2. Using the 3-x-3 Writing Process as a Guide

Writing a message in a business environment can seem daunting. If, however, you understand the basic goals of business writing and the 3-x-3 writing process, you will have an easier path to composing your messages with confidence and clarity.

Read the scenarios, and then answer the questions that follow.

A design company recently hired a graduate student as an intern. After completing her first assignment, the intern asks you for feedback on the opening of an e-mail message responding to a customer problem. Her draft is shown in the following box.

For me, the problem you have with the six halogen lights is very easy to solve. I can solve it in a few minutes.

Which business writing goal is most obviously ignored in this passage?

a. Audience-oriented perspective

b. Economy

c. Purposefulness

A supervisor comes to you and asks for your opinion about a recent message he composed. He explains that there are too many facts in the message, and he is worried the reader will be overwhelmed.

What advice can you give the writer based on the 3-x-3 writing process?

Compose an outline of your message grouping similar facts together.

Don’t forget the commas between long lists of items.

The audience is a room full of scientists. Even if the facts are unorganized, the scientists will understand the message.

You are asked to send out an important letter to your business associates in Japan, and it must be sent within the next 90 minutes. You know it will take you about 30 minutes to gather all the information you will need to include in the letter. This will leave you one hour for prewriting, drafting, and revising. Because this letter is critical and will influence all future business with your Japanese associates, you know that you will use the entire hour to write the letter.

Approximately how much time should you spend on prewriting once you have gathered the information you need?

a. 35 minutes

b. 5 minutes

c. 15 minutes