Overview: Writing Is Practical
Workplace writing is the most common type of writing outside of school. It is directed toward specific results, communicating in ways that are clear, direct, and brief. Workplace writing takes different forms, from formal business letters, meeting minutes, and applications, to brief messages, emails, narratives, and added text to letters.
Business Letters
Formal business letters include cover letters with job applications, letters requesting service adjustments, and letters for many different purposes on company letterhead. When employees send our business letters, they are required to follow the etiquette of their company, as well as following standard practices. Business letters typically include an inside address, a salutation, body of the letter, and a closing that includes the author’s signature as well as a typed name.
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes also follow a conventional style. Those attending the meeting are usually listed separately at the beginning, with old business next, any actions, new business, and details about the location and purpose of the next meeting. Although meeting minutes may make students think about club meetings, the number of meetings in most workplaces usually demand a memo. Meeting minutes are designed to summarize topics of importance. For example, in some workplaces, employees are divided into teams and workgroups. They may have regular meetings with a supervisor to discuss changes to policy or processes. The meeting minutes summarize important changes that all employees should know.
Forms and Applications
Without forms and applications, conducting business in the workplace would be limited. From employment applications to order forms, most businesses are run on forms and details. In the government and the military, those forms beget other forms. They need to be filled out accurately and completely, sometimes in ink, and sometimes online. These forms require brief responses, and include accurate recording of phone messages.
Notes and Narratives
Many jobs and careers require extensive notes, narratives, and added text to letters to clients. For example, mechanics often require clear work orders that describe the diagnostic steps taken to troubleshoot a problem. Medical personnel summarize patient care so that others can follow what dosages of medication or other actions were done. Similarly, caseworkers are required to document all actions taken on behalf of their clients, along with the state laws followed, in order to leave a clear trail of events for the next worker on that client’s behalf.
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