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 marketing copy introducing the company's latest product line. Her draft is shown in the following box.

The new line of lamps is from Denmark. Most of them are expensive, but some are also beautifully designed. If you designed lamps, what would your dream lamp look like?

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

Audience-oriented perspective

Purposefulness

Economy

The new intern in your department has just finished composing a research report for the upcoming departmental meeting. He wants to make sure the report is ready to hand out and asks you for help.

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

Make sure you make an outline of your message.

Make sure you edit for grammar and clarity. Ask yourself if the message achieved its purpose and if it is appropriate for the intended audience.

It is always a good idea to do more research before the meeting, just in case you missed something.

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 drafting your message once you have gathered the information you need and completed the planning process?

45 minutes

15 minutes

30 minutes