California State University, Northridge



DR. JAY'S "WRITE" HOME PAGE

Welcome to Dr. Jay's Power Writing Home Page. Many of my students will find these pages and links helpful in their writing assignments. In addition, for others visiting this home page, they may find hints that will help them in writing reports, memos, presentations, and letters. From time to time I will provide sayings, exercises, and concepts that will assist day-to-day writing.

Because this page is being created after numerous book readings and courses, I realize you want other links and ideas not entirely understood. I will provide an e-mail address, allowing you to communicate at any time.

The following contents hypertable includes the necessary links and added links:

Everything You Need to Know about the Course

So You Want to Know about Specific Documents?

Benefit Yourself with Writing Exercises

How about Some Writing Tools and Aids?

Writing Requires Inspiration and Perspiration

So You Think You Know How to Find a Position and Keep It?

Oral Communication Requires Special Effort

Become the Total Communicator

Hotlinks That Will Allow Even More Communication Experiences

English As Second Language Needs Special Consideration

Office Politics As a Political Tool

Negotiating As Communication Success

Proposal As Prelude to Analytical Report

Necessity of Personal Statement

Usefulness of Article Summaries

Problems with Search Engines

Time Management As Communication Concept

Tables and Charts Enhance Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Proofreading Strikes the Mark

Memory Makes the World Go Around

Nonverbal Communication Helps Us Live

Lost Art of Business Letter Writing

By popular demand I am now going to try to classify the different links so it will be even easier to find the information and with minimum effort. Course materials will be considered first:

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Everything You Need to Know about the Course

Syllabus for Course

Grading Standards

Class Policies for Success

Office Hours for Current Semester

Books and Selected, Recommended References for the Student

Different Assignments during Semester (Including Due Dates)

So You Want to Know about Specific Documents?

Memo Analytical Report

Writing Memos in General (including Report Progress)

Proposal Memo As Prelude

Importance of Knowing E-Mail and E-Mail Etiquette

Writing the Executive Summary

Business Plans Make Money

Article Summaries Allow Reflection

Letters . . . We Get Stacks of Letters

Benefit Yourself with Writing Exercises

Grammatical and Punctuation Exercises

Jargon, Weasel Words, and Gobbledygook Exercises Updated

Report Sentences and Phrases

Importance of Talking Captions Catching the Reader Updated

Answers Mysteriously Appear Updated

English As Second Language Needs Special Consideration

How about Some Writing Tools and Aids?

Footnotes and Bibliography Formats Count

Spelling Gives Me Trouble Updated

Become a Verbivore Updated

Technical Vocabulary Should Be Understandable

Readability Indexes Become Clear

Survey Questions Need Careful Construction

Define Keywords Carefully with Search Engines Updated

Tables and Charts Enhance Reports (Including Tie-In and Makeup)

Proofreading Strikes the Mark Updated

Writing Requires Inspiration, Time Management, and Perspiration

Inspirational Sayings about Writing and Inspiration Software

Miscellaneous Thoughts from Anywhere about Good Writing

Releasing the Creative Juices You Have

Time Management Helps Communication Life

So You Think You Know How to Find a Position and Keep It?

Resumes, Application/Cover Letters, and Employment Communications Updated

Making a Difference with Networking

Successful Job Interviewing

Oral Communication Requires Special Effort

The Art of Conversation

Listening in the Information Age

Hints for Giving a Fine Presentation Updated

Meetings Require Active Participation Updated

Become the Total Communicator

Ethics Always Need Fine Tuning Updated

Etiquette, Dress for Success, and Ways to Succeed

Office Politics As a Communication Tool

Negotiating Ability Improves Communication Success

Personal Statement Becomes Necessary

Memory Makes World Go Around

Nonverbal Communication Helps Us Live

Reading Helps Us Acquire Knowledge

Check the Hotlinks

Hotlinks Provide Advice

Provide the Syllabus

Although you can purchase the syllabus for this business writing course, you may want to look at the same material on the Web. You may want to download and just print certain pages of the syllabus for your convenience. The syllabus dates will change from semester to semester. Also, you may find deletions and additions to the assignments and the coverage in class.

Know the Grading Standards

You will notice the grading standards in the purchased syllabus. Further, you may want to download and print the grading standards for handy reference in your notebook or somewhere else. Don't forget to look at both numbers when you receive a graded assignment. The top number immediately tips you off how you understand the content and the style. Style means your personal expression of your thoughts. In this case, you want to strive for active writing that encourages the use of verbs.

Operate with Policies

Policies mean how you can effectively act in the classroom. They suggest the importance of etiquette or executive etiquette in the classroom. You will notice that policies for success include the issue of late work and the class demeanor so important to learning. One semester I had a student who placed his feet on the desk or table and constantly interrupted. This type of behavior is not appropriate for the college classroom.

We are not going to spend our time correcting students who exhibit high school behavior. A college classroom is a place for learning, not expressing doubts about the requirements for etiquette.

