Business English for Success
Business English for Success is a comprehensive beginning college or upper division high-school level book which delves deeply into not only writing basics, but also how to write in a business context. This book would be suitable for beginning-level writers who need to develop understanding of how good writing skills apply to business writing. There are 14 chapters; the first nine chapters are about basic writing topics--sentence structure, commonly misused words, grammar, verb tense--and include excellent exercises to reinforce the topics, as well as writing prompts (there is also an excellent and useful chapter specifically for Language Learners). Additionally, each of these chapters have a brief section that relates to business writing, so the student builds up a deep sense of how basic writing skills are related to clear, concise business writing. Chapters 10-14 focus on Business writing, including sections on research, ethics, texting, formatting and plagiarism. The final chapters progress from planning to write, research, how to write a thesis to finally, proper use of APA and MLA citations Each chapter has examples and writing prompts that aid understanding the topics. Additionally, there are excellent lists of helpful websites for each section; for example, links showing various formats for business proposals, reviews of "netiquette" and proofreading website help. The chapters in this textbook are easy to follow and similarly formatted throughout. Business English teachers would find the examples and prompts especially useful.
Business English for Success is up-to-date and relevant for today's business students. One problem was found: throughout the book, there are short paragraphs where specific aspects are highlighted, and according to the text, these sections are "underlined". However, the text does not show underlining at all, so occasionally, the text is hard to follow, particularly in the section about topic sentences.
Except this omission, the book is error-free.
The textbook relates directly to today's business students, particularly in the sections about formatting, analyzing validity of web sources, the importance of texting and "netiquette". In addition, the textbook gives timeless and straightforward tips and explanation of basic good writing.
Business Writing for Success is easy to read, and would be easy to teach from.
Business Writing for Success follows a similar format throughout its 600 pages, including exercises for each section, writing prompts, connection to Business writing as well as a summary "Key Takeaways" for each chapter. This would make an easy and accessible study guide for students.
Most of the textbook could be assigned at different points within a course, although some chapters are written without too many subheadings. This doesn't mean that the text is hard to read.
Business English for Success is easy to follow and delves deep into many topics important to students of writing.
Some example texts are difficult to read (the font size is light colored) and some charts are set too small. These problems are few.
No grammatical errors found.
Business English for Success employes excellent, varied and culturally sensitive examples.
Business English for Success is deeply comprehensive--covering a wide range of topics, such as writers block, thinking about reading, and common mistakes in writing, and so is interesting and useful beyond the standard business writing textbook. Business English for Success covers the A-Z of how to write, and would be an asset to most writing teachers, or specifically to Business Writing teachers.