Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

Lesson 2
Writing in Business
Table of Contents

Learning Competencies 1
Specific Objectives 1
Learning Content 1
Topic 1
Materials 1
Reference 1
Time frame: 90 minutes 2
Learning Activities 2
Essential Question 2
Motivation 2
Warm Up! 2
Lesson Proper 3
Springboard 3
Review 4
Presentation of Lesson 4
Discussion 4
Evaluation 9
Writing Prompts 9
Values Integration 11
Synthesis 11
Synthesis Activity 11
Possible Answers to the Essential Question 13
Assignment 13
 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

Unit 3 | Introduction to Writing across the

Disciplines
Lesson 2: Writing in Business

Learning Competencies
The learner
● explains how one’s purpose is a crucial consideration in academic and professional
writing (EN11/12RWS-IVdg-11); and
● identifies the unique features of and requirements in composing texts that are
useful across disciplines (EN11/12RWS-IVdg-12).

Specific Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to
● identify various writings in business;
● examine the features of typical writings in business; and
● write a business letter.

Learning Content
A. Topic
Writing in Business

B. Materials
● Presentation slides
● Copies of sample texts of other common writings in business
● Copies of the writing prompts

C. Reference
Quipper Study Guide: Reading and Writing Skills Unit 3: Introduction to Writing
across the Disciplines

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

D. Time frame: 90 minutes

Learning Activities

Essential Question
1. If using technology, refer to slide 4 of the slide presentation.
2. If not using technology, write this on the board:
“What makes clearly written communication essential in the corporate
world?”
3. Let the students think about the question for a minute, then call on a few to give
responses. Make sure that the responses state the students’ ideas regarding the
importance of clear written communication in the corporate world.

A. Motivation

Warm Up!

Quad Activity

1. Form groups of four.

2. Ask the students to read and examine the text below.

Dear Ms. Omila:

This is to inform you that you have incurred seven counts of tardiness in the month of
August. You were late on the following dates:

August 2 – 08:18 August 10 – 08:41

August 4 – 08:39 August 12 – 10:27
August 5 – 08:22 August 15 – 09:49
August 8 – 09:03

We would like to reiterate the importance of coming to work on time as tardiness can
greatly affect the workflow. Consider this letter your first warning. Keep in mind that
habitual tardiness can lead to the termination of your contract with the company.

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

Please sign below to acknowledge that you have received this letter.

_______________
Employee

_______________
Supervisor

3. Tell them to describe the features of the text by completing the table below.

Purpose Format Perspective or Point Language Used

of View (formal or
informal)

4. Ask them to present their work in class.

B. Lesson Proper

Springboard

The teacher may say:

“Business writing serves several purposes. It could be used to request for
something, to write a cover letter, or to warn someone in the workplace of his or her
untoward actions or behaviors, to name a few. In this lesson, you will learn about

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

the different purposes of writing in business and its effectiveness in attaining one’s
goals in the corporate world.”

Review

Ask the students the following questions to tap into their background knowledge on the
topic:
● Have you written any business correspondence?
● What do you think are the features of business writing?

Presentation of Lesson

1. After presenting the questions for the review, proceed to the lesson proper.
2. If using technology, start from slide 7 of the slide presentation.
Presentation File Link

Discussion

After discussing the concepts in the study guide, you may provide the following
additional information and examples on the other common writings in business.
You may print copies from here.

Other Common Writings in Business

1. Circular letter - This is a letter written to a large number of readers at a time. It

is usually sent to company employees or customers to inform them of important
news such as a change in the name of the business, the launch of new products,
the retirement of the current CEO, or the markdown of prices for certain
products, to name a few.

Trendy Fashion House

September 17, 2019

Dear valued customers,

We are pleased to inform you that Trendy Fashion House is going to have a grand
clearance sale on our products starting October 1, 2019 to October 20, 2019 in all

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

our branches.

The grand clearance sale covers all your favorite items. We have various
collections for all genders and ages that are unique yet comfortable to wear. The
sale is up to 70 percent off, and if your purchase is worth at least Php5,000.00, you
will be given two free discount coupons for your next visit and a chance to win
attractive prizes.

We look forward to seeing you soon, and we hope that you will enjoy your
shopping experience with us.

Sincerely,

Karla Abelina
Marketing Manager
Trendy Fashion House

In this example, the marketing manager writes about the upcoming grand clearance
sale that their store will have. She mentions when the sale will run and the perks of
buying during this event. The sender has a clear understanding of what she wants to
achieve in sending this letter. It aims to persuade readers by enumerating the good
things about their offer and other benefits that they could get if they will participate
in the grand clearance sale.

2. Cover letter - It is a letter that explains the contents of an accompanying

document.

Beatrice D. Carvajal
#12 Chico St., St. Agnes Village,
Brgy. Sta. Clara, Quezon City
[email protected]
09120987654

February 9, 2019

Angelo H. Macapagal, Ed. D.