Help Occurs with Office Hours

Office hours mean different things to different folks. For some people it is a chance to chat about the impending assignment. For others they can unburden their concerns in a face-to-face meeting with the professor. For whatever reason you should take advantage of the office hours and see your professor. So few students for one reason or another never visit their professors' offices. What a shame. You may need that professor's name later for a recommendation or to sign some paper. You should know what the person is like. Often, you can come to a professor you know for advice. Don't be afraid to visit the fourth floor and find your professor's office at BB4214. No one will bite, and you will be glad you came.

On your syllabus you are given office hours and other opportunities for communication. Please either come personally, drop an e-mail, or leave a voice mail about any concerns you have. Your professors are here to help.

Selected References Help Growth

Selected references allow you to peruse the bibliographic list and find those books that help you write more clearly. Often, you will find a book on grammar or punctuation for additional hints. You may want a book on business writing style. Additionally, I will provide titles of books on the Web that are quite recent.

Note the Assignments for Updates

Eventually, it may not be necessary for the bookstore(s) to sell the syllabus. You may find almost everything you need, including the weekly assignments, on the Internet. Those assignments will include letters, memos, parts, presentations, and out-of-class exercises. Please check this link for weekly assignments and any hints to help you prepare for these assignments. Also, updates will be included on the Internet. Remember that the most recent additions to the weekly assignments are on the Internet.

Memo Analytical Report Requires Different Interpretation

For years the College of Business required a full-blown analytical report bound with special parts. Now, our department is trying a memo analytical report with the essential elements kept. Your syllabus reflects a traditional analytical report that will require considerable modification. Check this Web page often for how the memo analytical report differs from the traditional analytical report.

Memos Affect Us All

Memos are the lifeblood of business. Few businesses can operate without some form of memo. That memo may be an e-mail in today's business, but it, nevertheless, is a memo. Please check this link about memos and memo formats for hints on preparing this important business document.

E-Mail Becomes Necessary to Know

A brave new world of communication has reached us. We now need to know how to send communications by e-mail and the proper "netiquette" for sending those messages. Please check this link for e-mail format and advice to improve the sending of these electronic messages.

Add the Polish of Executive Summaries

What is the part of the report read first? You guessed it. It is the executive summary. Therefore, this link was created to represent that most important part of the analytical report. Please check this link for summary hints that will make your report so much better.

Grammar and Punctuation Add Ingredients

Grammatical and punctuation exercises are meant to cause the student to think about these subjects. Particularly, I will try to include exercises about agreement of subject and verb, use of antecedents, and interpretation of commas and semicolons. Also, it is never appropriate to think apostrophes don't count. One should know about the technique of using "of" to see whether an apostrophe is needed.

Jargon Possesses a Double-Edged Sword

Jargon usually contains two elements: technical and gobbledygook. Sometimes jargon is useful when one wants to communicate quickly with acronyms and short phrases. An overworked phrase like "the bottom line" communicates quickly what the message is. However, overworked phrases like "per this letter" and "at this point in time" often turn off the listener instead of communicating the omessage. In numerous books by such well-known authors as Blake and Bly and Zinsser, jargon called gobbledygook is attacked. Jargon and gobbledygook are exercises not to be overlooked.

Report Sentences Need Careful Construction

This section of the Web page means sentences relating to purpose, problem, scope, considerations, analysis, and decisions will be included. You will have a chance to improve the faulty construction and illogical thinking implied in selected sentences and paragraphs.

Talking Captions Catch the Reader

Students continue to have trouble with talking captions. Talking captions are not questions or one word. Please check this link for examples of talking captions and exercises to improve your talking caption writing. As you think about talking captions, remember they are meant to stop and let the reader pause about your good thoughts. Even figure titles in charts require talking captions for effectiveness. Don't be upset if your company does not use talking captions; perhaps, it does not realize the value of this technique.

Answers Mysteriously Appear

Certain students have asked me for the answers to the Grammatical and Punctuation Exercises as well as the Jargon and Gobbledygook. These answers are provided on their own link, so you will have a chance to do the exercise before checking your answer. This link may be withdrawn if the exercise is used as an out-of-class assignment. In the meantime, look for the link for answers to help you check what you have done.

Bibliography Provides Structure

When you start preparing bibliography for research reports, you need tools to make your life easier. In this link you will see ideas for bibliographical entries and ways to structure certain thorny problems in writing footnotes and bibliography. Don't forget under hotlinks1.htm you have a link with Purdue University for handling electronic sources, such as the Internet.

Spell Checker Doesn't Always Work

Spelling is not something to neglect in good business writing. You need to pay attention to the construction of words. This link about the spell checker not being the answer to all words is worth considering. I will also cite spelling references that help the business writer. Please check this link, and let me know what words you would like to add.

Become a Verbivore

To truly succeed in business, you need to become a verbivore with your business communication. You need a method to become a lover of words. Words will assume prominence in your tool bag when you write. You may someday write non-fiction articles or some type of serious publications that others will want to read. Your words are your money in the bank. Please check the site about verbivores for more help on increasing your vocabulary.

