The effective formal essay should incorporate the same adage that applies to effective speech giving; tell your audience what you are going to say (introduction), say it (body), and then restate what you have just said (conclusion). Such a formula leads to organization, clarity, and reinforces the concept of knowing your audience, all elements of effective business writing. In todayÆs highly information and communication based organization, Messmer (2001) contends that ôwriting skills are no longer simply an advantage, theyÆre a necessityö (8). Poor writing skills lead to a variety of problems, including hurt feelings, lowered morale, a waste of time and money, and even the loss of business. Poor writing not only tarnishes the image of the organization but also of the individual writer. Because of the increased importance of sound writing skills in contemporary business, a writing skills workshop is highly warranted for all current and future employees.
A writing skills workshop is highly warranted for all employees of the company. There are a number of reasons for the need for such a workshop. The advent of new technologies like email has increased the reliance in business on written communication. Along with this trend, secretaries, formerly a safeguard against poor writing skills, seldom proofread and edit employee writing in todayÆs business environment. Such trends have led to an increase in the need for sound writing while simultaneously a lack of safeguards to ensure it. As Parnell (1996) argues, ôWhile the importance of effective communications has increased-along with the volume of communicationsàthe potential for making embarrassing mistakes and careless errors in communication has also increasedö (11).
The writing skills workshop is also mandated because mistakes and errors in written business communications lead to significant impact on the organization. Parnell (1996) contends that ôGood writing a...