Jefferson Estates Ln Apt H
Mishawaka, IN 46545
rolweave@[Link]
512-429-0016
4/30/2025
Erinn Kelley
English Department at Indiana University South Bend
1700 Mishawaka Ave
South Bend, Indiana 46613
Dear Erinn Kelley,
I am writing to express and evaluate my progress throughout the 2025 spring semester
in your English W232 course. I want to emphasize the improvements I have made in my
personal and professional writing. As that has allowed me to become a better business
communicator. Throughout this course I have become more comfortable with and
aware of business writing practices. Which has allowed me to do better in both this
course and my personal life.
In the beginning of this semester, I did not know much about common business writing
techniques. Especially when it comes to concise writing and positive emphasis. I was not
confident in myself as a business communicator. I did not have the skill set needed to
create a resume, cover letter, or the professional letter I am writing now. This course has
allowed me to have a better understanding about business writing. It has given me more
confidence in my professional writing skills.
I have become especially aware of how to adapt your writing for a specific audience.
Such as knowing when positive emphasis is needed, how to convey negative reports,
and how to handle a professional conflict. Especially when it comes to building goodwill
which was not a technique I had known before. Building goodwill was a technique used
in the beginning of the semester. When I had to write a professional response to deny a
customer's request. Similarly we must use goodwill in our business reports. So that we
can establish a strong and positive relationship with our target audience.
Through this course I have learned to change my wording and create positive emphasis.
Which was not something I had thought much of previously. I would use the word
“unfortunately” in lots of situations. Where it was not necessary and created a negative
view. Similarly I have thought more about the conciseness of my writing. In business
writing you do not want to waste your audience's time with wordiness. I realized I use a
lot of fluff words and unnecessary comments in my writing before without realizing it.
The course has allowed me to think more about typos and grammatical errors. My final
business report has made me realize how important those aspects are. As I know my
final draft has some errors and re-reading brings me grief. Whereas previously I might
have brushed these types of issues off. This class has really allowed me to understand
and value writing connotations.
Jefferson Estates Ln Apt H
Mishawaka, IN 46545
rolweave@[Link]
512-429-0016
4/30/2025
Erinn Kelley
English Department at Indiana University South Bend
1700 Mishawaka Ave
South Bend, Indiana 46613
Similarly it has allowed me to reflect on the words we use. It can be easy when you are
writing something that feels important to use complicated words. They can make you
feel as though your writing is better or smarter. However with our recent final
presentation I have really come to value that “easy” words are the best for a broad
audience. That it is more important to ensure that someone understands you than how
you say it.
Business writing goals that I plan to implement are practicing the skills I have learned.
Through consistently updating my resume and understanding the value that goes into a
cover letter. I had previously not realized how important these skills actually are. This
course has helped me gain a sense of professionalism that I plan to practice more of.
Before I think I had an idea of professionalism, but not a way of implementing it.
I will continue to think about the value of good writing in business communication.
How important that can actually be both professionally and personally. There is a
certain amount of value to professional writing that this course has given me.
Previously it was not something I had thought much about at all.
Throughout this course I have been given the skills to succeed in business
communication and writing. It has allowed me to practice and improve on my skills
with hands-on exercising. As it has placed an emphasis on areas such as structure,
wording, and audience. Allowing me to become a more confident and effective
communicator.
Sincerely,
Robin Weaver