Lutgert Cllege f Business Writing Guidelines Update n September 5, 2018 In the wrkplace yu are expected t write clearly and cherently. The Lutgert Cllege f Business faculty expect cllege level writing n all assignments. Please read this cmpletely t understand ur writing expectatins and use this as a guide fr yur assignments. The tw sample frmats prvided can be used fr mst writing assignments within the LCOB. Individual faculty may have different r mre extensive requirements.
Imprtant Infrmatin and Suggestins (Mre suggestins are available in Appendix A in a check list frmat) Carefully read yur prfessr s instructins regarding frmatting. If nt specified, the assignment shuld be written in 12 pt. fnt with line spacing at 1.5 lines. Cnsider yur audience expectatins. Use apprpriate grammar, syntax, and language t address a business audience. Avid prepsitins in beginning r ending sentences. If yur summary is step-by-step directins, but the prmpt was nt a hw t, it is nt audience apprpriate. Avid cnversatinal tne (e.g. I was wanting t have ) Use the phrase less expensive versus cheaper, r use at the present time r in the current year versus Year 0, etc. Frequently used wrds that are nt audience apprpriate: frmula, plug-in, calculate Use the same tense (past, present, future) thrughut, with apprpriate exceptins. Usually, the mst apprpriate tense is present. Gather enugh credible infrmatin abut yur subject. Organize yur ideas s they flw smthly. Limit the use f lng qutes; paraphrase surced infrmatin int yur wn wrds. Include a dcumentatin statement with references and a descriptin f any assistance frm ther individuals. Plagiarism cnstitutes academic dishnesty. Ideas and statements within the reprt must reference surces. Optinal APA style fr dcumenting references: http://www.apastyle.rg Spreadsheets shuld be well rganized and easy t read. Use brders, alignment settings, fnt settings, number settings, etc. t create a prfessinal spreadsheet. If apprpriate, include full calculatins/data/spreadsheets in appendix. Tables shuld be accmpanied by explanatins. Fatal Errr Plicy: Many LCOB faculty adhere t the Fatal Errr Plicy and will stp grading a paper if it exhibits 3 r mre f the fatal errrs belw n a single page r 9 errrs in ttal (whichever cmes first). If yur prfessr implements this plicy, yu may receive a grade f zer n the paper fr vilating the Fatal Errr Plicy. Each instance f the fllwing is a Fatal Errr: 1. Misspelled wrd 2. Sentence fragment 3. Run-n sentence r cmma splice 4. Mistake in capitalizatin 5. Serius mistake in punctuatin 6. Errr in verb tense r subject/verb agreement 7. Sentence ending with a prepsitin 8. Imprper citatin r lack f a citatin where ne is needed 9. Serius grammar errr that bscures meaning 10. Misuse f terminlgy
Students shuld use Headings Shrt paragraphs, each f which discusses nly ne tpic that matches t the heading/sub-heading f the sectin. Bulleted and numbered statements, where apprpriate Tables and charts, where apprpriate t aid in explanatin f results. Use nly shrt sentences t explain yur findings frm the tables and charts. Generally, smaller tables are apprpriate within the bdy f the reprt, while larger tables are apprpriate in an appendix. Use CRAPP (Currency, Relevancy, Authrity, Accuracy, and Purpse.) test at https://survey.fgcu.edu/survey.aspx?s=09fa1908362844e7b14dfe682421f7ba t check the infrmatin surce. Sample frmats are attached and links t examples f effective business writing can be fund here:: https://up.useremarkable.cm/prductin/images/uplads/3676/riginal/sample_business_reprt.pdf?1479137052 http://www.radtgrammar.cm/businessenglish/biz6/ *** See the sample frmats n next pages fr further instructins and suggestins.***
Sample Analytical Assignment Title Intrductin (One paragraph: 3-5 sentences) Here yu may want t write 1. Objective and gal f this reprt 2. What yu are ging t write (main sectins). 3. Brief cnclusin/recmmendatin f this reprt if apprpriate. Backgrund (One r tw paragraphs) Here yu may want t write 1. Why yu did this analysis (why it is imprtant) 2. Any backgrund infrmatin the reader shuld knw Nte: Validity f the data shuld be checked Methd r Framewrk f Analysis Yu Use (One r tw paragraphs) Here yu may want t write 1. An analytical methd/framewrk yu used/yu created 2. Brief justificatin f why the analytical methd/framewrk is apprpriate in this particular case. Data Cllectin (One r tw paragraphs) Here yu may want t write 1. Hw yu cllected data fr yur analysis 2. Summary f the data Nte: Validity f the data shuld be checked Results f Analysis (Tw t five paragraphs) Here yu may want t write and include 1. Assumptins yu made if apprpriate 2. Summary f the analysis 3. Tables 4. Charts 5. Explanatins f findings Limit use f pictures Cnclusins/Recmmendatins (One r tw paragraphs) Here yu may want t write 1. Yur cnclusin r recmmendatin. 2. Limitatins f the analysis if apprpriate. 3. Further analysis yu think necessary. References De, J. and Smith, J. (2014). What is systems thinking? Internatinal Jurnal f LCOB, 1(1), 20-25. Jhnsn, K. (2015). The definitin f systems thinking. Is it gd r evil fr the infrmatin technlgy industry? Jurnal f FGCU, 1(1), 1-2.
