Business Communication For Success Rhetorical Analysis

Business Communication for Success describes good writing as characterized by “correctness, ease of reading, and attractiveness; and yet also meets the reader’s expectations and is clear, concise, efficient, and effective. The rhetorical elements (logos, ethos, and pathos) and cognate strategies (clarity, conciseness, arrangement, credibility, expectation, reference, tone, emphasis, and engagement) are goals that are achieved in good business writing” [McClean. S., 2010]. Outlined below are 5 of these strategies found in Chapter 4 that are used in business writing:

1. Clarity:

Clarity in one's writing involves making the content easy to read and understand. Clarity allows for the reader to understand what you are trying to say without

having to struggle to understand. Your sentences should be short, engaging and grammatically correct. Formatting of documents to clearly display and order your information is also important for clarity.
Example:
I have been responsible for creating training materials for laboratory equipment in the lab I worked in. It was important that I use clarity when creating these SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedure’s) as the purpose of these procedures were to provide a resource available for someone to refer to who had no previous experience with the equipment. It needed to give exact clear simple directions on how to use the equipment, the text needed to be brief, clear and easy to understand.

2. Conciseness:
Being concise in your communication means creating a message that is very specific, to the point and definitive. By being concise you avoid being vague and avoid miscommunications or misunderstandings.
Example:
I have used the strategy of conciseness in a business environment when I created an agenda for a staff meeting. It was important to include in this agenda all the items to be addressed at the meeting but to keep the descriptions as brief as possible as the meeting was an only an hour.
3. Credibility:
Credibility is how you are perceived by your audience both in writing and verbally, it is the degree to which you are believed. Credibility becomes important when the messages out are trying to communicate will be difficult for your recipient to believe. Your credibility will be what convinces others that what you say is true. Aspects that are involved in credibility include your perceived level of being trustworthy, authority and credentials or expert knowledge.
Example:
As an inspector with Federal Government in my country, I must always ensure my credibility is maintained.

I carry a badge and must present this at establishments I am in charge of. I have a name and title stamp I use on official documents which help's in expressing the messages I am communicating. When requesting corrective actions at establishments it is important I communicate the importance of compliance and credibility aids in expressing my authority.

4. Tone:

The tone in writing involves the writer's attitude. The attitude can be toward the reader or about the topic being discussed. The overall tone of a written message affects the reader just as the same as the tone of your voice can affect the listener in verbal communication. The tone of a message will reflect back on the writer and can affect how the reader will perceive the message. [ Purdue OWL: Business Writing, 2016]

Example:

I recently sent an email to my supervisor to express my displeasure regarding a change in work hours. In this case, I used my tone in the email relay my frustration regarding this change. I let her know I had already made appointments based on the original schedule and requested more notice next time.

5.

Emphasis:
Emphasis involves placing strong verbal cues in your writing to relay to your audience or recipient the importance of your words. It is used when you need to strongly word a message to let someone know there is no room for misunderstanding or leniency. The message needs to be understood and be done in such a way as to allow the reader to know your intent. The use of an exclamation point is sometimes used to express emphasis.
Example:
I recently needed to send a strongly worded email to the manager at one of the establishments where I am an inspector. This particular establishment had been reminded in the past that they were not allowed to run or create a product without letting me know as there is a daily presence requirement and if they are running I need to be there. This establishment ignored this rule and I needed them to understand that this was serious. I sent them a passage from the legislation outlining the requirements and what the penalty was if they did not comply. I used emphasis to ensure they knew this was serious and I needed them to comply.

References:
1. McLean, S. (2010). Business communication for success. Nyack, NY: Flat World Knowledge.
2. "Welcome to the Purdue OWL." Purdue OWL: Business Writing. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 July 2016.