1. hobbies and interests
2. reading

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RECAP
“knowing your audience”
“choosing words”
“sentence construction”
FUNDAMENTALS OF
BUSINESS WRITING - 3
BUS 340 – Business Communication
M Wahidul Islam
Summer 2015
PARAGRAPHS
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Giving paragraphs unity
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Keeping paragraphs short
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Making good use of topic sentences
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Leaving out unnecessary details

Making paragraphs coherent
GIVING PARAGRAPHS UNITY

Sticking to one single topic or idea, with
everything in the paragraph developing this topic
or idea.
At the university I studied all the basic accounting courses as
well as specialized courses in taxation, international accounting
and computer security. I also took specialized coursework in the
behavioral areas, which emphasizes on human relations.
Realizing the value of human relations in business, I also activity
participated in social activities and organizations. I selected my
elective coursework to round out my general business knowledge.
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KEEPING PARAGRAPHS SHORT

About 8 lines in one paragraph.

As always, it should vary as required

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What about one line paragraphs?
What about long paragraphs? More than 10 lines?
MAKING GOOD USE OF TOPIC SENTENCES
The topic sentence expresses the main idea of
paragraph, and remaining sentences build
around and support it.
 The topic sentence serves as a headline for the
paragraph, and all the other sentences supply the
story.
 Placement of the topic sentence depends on the
content and writer’s plan
 Making good use of topic sentences

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

MAKING GOOD USE OF TOPIC SENTENCES
IDENTIFY THE TOPIC SENTENCE
A majority of the economics consulted think that business activity
will drop during the first quarter of next year. Of the 185
economists interviewed, 13% looked for continued increases in
business activity and 28% anticipated little or no change from the
present level. The remaining 59% looked for a recession.
This significant role of inventories in the economic picture should
not be overlooked. At present, inventories represent 3.8 months’
supply. Their dollar value is the highest in history. If considered
in relation to increased sales, however, they are not excessive.
Thus, inventories are not likely to cause a downward swing in the
economy.
Topic sentence first
Topic sentence at end
Topic sentence within the paragraph
LEAVING OUT UNNECESSARY DETAILS
At the university I studied all the basic accounting courses as
well as specialized courses in taxation, international accounting
and computer security. I also took specialized coursework in the
behavioral areas, which emphasizes on human relations.
Realizing the value of human relations in business, I also activity
participated in social activities and organizations. I selected my
elective coursework to round out my general business knowledge.
Numerous materials have been used in manufacturing this part.
Material 232, however, is superior of them all. When built with
Material 232, the part is almost twice as strong as when built
with the next best material.
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MAKING PARAGRAPHS COHERENT

Paragraph should be “coherent”

Relationship between parts should be clear


Presenting in logical order
Making paragraphs coherent
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Repetition of key words
Use of pronouns
Transitional words
MAKING PARAGRAPHS COHERENT
Because your advertising seminar is so well planned, I am
confident that it can provide a really valuable service to
practitioners in the community. To be truly valuable, I think you
will agree, each session must be given the time a thorough
preparation requires.
Ever since the introduction of our Model V nine years ago,
consumers have suggested only one possible improvement – voice
controls. During all this time, making this improvement has been
the objective of Atkins research personnel. Now we proudly report
that these efforts have been successful.
Two reasons justify moving from the Crown site. First, the soil in
the area was found to be questionable. Second, the transportation
cost to the site is very high due to the distance form the site to
major areas.
Transitional Words: in addition, besides, in spite of, in contrast,
however, likewise, thus, therefore, for example, also
END
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