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Principal IV
Bright High School
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Dear Dr. Macapagal:

I, Beatrice D. Carvajal, am applying for a Teacher I position in your respectable

institution. As a professional teacher, I believe that being in a nurturing institution
is a great way of developing one’s self while developing others. My key strengths
include the following:
• I have created well-designed lesson plans that cater to the needs of
learners;
• I have led different committees during school programs;
• I strive for honor and excellence.
I am a graduate of Philippine Normal University – Manila with a degree in Bachelor
of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies. I had my off-campus training in
Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School. I am currently a junior high school teacher
at St. Peter School. I was the editor-in-chief of the school publication when I was in
college. From college until now, I am continually attending seminars and
workshops that may help me teach effectively. I have been the subject area
coordinator at St. Peter School for three years now. I believe that my experiences
over the years have equipped me with appropriate teaching skills that would allow
me to be an effective teacher to students of various levels. However, I know that
there is still plenty of room for improvement. I am very willing to learn while
rendering service in your good institution.

I attached in this letter my résumé, diploma, transcript of records, certifications,

and other documents that are requested in the application guide. Feel free to
contact me via email at [email protected] or via mobile phone at
09120987654.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am looking forward to working with
you and the rest of the faculty of Bright High School.

Sincerely,

Beatrice D. Carvajal

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This cover letter sample was written by someone who is applying for a job. It follows
the strict format of writing a letter, and it explicitly states the purpose of the letter
and what the sender seeks to achieve.

3. Minutes of the meeting - It is a record that states what was discussed or what
happened during a meeting.

Monthly Administrative Staff Meeting

Date: September 13, 2019

Time: 7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
Location: Sinagtala Conference Room

Chairperson: Luisa Castro, President

Secretary: Mikhail Bolvic
In attendance: Carmela Mendez, Director, Operations Department
Hedwig Perry, Director, Human Resources Department
Percival Black, Director, Finance Department
Ginny Sargent, Director, Marketing and Sales
Absent: Ronald Guzman, Director, Communications Department

Opening Remarks
At 7:05 a.m., President Luisa Castro called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved by the
attendees.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda were unanimously approved by the attendees.

Agenda 1: Year-end Party Theme

● Ms. Hedwig Perry proposed three themes for the year-end party:
○ Fictional Characters Cosplay
○ Filipiniana
○ Safari
● She explained briefly the basic concepts for each theme, with the
attendees asking for clarifications and pointing out concerns periodically.
The staff voted unanimously for the Filipiniana theme.
● Ms. Perry proposed that other related details for the year-end party be
discussed in the next agenda. Mr. Percival Black seconded the motion, and

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it was added to the agenda for the next meeting.

Agenda 2: Office Supplies and Other Expenses

● Mr. Percival Black reported on the office supplies purchased in the third
quarter. He pointed out there is a 25 percent increase in the expenses
wherein the additional 10 percent was spent by the Communications
Department and the 15 percent was spent by the Marketing and Sales
Department.
● President Castro asked Ms. Sargent to justify the additional expenditures
made by her department. She explained that they used the additional 15
percent in paying the graphic artists they hired for the latest promotion of
the company. She said that the additional pay was worth it since the
artwork of the graphic artists gained the attention of their target
consumers and increased their sales for the past month. Meanwhile, the
explanation by Mr. Guzman was deferred for the next meeting as he was
not in attendance.

Agenda for the Next Meeting

● Final Plans for the Year-End Party
● Grand Clearance Sale on November
● Updates on the Marketing Plans for the Last Quarter

Adjournment
President Castro adjourned the meeting at 8:15 a.m.

Prepared by: Mikhail Bolvic

Approved by: Luisa Castro, President

In this example of minutes of the meeting, the secretary, Mikhail Bolvic, included the
important details such as the date, time, and venue. Aside from those, he also listed
down the names of the attendees and one absentee. The minutes also contained
information about the sequence of events that happened during the meeting,
starting with the opening remarks of the meeting presider, their company president
Ms. Castro. The agenda for the next meeting is also noted down. At the end of the
minutes of the meeting, it is stated that it is noted and approved by the president;
hence, it shows that the content of the minutes is correct.

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Evaluation
Writing Prompts

Ask the students to accomplish the following exercises. You may print out copies of the
writing prompts from here.

Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

August 5, 2019

Paolo Ruiz
General Manager
Bathala Publishing Corporation
Makati City

Dear Mr. Ruiz:

I, Francis Kian H. Davide, am writing you this letter to ask your publishing company to
add 100 copies of Hiraya Pascual’s latest novel, My Heart Is an Island, to our
bookstore’s original request of 200 copies. This is due to the increasing number of
reservations made by Ms. Pascual’s readers.

