Writing for the Workplace: Business Communication for Professionals
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| Writing Tools Just as a doctor wouldn’t enter an examination room without a stethoscope or a carpenter wouldn’t pull up to a job site without a hammer, no writer can be without the tools of the trade a good dictionary, thesaurus, and style guide. 16 WRITING FOR THE WORKPLACE Many excellent writing reference books are on the market, both in electronic and print format. I use both. Although I often visit www. dictionary.com when I compose, I also rely on my hard copy dictionary. Dictionaries in book format allow us to browse, and sometimes the writer will happen upon a word or meaning, which doesn’t happen when you use Dictionary.com. The same goes for the thesaurus. I find the thesaurus built into Microsoft Word to be very weak. As a writer, I need to make the most out of the bounteous English language. A hardcover thesaurus is worth its weight in gold as far as I’m concerned. I use Roget’s st Century Thesaurus edited by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. I particularly like that it’s organized like a dictionary. Many good style guides are likewise available. Fora grammar guide, I use Diana Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference, 7th edition, but many excellent grammar reference books are available. Many good grammar websites can also be useful. The Grammar Book (http://www.grammarbook.com/) and the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/) are handy and reliable websites to lookup any grammar issues you may have. The important thing to remember is to keep your tools nearby as you compose. The more you use these references, the less you’ll need them. You will internalize the rules of writing as you use them. Conclusion Writing well on the job is key to career success. By breaking down writing into stages called the writing process, your end product is more likely to accomplish its ultimate purpose. When composing on the job, effective writers integrate many elements that will distinguish their work as professional, well-edited, and clear. Whether you choose hard copy or digital, use writing tools including a dictionary, thesaurus, and grammar guide to create professional documents. Doing so will help you excel in the workplace. |