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It contrasts business writing with academic and humanities styles, emphasizing specificity, accuracy, and the need for readers with limited time who may skim. The guide covers tone and formality choices, pronoun use, and active vs. passive voice to improve clarity. 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While the examples that are discussed specifically are the application letter and cover letter, this handout also highlights strategies for effective business writing in general.  \nPrinciples to keep in mind  \nBusiness writing is different  \nWriting for a business audience is usually quite different than writing in the humanities, social sciences, or other academic disciplines. Business writing strives to be crisp and succinct rather than evocative or creative; it stresses specificity and accuracy. This distinction does not make business writing superior or inferior to other styles. Rather, it reflects the unique purpose and considerations involved when writing in a business context.  \nWhen you write a business document, you must assume that your audience has limited time in which to read it and is likely to skim . Your readers have an interest in what you say insofar as it affects their working world. They want to know the “bottom line”: the point you are making about a situation or problem and how they should respond.  \nBusiness writing varies from the conversational style often found in email messages to the more formal, legalistic style found in contracts. A style between these two extremes is appropriate for the majority of memos, emails, and letters. Writing that is too formal can alienate readers, and an attempt to be overly casual may come across as insincere or unprofessional. In business writing, as in all writing, you must know your audience.  \nIn most cases, the business letter will be the first impression that you make on someone. Though business writing has become less formal over time, you should still take great care that your letter’s content is clear and that you have proofread it carefully.  \nPronouns and active versus passive voice  \nPersonal pronouns (like I, we, and you ) are important in letters and memos. In such documents, it is perfectly appropriate to refer to yourself as I and to the reader asyou. Be careful, however, when you use the pronoun we in a business letter that is written on company stationery, since it commits your company to what you have written . When stating your  \nopinion, use I; when presenting company policy, use we.  \nThe best writers strive to achieve a style that is so clear that their messages cannot be misunderstood. One way to achieve a clear style is to minimize your use of the passive voice. Although the passive voice is sometimes necessary, often it not only makes your writing dull but also can be ambiguous or overly impersonal. Here’s an example of the same point stated in passive voice and in the active voice:  \nPASSIVE: The net benefits of subsidiary divestiture were grossly overestimated.  \n[Who did the overestimating?]  \nACTIVE: The Global Finance Team grossly overestimated the net benefits of subsidiary divestiture.  \nThe second version is clearer and thus preferable.  \nOf course, there are exceptions to every rule. What if you are the head of the Global Finance Team? You may want to get your message across without calling excessive attention to the fact that the error was your team’s fault. The passive voice allows you to gloss over an unflattering point—but you should use it sparingly.  \nFocus and specificity  \nBusiness writing should be clear and concise. Take care, however, that your document does not turn out as an endless series of short, choppy sentences. Keep in mind also that “concise” does not have to mean “blunt”—you still need to think about your tone and the audience for whom you are writing. Consider the following examples:  \nAfter carefully reviewing this proposal, we have decided to prioritize other projects this quarter.  \nNobody liked your project idea, so we are not going to give you any funding.  ","cbCaio8rF7yqikIj","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaio8rF7yqikIj","pdf",135279,"English","# What this handout is about\n# Principles to keep in mind\n## Business writing is different\n## Pronouns and active versus passive voice\n## Focus and specificity\n# Business letters: where to begin\n# Application letters and cover letters","[{\"question\":\"How is business writing different from academic writing?\",\"answer\":\"Business writing aims to be crisp and succinct, prioritizing specificity and accuracy rather than evocative or creative expression. It reflects the purpose and constraints of a business context.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you consider about audience and reading behavior in business letters?\",\"answer\":\"Assume the audience has limited time and may skim, so your message must quickly communicate the bottom line—what the point is and how the reader should respond.\"},{\"question\":\"When should you use active voice or passive voice?\",\"answer\":\"Active voice usually improves clarity and avoids ambiguity or impersonal tone. Passive voice may be necessary but should be used sparingly, especially when it can hide responsibility.\"}]","The Writing Center - Business Letters - Writing business letters with application and cover letter strategies | PDF",1789566493]