Writing Resources
     To ensure that your writing is professional looking and error free, this page includes an introduction to the WSU Writing Center website, where you can find links to a host of websites with information to assist in composing, formatting, and revising business your business writing. Following that is a brief overview of Commonly Confused Words, speech to avoid, and basics of correct sentence/paragraph formation.

WSU Writing Center links page:

     http://departments.weber.edu/writingcenter/Helpful%20Links.htm   


COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

     The following short list is far from exhaustive, but includes the words that writers most commonly confuse because they  have similar sounds or meanings. Although the reader would most likely understand your overall communication, the error may suggest sloppiness or inattention to detail.
its vs. it's
their vs. they're vs. there
whose vs. who's 		 than vs. then
to vs. too
hear vs. here		 your vs. you're
imply vs. infer
affect vs. effect


SPEECH TO AVOID

     Time and space limitations prevent any in-depth exploration of this topic, but a few commonsense rules will ensure that your business writing sounds professional, regardless of who's reading it. 

SLANG: This ranges from "locker-room" language to less offensive words such as "butt" (If we take action on this it will save our butts . . . ). But slang also includes words such as "cool" (The speaker used this cool software . . . ). 

CLICHES: These are over-used sayings. Avoid by using descriptive language, or omit. (When the heating is on in the office, it's as hot as Hades . . .).

Q & A?


SENTENCE & PARAGRAPH BASICS

SENTENCES: We have entered an area that could be its own workshop--and is. Here we'll remind you of the ground-rules.  A handbook or online website can offer more info--or call me at x6669 if you have a question on writing sentences.
     1 Make sure there's a subject & a verb in each sentence.
     2 Use commas to separate different word groups from others.
        ex: Although I received the bill yesterday, it was paid this morning.
     3 Try to avoid overly long sentences, and too many short, choppy ones.

PUNCTUATION PATTERN SHEET HANDOUT
Q & A? 

PARAGRAPHS: The most important things to check on your paragraphs: 1) do you have one unified idea? 2) are your sentences placed in a logical way so that your reader can follow the idea? If you can answer Yes to both, then you're already on the road to success writing paragraphs. A few other helpful reminders:
     1 Make sure your paragraphs are not overly long. In business, short, informational paragraphs are best
     2 Make sure you don't have a string of short paragraphs--link these together.
     3 Use TRANSITIONS to move your reader from point to point within & between paragraphs

        ex: There's one other issue we should now address . . . 
               First, xxxx. Then, xxxx. Next, xxxx.     However, we may want to write a grant to fund this . . . 
               We should have enough staff; if not, we may need to hire additional staff . . . . 

Q & A?


OFFICE RESOURCES

     To find answers to formatting conventions for various business writing forms, you might ask your employer to buy a copy of a technical  or business writing textbook to keep as a reference. I use TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION by Mike Markel, but others are equally helpful.

     For grammar and punctuation assistance, you might try A WRITER'S REFERENCE by Diana Hacker, which comes in complete and hand-book versions. I like THE POCKET HOLT HANDBOOK by Kirszher & Mandell--but others work well, too.

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