Technical Vocabulary Should Not Throw Us

Sometimes we just want to know technical vocabulary that relates to the computer or whatever. For instance, when someone uses the phrase, "spamming of the queue," it would be nice to know what that means. This link about technical vocabulary and computer terms should aid your understanding.

Readability Determines the Level

Students constantly need to check their readability of documents they prepare. A good device is the readability index. We have learned three different indexes, and you will find some discussion of these indexes on the readability link. Remember that readability indexes as guides are influenced by the choice of words, the length of words, and the length of sentences.

The Instrument Determines the Data

Certain students have asked about additional help to write their questions for their questionnaires and interview guides. This link about questions and more questions allows anyone interested to check out question examples and ways to improve writing of the questions. Question writing is a art that needs to be practiced.

Inspiration Requires Perspiration

Whenever someone is writing, hearing how others conquered writer's block or whatever problem adds to the enjoyment of creating a piece of good writing. This section of the Web page will be devoted to encouraging through any reasonable means possible your enjoyment of the subject. You may have dreaded writing a business communication in the past; that will change. Check inspiration writing.

Miscellaneous Thoughts Provide Bridge

Those titles and some thoughts about their contents will be contained under Miscellaneous Thoughts on Improving Writing to encourage contemporary thinking.

Business Communication Requires Creativity

In addition to the mindmaps and other creative endeavors, you will experience creativity whenever you write thoughtfully. Creativity requires planning and that spark from your right brain. Stay tuned to this section for DeBono's thinking and others about how to release your creative juices.

Guerrilla Tactics Do Work in the Job Market

This section was inspired because many students and non-students graciously visit each semester about their concerns with the tools of job search: resumes, application letters, and employment letters. Now that 205 does not sufficiently cover resumes and cover letters, perhaps this link is needed more than ever. In this link I will provide some of the best thinking of writers and practitioners of the job search. So many good books and references exist. Please stay tuned to this link for information about the

tools of job intelligence .

Network Your Way to Success

Networking represents a crucial part of communication. You need to meet people, especially individuals engaged in the same line of work you want to pursue upon graduation. Therefore, this link is devoted to networking your way to success. In this link you will find helpful questions, related hints, and suggestions for writing networking memos.

Conversation Requires Listening

Conversation is a most neglected skill in our society. The art of conversation is almost lost. To become a good conversationalist, you have to be a good listener. You have to be willing to learn from the other person as you practice the art of the conversation. Don't let the TV or other technological advances get in your way. Practice makes perfect.

Listening Furthers Communicating Power

Listening, a most neglected activity, needs some special attention. In addition to always remembering the S (Sensing)-I(Interpreting)-E(Evaluating)-R(Responding), certain ideas about listening deserve our best thinking. In this link you will be exposed to the best thinking about listening concepts.

Presentation Requires Thought

You have been asked to prepare a presentation. Obviously, you have something worthwhile to say, or you would not have been asked. This section of the home page allows you to visit with the authorities in how to give a presentation. For your benefit, I will also offer some ideas based on years of hard knocks about what to do and what not to do in giving a presentation. Therefore, please check the presentation hints for thoughts about this crucial subject in business communication.

We all have to give presentations. Work life is made up of presentations. Most people fail miserably at giving presentations, because they forget the information has to communicate. Look for opportunities to give presentations and the responsibility to show your audience you understand what you are talking about.

Meetings Sometimes Become Necessary

In this link you will learn about whether meetings have a place in business communications. Meetings are often considered a necessary evil, but there are many ways to improve the use of meetings. You should treat meetings as important from the leader's and the member's viewpoints. Both viewpoints contribute mightily to the success or failure of a meeting.

Ethics Can Never Be Overlooked

As you know, ethics is dear to my heart. We cannot operate effectively without ethical standards in our business communications. Too many people are trying to go through life with situational ethics. The issue of plagiarism will also be considered on this ethical link. Please check out your ethical standards by visiting this part of the Web.

Good Manners Mean Good Business

You are judged by the way you act and appear. A sloppy dress for success can label a person as a sloppy person. In this link you will be introduced to the thinking of Letitia Baldrige, Judith Martin, and John Molloy. They will talk you about the need for etiquette and good manners. Manners make the person. Therefore, enjoy this link of etiquette, dress for success, and ways to succeed. I may even quote management thinkers like Peter Drucker and Tom Peters who talk about ways to success.

Check Those Hotlinks

Also, please refer to hotlinks1.htm for additional help with writing skills and special exercises. In addition, this section features various links that allow you to learn about all kinds of writing. Furthermore, even some fun links are provided.

Send me an e-mail at jchristensen@huey.csun.edu

Copyright(c)G. Jay Christensen, 1997, All Rights Reserved

Last updated, Wednesday, September 24, 1997

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In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

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