Successful Writing at Work

by D.C. Heath (contributor)

Packed with real-world examples, SUCCESSFUL WRITING AT WORK: CONCISE, 4e delivers a practical yet succinct introduction to effective workplace writing for a variety of communication tasks. Based on the market-leading SUCCESSFUL WRITING AT WORK, 10e, the CONCISE edition covers the most essential skills for effective workplace communication. The text begins with writing basics, emphasizing the characteristics of effective writing, the writing process, ethics, and the importance of audience. It covers basic business correspondence, walks students through formatting letters for a variety of business situations, and features a step-by-step chapter on getting a job. More advanced chapters focus on document design and visuals, writing instructions and procedures, writing reports, proposals, and making business presentations. The Fourth Edition emphasizes ethical considerations throughout as well as integrates guidelines for greening the workplace.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Writing, Textbooks

693 pages, 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 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.