Written Business Communication in English

1. Written Business Communication in English Lectured by Wang Meiling School of Economics Shandong University Email: meiligw@sdu.edu.cn

2. 1st Lecture Coverage • Introduction to the course (teacher’s view) • Warming-up exercise (students’ perceived needs) • Self-evalution activity (pre-test and post-test questionnaire) • After-class assignments

3. Intro to the course Theme: Discussing the course profile • Pre-course requirements: • Upper-intermediate-level English Proficiency • Practical Knowledge of International Economy and Trade 4. Course Objective: to meet the needs of students to learn about the business world (Learning Business), and also develop the skills they need to work effectively and professionally in it (Doing Business). 5. Course Content: basic elements of effective business writing, and analytical thinking skills (to be continued: tbc)

4. Intro to the course (tbc) 6 Course literature 6.1 Set book（指定教材）: 王美玲等编著 (2013). 宫灯院校国际经济与贸易系列精品规划教材《外贸函电》，北京：机械工业出版社. 6.2 Recommended Readings: • Holt, R. & N. Sampson (1998). 国际商业书信. 北京: 外语教学与研究出版社. • Guffey, Mary Ellen (1998). 商务英语, 5th Ed. 大连：东北财经大学出版社. • 胡鉴明等编著（2004），《商务英语函电》，北京：中国商务出版社， • 陆墨珠编著(2005),《国际商务函电》北京：中国商务出版社. • Journal of English for Specific Purposes （Elsevier) • Business Communication Quarterly (EBSCOhost) • Journal of Business Communication (EBSCOhost)

5. Intro to the course (tbc) 7. Course delivery method 6.1 Lecture 6.2 mostly student-centred learning activities 8. Course Achievement Evaluation

6. Warming-up Exercise Directions: work in twos or threes answering the following questions : Q1: What bizcommu skills do you expect to improve from the course? (Students’ perceived needs). Q2: What does business writing include? Name as more as you can. (tbc)

7. The Scope of Business Writing ∵ Not an exhaustive list yet→too broad to cover∴ need for a narrowed focus: essentials of biz commu letters, adverts, circular, tags & labels, instructions, catalog, announcement, sales presentation, poster, proposals, prospectuses, market survey, business and financial news, business article, minutes, agenda, coupon, directory, house organs, policy statements, press release, program, bulletin, report, manual, booklet, inquiries, replies to inquiries, memorandum/agreement/contract, complaint, wills, orders & order forms, reference, application, certificate, introduction, resume, invitation recruitment literature: goodwill literature, Abstract, administrative order, bill enclosure, citation,commemorative literature, Data sheet, direct-mail ad, divident notice, radio and television commercials, reports, educational literature, employee publications, financial analyses, handbills, handbooks, laws & by-laws, leaflets, legal briefs, package copy, procedure, research studies, resolutions, review of business books and articles, sign, specifications, speeches, suggestions, technical paper, training aids

8. Formal Informal Business letter as a genre: learning focus INSTITUTIONAL Suspension Letter Congratulatory Letter PERSONAL Dismissal Letter Personal Letter Fundraising Letter Memo Professional Job Application Letter Condolence Letter Apology Letter Letter of Advice Information Letter Resignation Letter Thank You Letter Personal Reference Letter Love Letter Reply to Complaints Personal Statements Order Letter Credit References Letter to Editor Collection Letter Press Statements Sales Letter Inquiry Letter BUSINESS NEWSPAPER Disciplinary General

9. Self-evaluation Activity: Pre-test (setbook, pp. 14-15) Purpose: to learn about your weak points in biz commu Directions: Complete the following fax, using one word from the following 20 words. (pls copy them down) explain, command, possibly, message, possible, number, other, credit, deliver, delivered, can, able, bill, request, ones, balance, creditor, order, equal, delivery （tbc)

10. Dear Ms Deighton Order No. PK 2173 We received a consignment of light bulbs from you today, against the above (1). Could you sort out the following points, please? • 4 boxes of 100W standard bulbs arrived broken. Could you please arrange a (2) note and replacement? • You delivered 4 dozen boxes of CFL 13 Compact Fluorescent Lamps instead of the 14 dozen boxes we ordered. Is this an error or are you out of stock? The despatch note says 4 dozen boxes. How soon can we have the (3)? • You delivered 8 boxes of CFB 15 Company Fluorescent Bulbs which we did not order. Are they in place of the CFB 20s that were not (4)? Could you get back to me as soon as (5)? Regards， John Jameson Chief Buyer

11. Pre-test results report

12. Post-test survey: semi-structured • Did you find the pre-test A. extremely difficult B. above your level but challenging C. within your level D. below your level • I could have done better if … (hypothetical conditions). 3. Pick out ONE from the following THREE areas in which you think you need improvement most according to this pre-test exercise. A. background knowledge of business practice B. business terms C. reading strategies

13. Survey result

14. Assignments • Directions: Preview chapters 1-2 of the setbook and prepare your answer to the following question: What makes today’s good business writing? (suggestion: what have impressed you as standards or rules of today’s business communication) 2. Written report of Ur findings , e.g. Survey related textbooks for the course coverage in the 1980s-1990s, and the recent few years? Any problems and your suggestions for solutions?