Descriptive Assignment Title INTRODUCTION Describe what this dcument is abut and list 4-5 main pints f the dcument. Nte: List des NOT necessarily mean a numbered list r bulleted list. Fr example, yu can write This reprt explains aaaaaaaaaa, bbbbbbbbbb, cccccccccc, dddddddddd, and eeeeeeeeee in detail. r similar. AAAAAAAAAA (Nte: This is yur 1 st main pint. Use shrt descriptive sectin heading) Explain and elabrate yur 1 st main pint. Use data, facts, expert pinins and/r examples and thus references t supprt yur explanatins. Make sure yu add in-line reference infrmatin and add the reference t the list f references at the end f the reprt. Fr example, yu write Systems thinking is defined as xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (De & Smith, 2014; Jhnsn, 2015). Fr the in-line reference infrmatin. Fllw APA reference guideline. BBBBBBBBBB (Nte: This is yur 2 nd main pint. Use shrt descriptive sectin heading) Explain and elabrate yur 2 nd main pint. Use data, facts, expert pinins and examples and thus references t supprt yur explanatins. Make sure yu add in-line reference infrmatin and add it t references at the end f the reprt. CCCCCCCCCC (Nte: This is yur 3 rd main pint. Use shrt descriptive sectin heading) Explain and elabrate yur 3 rd main pint. Use data, facts, expert pinins and examples and thus references t supprt yur explanatins. Make sure yu add in-line reference infrmatin and add it t references at the end f the reprt. DDDDDDDDDD (Nte: This is yur 4 th main pint. Use shrt descriptive sectin heading) Explain and elabrate yur 4 th main pint. Use data, facts, expert pinins and examples and thus references t supprt yur explanatins. Make sure yu add in-line reference infrmatin and add it t references at the end f the reprt. EEEEEEEEEE (Nte: This is yur 5 th main pint. Use shrt descriptive sectin heading) Explain and elabrate yur 5 th main pint. Use data, facts, expert pinins and examples and thus references t supprt yur explanatins. Make sure yu add in-line reference infrmatin and add it t references at the end f the reprt. CONCLUSIONS r SUMMARY Cnclude and summarize what this reprt was abut and yur main pints. Rephrase yur main pints. D NOT cpy the intrductin. REFERENCES De, J. and Smith, J. (2014). What is systems thinking? Internatinal Jurnal f LCOB, 1(1), 20-25. Jhnsn, K. (2015). The definitin f systems thinking. Is it gd r evil fr the infrmatin technlgy industry? Jurnal f FGCU, 1(1), 1-2.
