BCOM Chapter 9

In a routine business message, how long should the primary message be?

No more than 10 words

Routine business messages should be constructed like other good writing, through use of:

Reviewing, planning, and drafting

Components of Business Requests

Make request. Provide rationale. Call to action.* State goodwill.

Components of Routine Messages

-State the primary message (ten words or fewer). -Provide details in paragraphs of 20 to 80 words. -Restate the request or key message in more specific terms. -State goodwill.

Qualities that are typically found in an effective routine request:

-Sufficient detail -Direct language

In an email announcement business message, the __________ must be specific and must pique the interest of the reader so that the message will not be overlooked.

Subject Line

The following is true about business messages:

-Readers are unlikely to resist them -They convey straightforward information -Readers usually respond positively to them

When drafting a business message that includes instructions, when should you have other people read your directions to make sure they are clear enough?

-When the directions describe a complicated procedure -When the directions describe a technical procedure