\/h3>\r\nRecommendations\/Next Steps are the final section of your report. They are clear, logical results of the 3 Key Points and their evidence. Typically written in a numbered or bulleted list, Recommendations\/Next Steps must be clear, <strong>precise<\/strong> and actionable.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n\r\n<strong>Next Steps<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Sales managers meet with Customer Service managers to define skillsets of the new positions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Customer Service provides HR with preferred skills, traits and qualifications of potential employees<\/li>\r\n \t<li>HR recruits and screens qualified applicants<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sales, Customer Service and HR representatives interview short-listed applicants<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Customer Service managers confirm their preferred applicants to HR<\/li>\r\n \t<li>HR contact, hire and onboard the new employees<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Recommendations<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Join 3 networking clubs or events before the end of semester<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Research the qualities of successful LinkedIn profiles<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Update my LinkedIn profile<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sign up for daily or weekly job posting notifications<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Research 1 possible employer each day<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Do volunteer work that's related to my industry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Look for social and career-related Meetups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Take the Project Management certification<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Bibliography: Your sources<\/h3>\r\nThe Bibliography is on a separate page following the report. It's an alphabetical list of your research resources. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/889\/2020\/11\/LSM-Style-Guide-Sample-Assignment-202110.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Example Assignment<\/a> for details\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2>Formatting your Report<\/h2>\r\nPlease see the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/back-matter\/style-guide-for-documents\/\">Style Guide<\/a> for details. Organizations have different style guides for their publications. If your organization doesn't have style guide, use the one provided here.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;background-color: #6699ff\">\u00a0 Self-assessment\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">[h5p id=\"70\"]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;background-color: #99cc00\">\u00a0 Canadian Workplace Quiz\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\r\n[h5p id=\"56\"]","rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #808080\">Clear Communication is a key element of professional writing, and a skill that employers value. Being able to write clear, effective research reports will position you as articulate and well-informed.<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2>Business Writing: Clear, direct and brief<\/h2>\n<p>Business writing must flow well. Because people are busy and distracted, you must be brief, clear and direct.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use few adverbs or adjectives<\/li>\n<li>Organize your ideas and make sure they progress logically<\/li>\n<li>Keep sentences and paragraphs short<\/li>\n<li>Use lots of space between paragraphs<\/li>\n<li>Proofread your writing, and if possible have someone else proofread it also to make sure that your grammar, punctuation and formatting are correct.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>How to Write a Research Report<\/h2>\n<p>Most business reports are research reports \u2014 reports that start with a thesis or topic statement, present key points supported by evidence, and conclude with recommendations. Because people are busy, they tend to scan, not read closely, so reports must be clear, brief, and well-organized. Businesses depend on these reports and their recommendations, so research sources must be valid and current.<\/p>\n<h3>The Parts of a Research Report<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Thesis statement<\/li>\n<li>Overview<\/li>\n<li>Key Point 1, with supporting evidence<\/li>\n<li>Key Point 2, with supporting evidence<\/li>\n<li>Key Point 3, with supporting evidence<\/li>\n<li>Summary<\/li>\n<li>Recommendations\/Next Steps<\/li>\n<li>Bibliography<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Thesis Statement: What is this report about?<\/h3>\n<p>The thesis statement is the report\u2019s foundation. It tells the reader what your report is about, and provides a clear path for the reader. The thesis statement starts with your main recommendation, followed by three key reasons. It looks like this:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">[Recommendation] because [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3]<\/p>\n<p>Here are three different thesis statements:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">We should hire three new customer service representatives because they will decrease customer wait times, increase sales, and keep the store tidier.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Trello is the best task management app for our company because it\u2019s online, easy to use, and stakeholders can see and share all parts of the project.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">I will seek work as a digital marketer in the video game industry because I have 3 years of experience in digital marketing, a great professional network of people in video game companies in Vancouver, and my strengths and career goals are consistent with the local industry\u2019s needs and practices.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Overview: Provides context and why it&#8217;s important<\/h3>\n<p>The Overview starts in a new paragraph after the Thesis Statement. The Overview provides background information that the reader needs to know, but only information that&#8217;s absolutely necessary for the reader to understand the report.