SHORT DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF REPORT Authr s Name Date Created INTRODUCTION Write a very shrt paragraph t explain what this reprt is abut and what it des. N mre than 3 lines. BACKGROUND Write a brief backgrund f the cmpany and situatin but dn t explain t much. The details will g in the next sectins. Minimize the redundancy. N mre than 5 lines. PROBLEM (OPPORTUNITY) AND GOALS Write ne shrt sentence f the mst imprtant prblem r pprtunity. Write facts and data backing the prblem r pprtunity. Write why slving the prblem r taking the pprtunity is imprtant that leads t the list f an immediate gal and/r a lng-term gal t achieve. N mre than 5 lines. Describe immediate gal. (This is typically eliminating the bstacles the cmpany currently facing t slve the prblem r take the pprtunity.) Describe lng-term gal when apprpriate. (This is typically true reasn why the cmpany wants t slve the prblem r take the pprtunity) KEY FACTORS AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE Write an intrductry transitin statement. Write anther sentence t explain what this sectin is abut. 2 lines. Shrt descriptive sub-heading f 1 st Key Factr Write a paragraph that explains a factr affecting the prblem r pprtunity with backing evidence and/r numeric data. Explain lgic f hw this factr affects the prblem r pprtunity. Explain lgic f hw apprpriately handling this factr helps the business achieve its immediate and/r lng-term gal(s). If quantitative data regarding this factr are given r yu have cllected/estimated them, select an apprpriate quantitative analytical technique and cnducted the analysis. Then, summarize the result. Put the details in Appendix and refer that here. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Yu can use a bulleted/numbered list fr evidences. Shrt descriptive sub-heading f 2 nd Key Factr Write a paragraph that explains anther factr affecting the prblem r pprtunity with backing evidence and/r numeric data. Explain lgic f hw this factr affects the prblem r pprtunity. Explain lgic f hw apprpriately handling this factr helps the business achieve its immediate and/r lng-term gal(s). If quantitative data regarding this factr are given r yu have cllected/estimated them, select an apprpriate quantitative analytical technique and cnducted the analysis. Then, summarize the result. Put the details in Appendix and refer that here. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Yu can use a bulleted/numbered list fr evidences. Shrt descriptive sub-heading f 3 rd Key Factr Write a paragraph that explains the third factr affecting the prblem r pprtunity with backing evidence and/r numeric data. Explain lgic f hw this factr affects the prblem r pprtunity. Explain lgic f hw apprpriately handling this factr helps the business achieve its immediate and/r lng-term gal(s). If quantitative data regarding this factr are given r yu cllected/estimated them, select an apprpriate quantitative analytical technique and cnducted the analysis. Then, summarize the result. Put the details in Appendix and refer that here. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Yu can use a bulleted/numbered list fr evidences.
Shrt descriptive sub-heading f 4th Key Factr if necessary Write a paragraph that explains the furth factr affecting the prblem r pprtunity with backing evidence and/r numeric data. Explain lgic f hw this factr affects the prblem r pprtunity. Explain lgic f hw apprpriately handling this factr helps the business achieve its immediate and/r lng-term gal(s). If quantitative data regarding this factr are given r yu cllected/estimated them, select an apprpriate quantitative analytical technique and cnducted the analysis. Then, summarize the result. Put the details in Appendix and refer that here. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Yu can use a bulleted/numbered list fr evidences. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS Write an intrductry transitin sentence. Write anther sentence t explain what this sectin is abut. 2 lines. 1. Shrt descriptin f 1 st recmmended actin t achieve the immediate gal. 1-2 lines. 2. Shrt descriptin f 2 nd recmmended actin t achieve the immediate and/r lng-term gal. 1-2 lines. 3. Shrt descriptin f 2 nd recmmended actin t achieve the lng-term gal. 1-2 lines. Write a paragraph t explain lgic f why yu recmmend yur 1 st recmmended actin and hw it helps the cmpany achieve the immediate gal. If yu cnducted a quantitative analysis, use the results t supprt this idea. Refer Appendix fr the detailed infrmatin. This paragraph must have mre infrmatin than the table. