Business Writing
Sub-module 5 – Creative and Persuasive Documents
Reading and Assignment
Required Reading: (Taylor)
Part 6 – Creative and Persuasive Documents
Read all the chapters (21 – 27)
Assignments
Part 1 – Complaints and Adjustment (in forum – feedback and reply)
Write a complaint and claim for compensation (in the same letter) based on one of
the following scenarios:
You travelled on a charter holiday to Spain. The flight was delayed meaning
that you did not arrive at your beachside hotel until after midnight. Upon
arrival at the hotel you were informed that the hotel was fully booked and you
were transferred to a hotel further inland. Write to the travel agency that
booked your holiday to complain and make a claim.
You ordered a new outfit from a renowned supplier for the Nobel dinner in
Stockholm’s City Hall. After numerous delays, the outfit finally arrived the day
before the event but it turns out the supplier sent the incorrect size. You then
had to rush around various clothes stores trying to find a suitable outfit. Write
to the supplier and make a complaint and claim.
You recently moved into a newly renovated flat/apartment. The building is
equipped with an Italian experimental warm air heating system which has not
been able to cope with the Swedish winter. You have been forced to
purchase and use electric heaters resulting in an electricity bill that is twice as
high as normal. Write to your landlord to complain and make a claim.
Post your complaint and claim in the forum (groups of three) and give feedback to
each other’s work. Point out any issues with structure of information and possibly any
gaps in information that would result in the recipient having to ask follow-up
questions about the complaint.
Reply with an adjustment. Choose one of the complaints in your group and reply with
an adjustment responding to the complaint and approving or denying the claim. Post
the adjustment in the forum.
Continued below…
2
Part 2 – Leaflet or Handout (Dropbox)
The local municipality is considering closing a local park, containing a children’s play
area, paddling pool and basketball court to make space for new apartment buildings.
While the city is desperately short of accommodation, you feel that closing the park
will have negative consequences for the community.
Write a leaflet or handout which you can distribute in the community, informing local
people about the proposal and the possible consequences. Acknowledge the
possible benefits but aim to persuade people that negative consequences will
outweigh them. Inform people about how they can contact local politicians to make
their opinions known and influence the decision making process.
Your leaflet/handout should be easy to read and make economic use of space so
should not be too long.
Submit your leaflet/handout in the dropbox.
Part 3 – Press Release (Dropbox)
Write a press release informing about one of the following developments:
A new product that will have a significant impact on the market
A change of location for your company that will allow for more advanced
production
A change of format for your media production company
Your company is moving its visitors’ centre to a new location
Max 1 A4 page (1½ line spacing)
Submit your press release in the appropriate dropbox (not in the forum)