Successful Writing at Work by Prof. Philip Kolin (1-Jan-2012) Paperback

by Philip C. Kolin

This best-selling text is more than a comprehensive introduction for the business writing course; it also serves as a post-college reference tool for students launching their careers. Successful Writing at Work takes a practical approach to prepare students for the wide array of communication tasks they will face on the job. The text is recognized for its abundance of realistic situations and problems, broad range of real-world examples, and detailed guidelines for drafting, editing, and producing professional documents and graphics.To facilitate learning, the text is organized into four sections that build logically and sequentially. Part 1 introduces the keys to effective writing, ethics, the writing process, and collaborative writing. Part 2 explores such simple business writing tasks as memos, types of business letters, emails, and how to conduct a job search. Part 3 covers the fine points of conducting research and documenting sources. Part 4 details more complex business communication activities, from designing visuals and web sites to writing proposals, drafting short and long reports, and making oral presentations.New! Updated technology coverage includes researching with electronic and online resources; writing for the web; creating visually effective web sites; using computer programs such as PowerPoint and Corel Draw to enhance oral presentations; and learning new technologies that continue to change the way people communicate in the workplace. New! Added writing instruction covers how to prepare news releases in the chapter on Summarizing Material, and instructions for policies and regulations in the chapter on Writing Instructions. The Documenting Sources chapter features up-to-date coverage of MLA and APA documentation styles. New! Up-to-date, thought-provoking approaches to business writing include enhanced coverage of thinking globally and multiculturally when communicating in various business contexts and engaging new real-world examples that demonstrate the kinds of situations students will face on the job. New and Updated! Tech Notes throughout the text show students how technology can be used in various types of business communication. This edition retains the text's hallmark strong coverage of the writing process, ethics in the workplace, and audience analysis and writing for various audiences. Assignments and descriptions put students in a workplace mindset by asking them to imagine themselves in such roles as a customer service representative, web site designer, or job candidate.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Writing, Textbooks

Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the title says, this is a text devoted to teaching people how to write at work. Personally, I can write. And most of the tips I learned in university while conversing with professors and while writing papers. Basically: be respectful, write in full sentences, edit, and don't be insensitive to gender and culture.

This book was largely a waste of my time and it put me to sleep. I made it through maybe 3 of the assigned chapters before I just used it as a reference guide for formatting for assignments--which is why I'm giving it 2 stars. I also learned a couple of new things about formatting emails and writing complaint letters.

If you're a person who's never written a thing in your life outside of high school, this might work for you if you're having issues writing at work.

[Edwin Quist Baeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Successful Writing at Work offers clear strategies for all types of workplace writing. I used it extensively to improve clarity and effectiveness in memos, reports, and professional correspondence. A dependable resource for anyone aiming to communicate confidently at work.

[Devin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a joke on it's own, even if I didn't have a personal vendetta against it. I literally only used it for the formatting guidelines, took it with me to writing center and had my formatting double checked to the book guidelines, and lost points over the formatting this book (that the professor picked) used. When I appealed, she said, "Yes the book does say ____, but honestly in the real world _______ and you should not have done that."

I don't know if she's just a sociopath or if the author has no idea what they're talking about. Either way- all I've got is a whole lot of NOPE.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required for my professional writing course (10th edition though).
It was well laid out and had a good number of examples. Some of its computer and internet related communications seemed outdated but still good in principle.
It would be especially good for someone looking to work in a large and/or international company, as it spends a lot of time discussing international perspectives and practices.