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Write a paragraph t explain lgic f why f yu recmmend yur 2 nd recmmended actin and hw it helps the cmpany achieve the immediate and/r lng-term gal(s). If yu cnducted a quantitative analysis, use the result t supprt this idea. Refer Appendix fr the detailed infrmatin. This paragraph must have mre infrmatin than the table. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Table 1: Summary f Recmmended Actins 2-7 wrds that describe 1 st actin 2-7 wrds that describe 2 nd actin Prs 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds Cns 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 2-7 wrds that describe 3 rd actin 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds 3-7 wrds Write a paragraph t explain lgic f why f yu recmmend yur 3 nr recmmended actin and hw it helps the cmpany achieve the lng-term gal. If yu cnducted a quantitative analysis, use the result t supprt this idea. Refer Appendix fr the detailed infrmatin. This paragraph must have mre infrmatin than the table. Apprximately 7 lines. Add a small table r chart if necessary. Write a shrt paragraph t cnclude this reprt. N mre than 5 lines. Re-emphasize the prblem (r pprtunity) and the imprtance f addressing the prblem (r taking the pprtunity). REFERENCES (The belw are APA examples f nline surce, article in peridical, and bk.) Bernstein, M. (2002). 10 tips n writing the living Web. A List Apart: Fr Peple Wh Make Websites, 149. Retrieved frm http://www.alistapart.cm/articles/writeliving Harlw, H. F. (1983). Fundamentals fr preparing psychlgy jurnal articles. Jurnal f Cmparative and Physilgical Psychlgy, 55, 893-896. Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide t preparing manuscripts fr jurnal publicatin. Washingtn, DC: American Psychlgical Assciatin.
APPENDIX A Include the details f data, quantitative analysis and ther necessary infrmatin t back yur prblem, gals, and slutins.
Appendix A: DOs and DON Ts fr Business Writing Written Cmmunicatin Cntext f and Purpse fr Writing Pretend that yu are a prfessinal cnsultant hired by the cmpany in the case and writing a reprt t yur managers, client, business partners, gvernment agents, accuntants, lawyers, r ther prfessinals. Clearly define prblems and set gals (clearly write why yu are writing this reprt.) Explain significance f achieving the gals yu defined. Read the instructins thrughly t understand what is required t d. Write yur reprt t directly address the prblems r issues yu are required t analyze. Ask the teacher if yu are nt sure what yu are suppsed t d. Cnsider yur audience expectatins. If yur summary is step-by-step directins, but the prmpt was nt a hw t, it is nt audience apprpriate. Avid cnversatinal tne (e.g. I was wanting t have ). Genre and Disciplinary Cnventins The reprt shuld be written in 11 pt. fnt with single line spacing. Use sectin headings. Write shrt paragraphs, each f which discusses nly ne tpic that matches t the heading/sub-heading f the sectin. (As a lse guideline, dn t write mre than 7 lines fr each paragraph) Avid writing statements irrelevant t the sectin headings. Use bulleted and numbered statements with parallel structure t list main pints, facts, evidences, alternatives, r recmmendatins, where apprpriate. Use tables and charts, where apprpriate t aid in explanatin f results. Summarize numeric data in a table r chart. Use a table t make a cmparisn f alternatives easier. Use shrt phrases (3-5 wrds) t make the table as shallw as pssible. Frmat the table prfessinally by naming and numbering them as well as remving unnecessary space. Use a paragraph r paragraphs t explain yur findings frm the tables and charts. Generally, smaller tables are apprpriate within the bdy f the reprt, while larger tables are apprpriate in an appendix. Write yur reprt as it is a prperty f the cmpany that may be shared with external cnstituents. D NOT write as if yu speak r talk. Write facts as facts. Define r describe field-specific terminlgies apprpriately fr pssible readers. Avid I, my, me, we, ur, us, yu and yur. Use the cmpany name as much as pssible and avid using a persn s name unless necessary. Spell ut an acrnym when yu mentin it fr the first time. E.g. Flrida Gulf Cast University (FGCU). Avid meaningless adjective and adverb such as very and extremely. Flw f writing: smth passage frm ne t anther and hw paragraphs and sectins are separated arund the written cntent. Add transitin sentence at the beginning and/r end f each paragraph/sectin when apprpriate. D NOT use direct qutatins; paraphrase surced infrmatin int yur wn wrds. See sample frmats f a reprt n pages 5 thrugh 7 f this dcument. Als, see examples at https://up.useremarkable.cm/prductin/images/uplads/3676/riginal/sample_business_reprt.pd f?1479137052 http://www.radtgrammar.cm/businessenglish/biz6/
