Dear Students,
After you review all course materials please write a Positive and a Negative Letter using the Scenario Handout.

Understanding the Three-Step Writing Process

The three-step writing process helps ensure that your messages are:

• Effective (meeting your audience’s needs and getting your points across)
• Efficient (making the best use of your time and your audience’s time)

The writing process can be divided into three phases, each with specific tasks:

Step 1. Planning business messages

• Analyzing the situation
• Gathering information
• Selecting the right medium
• Organizing the information

Step 2. Writing business messages

• Adapting to your audience

Step 3. Completing business messages

• Revising your message
• Producing your message
• Proofreading your message
  • Distributing your message

When writing business messages, try scheduling your time as follows:

• Planning: About one-half of your time
• Writing: About one-quarter of your time
  • Completing: About one-quarter of your time

Devoting half your time to planning might sound odd, but doing so can save time overall.

Start with the 50–25–25 split as a guideline and use your best judgment for your project.