<\/p>\n<p>For example, from a report stating the need to replace an electrical power system in Vancouver:<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"BC Hydro, \u201cWest End Substation Community consultation report,\u201d p. 3, June 15, 2018, https:\/\/www.bchydro.com\/content\/dam\/BCHydro\/customer-portal\/documents\/projects\/west-end-substation\/west-end-substation-community-consultation-report.pdf\" id=\"return-footnote-638-1\" href=\"#footnote-638-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-74\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-74\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"74\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Example Overview\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a longer example, from a report on the livability of Vancouver:<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 7,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf\" id=\"return-footnote-638-2\" href=\"#footnote-638-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-75\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-75\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"75\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Overview - long example\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>The Body: Reasons, supported by evidence that proves the reasons<\/h3>\n<p>The body of your report provides evidence that supports your recommendation and reasons. Start with the strongest reason and then provide evidence to convince the reader. Then move to the 2nd most important reason and evidence to support it. Finally, write the third reason and provide evidence for it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Body is the longest part of the report<\/li>\n<li>Divide the body into one Key Point for each reason; give each Key Point a descriptive heading<\/li>\n<li>Divide each Key Point and supporting evidence into short paragraphs<\/li>\n<li>Evidence must be valid, current and appropriate. Include citations for all sources, including conversations and social media. Almost every sentence might be cited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lead the reader carefully. Describe the reasons and evidence so clearly that the reader agrees with your recommendation and believes it to be appropriate and viable.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Summary: Summarize the Reasons and their evidence<\/h3>\n<p>The Summary summarizes the recommendation, 3 Reasons and their supporting evidence. It reminds the reader of your reasons and why they&#8217;re valid. (Repetition adds clarity and helps convince.)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No new information is presented in the Conclusion<\/li>\n<li>The summary is typically 1-3 paragraphs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is the Summary from the report on Vancouver\u2019s livability:<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 34,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf\" id=\"return-footnote-638-3\" href=\"#footnote-638-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-76\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-76\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"76\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Summary example\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Recommendations\/Next Steps: Now what?<\/h3>\n<p>Recommendations\/Next Steps are the final section of your report. They are clear, logical results of the 3 Key Points and their evidence. Typically written in a numbered or bulleted list, Recommendations\/Next Steps must be clear, <strong>precise<\/strong> and actionable.<\/p>\n<p>Here are two examples:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Sales managers meet with Customer Service managers to define skillsets of the new positions<\/li>\n<li>Customer Service provides HR with preferred skills, traits and qualifications of potential employees<\/li>\n<li>HR recruits and screens qualified applicants<\/li>\n<li>Sales, Customer Service and HR representatives interview short-listed applicants<\/li>\n<li>Customer Service managers confirm their preferred applicants to HR<\/li>\n<li>HR contact, hire and onboard the new employees<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Join 3 networking clubs or events before the end of semester<\/li>\n<li>Research the qualities of successful LinkedIn profiles<\/li>\n<li>Update my LinkedIn profile<\/li>\n<li>Sign up for daily or weekly job posting notifications<\/li>\n<li>Research 1 possible employer each day<\/li>\n<li>Do volunteer work that&#8217;s related to my industry<\/li>\n<li>Look for social and career-related Meetups<\/li>\n<li>Take the Project Management certification<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Bibliography: Your sources<\/h3>\n<p>The Bibliography is on a separate page following the report. It&#8217;s an alphabetical list of your research resources. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/889\/2020\/11\/LSM-Style-Guide-Sample-Assignment-202110.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Example Assignment<\/a> for details<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Formatting your Report<\/h2>\n<p>Please see the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/back-matter\/style-guide-for-documents\/\">Style Guide<\/a> for details. Organizations have different style guides for their publications. If your organization doesn&#8217;t have style guide, use the one provided here.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;background-color: #6699ff\">\u00a0 Self-assessment\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\n<div id=\"h5p-70\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-70\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"70\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Professional Writing Quiz\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;background-color: #99cc00\">\u00a0 Canadian Workplace Quiz\u00a0 <\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"h5p-56\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-56\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"56\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Business Cultural Norms Quiz-Professional Writing\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-638-1\">BC Hydro, \u201cWest End Substation Community consultation report,\u201d p. 3, June 15, 2018, https:\/\/www.bchydro.com\/content\/dam\/BCHydro\/customer-portal\/documents\/projects\/west-end-substation\/west-end-substation-community-consultation-report.pdf <a href=\"#return-footnote-638-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-638-2\">Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 7,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf <a href=\"#return-footnote-638-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-638-3\">Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, \u201cGreater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018\u201d, 2018, p. 34,\u00a0 https:\/\/www.boardoftrade.com\/scorecard2018\/assets\/pdf\/summary-report.pdf <a href=\"#return-footnote-638-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":845,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-638","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":21,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/845"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1796,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/638\/revisions\/1796"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/21"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/638\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=638"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=638"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/lucindaatwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}