Cntrl f Syntax and Mechanics Use apprpriate grammar, syntax, and language t address a business audience. Crrect all f misspelled wrds. Avid misuse f terminlgy. Avid sentence fragment. Avid run-n sentence r cmma splice. Avid mistake in capitalizatin. Avid serius mistake in punctuatin. Avid errr in verb tense r subject/verb agreement. Avid serius grammar errr that bscures meaning Avid prepsitins in beginning r ending sentences. Use the phrases like a large amunt f instead f a lt f, less expensive instead f cheaper, r at the present time r in the current year instead f Year 0, etc. Frequently used wrds that are nt audience apprpriate: frmula, plug-in, calculate Use the same tense (past, present, future) thrughut, with apprpriate exceptins. Usually, the mst apprpriate tense is present. Use parallel structure when yu use a bullet r numbered list. Ask at least ne persn t prf read yur reprt. (We recmmend t use FGCU Writing center). Critical Thinking Cntent Develpment: Assure prblems are clearly defined and gals are established. Explain significance f achieving the gals yu defined. Dcument relevant data, infrmatin and evidence yu use fr analysis. Establish apprpriate analytical framewrk r select apprpriate analytical tl. Define alternatives yu evaluate. Establish apprpriate criteria fr evaluatin f the alternatives. Describe yur analysis and summarize the results. Use sectin heading t rganize yur reprt in a lgical manner as shwn abve. Assure all f the prblem, gal, evidence, alternatives, and.summary f the analysis are lgically cnsistent. Explain fully ne idea, then cnnect t the next ne. Evaluatin f Infrmatin & Cnclusin: Describe yur analysis f data, infrmatin and evidence, and summarize the results. Make a cnclusin r recmmendatin based n the data and evidence yu prvided in the main bdy. Make clear cnnectin amng the prblem, gals, evidences, yur cnclusin r recmmendatin and yur analysis and its results. Use descriptive statistics when apprpriate. D NOT intrduce new tpics in the cnclusin yu did nt mentin in the main bdy f yur reprt unless it is a suggestin fr future research. Use tables and charts, where apprpriate t aid in explanatin f results. Summarize numeric data in a table r chart. Use a table t make a cmparisn f alternatives easier. Use a paragraph r paragraphs t explain yur findings frm the tables and charts. Generally, smaller tables are apprpriate within the bdy f the reprt, while larger tables are apprpriate in an appendix. Infrmatin Literacy
Identificatin and Access f Infrmatin/Evidence: Gather enugh credible infrmatin abut yur subject. All surces are written by knwn authrs wh have credibility. Surces are NOT written by authrs wh have significant bias (E.g. A reprt written by Micrsft r Apple that praises its wn prducts). All surces are NOT utdated. Find multiple surces t validate an evidence when pssible. Lk fr infrmatin and evidence that cntradicts with yur pinin, cnclusin and recmmendatin. D NOT hide infrmatin and evidence that cntradicts with yur pinin, cnclusin and recmmendatin. Dcument references prperly bth in the bdy and at the end f the reprt. Assure yur claims are supprted by evidence which requires the in-text reference infrmatin and a list f references at the end f yur reprt. Include a dcumentatin statement with references and a descriptin f any assistance frm ther individuals. Plagiarism cnstitutes academic dishnesty. Fllw APA style fr dcumenting references: http://www.apastyle.rg Use Infrmatin Effectively t Accmplish a Specific Purpse Assure yur claims are supprted by evidence which requires the in-text reference infrmatin and a list f references at the end f yur reprt. Avid imprper citatin r lack f a citatin where ne is needed. D NOT use direct qutatins; paraphrase surced infrmatin int yur wn wrds. Tables & Spreadsheets: Spreadsheets shuld be well rganized and easy t read. Use brders, alignment settings, fnt settings, number settings, etc. t create a prfessinal spreadsheet. If apprpriate, include full calculatins/data/spreadsheets in appendix. Tables shuld be accmpanied by explanatins.