Level: Intermediate and above

Brief description:

This unit is designed to raise student’s awareness on simplifying the language they use in business email writing.

KEY CONCEPTS:

Accuracy in writing: Do your readers readily understand the main ideas in the sentences of your email?

Purposes in writing: Do you write to make an ostentatious impression on your reader?

An inconsistent writer: Do you rule out the unimportant phrases or expressions in writing?

Conventions in writing: Do you use expressions that are familiar to your readers or old-fashioned English?

Style in writing: Do you choose the words or terms you use in writing your email carefully?

Let’s begin the adventure!!!! …

Traditionally, commercial correspondence used an old-fashioned style of English. This involved using long complicated sentences with long important-sounding words.

Nowadays it is felt that this style complicates the message and often causes the reader to misunderstand what the writer is trying to say. So, modern writing styles aim to ‘get to the point’. In doing this it is necessary to make sure that:

• The message is written simply.

• Vocabulary is chosen carefully and technical jargon is avoided.

• The information is accurate and relevant.

• Sentences are short and points are put in the shortest and simplest way.

Commercialese is the long-winded, unnecessary jargon of traditional business writing. Unlike specialist jargon it is meaningless and unnecessary.

Some examples of commercialese are:

Glossary:

• Jargon (noun) special words and phrases which are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work (Biệt ngữ, thuật ngữ)

• Ostentatious (adj.): pretentious display to attract and impress others (Hào nhoáng, phô trương)

• Complicated (adj.): difficult to understand (Phức tạp)

• To ensure (verb): to make sure or certain (Đảm bảo)

• To adopt (verb): to start to use a particular method (Áp dụng)

• Significantly (adv.): having meaning or importance (Đáng kể, một cách có ý nghĩa)

• Majority (noun): the greater number or part of a whole (Phần lớn)

Writing Practice:

In the first column below are some common commercialese expressions. There are some simpler alternatives in the circle below.

Remember: Be direct, clear and concise.

WELL- DONE! You have fulfilled another mission in the adventure to master Business English. See you in the next lesson.

ANSWERS:

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).