I hope that you would consider granting this request despite the nearness of our
agreed upon delivery date of the books.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

Francis Kian H. Davide

General Manager
Tres Marias Likhaan Bookstore

1. What kind of business writing is the text?

2. What is the text all about?
3. What is the purpose of the sample text?
4. Do you think it was effective in fulfilling its purpose?
5. What characteristics of business writing are used in the sample text?

Examine the letter of complaint below. Then, rewrite it on a piece of paper. Follow
the characteristics of good writing and characteristics of business writing.

Gordon St., Gotham Village

Brgy. 158, Caloocan City
April 16, 2019

Ms. Cortez,

I would like to remind you that our request for transfer of phone line and internet
connection to a different location has not been approved yet. Why is that so? We are
in a hurry to accomplish this process since we will start with our online business in a
month. Please send technicians to work on our concerns within this week.

Respond right away.

Margie Vasquez

Pretend that you are the president of the youth organization in your barangay, and
you will implement changes that have been agreed upon during the dialogue between
the youth organization officers and delegates from the barangay. Write a circular letter
about the recent changes that will be implemented.

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)

Content/ The circular letter The circular letter The circular letter
Substance is missing two to has all the has all the

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

three important important parts. important parts.

parts. Most of the Most of the All the
characteristics of characteristics of characteristics of
good writing and good writing and good writing and
characteristics of characteristics of characteristics of
business writing business writing business writing
are not evident in are evident in the are evident in the
the letter. letter. letter.

Organization There is no There is a logical There is a logical

logical and and smooth and smooth
smooth transition from transition from
transition from one idea to idea to another.
one idea to another although
another. it can still be
improved.

Unity Several details in A detail in the All the details in

the letter are letter is not related the letter are
unrelated to the to the topic. relevant to the
topic. topic.

Language There are seven There are four to There are three
(spelling, or more language six language or fewer language
mechanics, errors. The errors. The circular errors. The
grammar, and circular letter is letter is easy to circular letter is
word choice) difficult to understand. easy to
understand. understand.

Score:

Values Integration
Ask the students the following question to help them connect their learning to
real-world situations:
How can stating your requests and concerns explicitly help you attain your
goals, particularly once you are already out of the academe?

Synthesis

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

Synthesis Activity

Writing the Minutes of a Meeting

1. Form groups of six.

2. Ask the students to think of themselves as a group of young entrepreneurs who
have been successful in their business ventures for the year, and they are going
to have a meeting on how they want to give back to the community by choosing
and doing two of the proposed activities:
a. Project for reducing waste in and around the school community
b. Program to help the displaced Lumad students
c. Outreach program for the farmers in their chosen community and
information dissemination about the real situation of farmers, especially
in Negros
3. Instruct them to write the minutes of the meeting about the given agenda.
4. Remind them to follow the sample text in the discussion part, but they should
give more details about what they have discussed for each agenda and how they
are going to do it.
5. Grade each group’s output using the rubric below.

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)

Content/ Three or more One or two parts All the parts of

Substance parts of the of the minutes of the minutes of
minutes of the the meeting are the meeting are
meeting are not not properly filled properly filled
properly filled out. The out. The
out. The discussion on each discussion on
discussion on agenda is clear, each agenda is
each agenda is explicit, and clear, explicit, and
unclear and well-thought-out. well-thought-out.
confusing. Necessary Necessary
Necessary procedures are procedures are
procedures are explained. well-explained.
not
well-explained.

Organization The document The document The document

does not follow follows the proper follows the
the proper format but could proper format

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 Unit 3: Introduction to Writing across the Disciplines • Grade 11/12

format. still be neater. and is easy to

follow.

Language There are seven There are four to There are three
(spelling, or more language six language or fewer language
mechanics, errors. The errors. The errors. The
grammar, and document is document is fairly document is easy
word choice) difficult to easy to to understand.
understand. understand.

Score:

Possible Answers to the Essential Question

Possible answer 1: Clear written communication is essential in the corporate world

because it makes the message easily understood and incites an immediate response from
the people/groups concerned.

Possible answer 2: Clear written communication is essential in the corporate world

because of the need to be clear and direct in such a fast-paced field.

Assignment
Have the students work on the following activity at home.

1. Compile five different examples of business writing.

2. Identify the following for each example:
a. Type of business writing
b. Purpose
c. Topic
3. Rate the effectiveness of each example between 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and
5 being the highest. Then, write a short explanation of your rating on a sheet of
short bond paper.

Criteria Score

Content
(Five different examples of business writing are presented. The rating
for each is clearly explained and substantiated with appropriate

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reasons.) 5 pts.

Organization
(Logical progression of details; clear transitions between ideas) 3 pts.

Language
(Use of proper spelling, mechanics, grammar, and word choice) 2 pts.

Score: /10

Web Box

As an alternative, students may submit their assignments online via Google Docs.
Assign the folder where all outputs will be saved. Make sure to instruct students to
“get shareable link” for their documents in comment mode.

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