Message Enhancement Techniques for Business Writing

Authors

Sierra Sloan, Brigham Young University
Dr. William Baker, Brigham Young University

Keywords

business communication, verbal protocol analysis, VPA, written business communications

College

Marriott School of Management

Department

Strategic Management

Abstract

The business world requires efficiency and accuracy to be profitable, and poorly written business communications can waste time and resources. Thus, any research that seeks to enhance the effectiveness of writing has the potential to yield significant personal and organizational improvement. While most writing-analysis studies examine the text directly using various textual-analysis methods, this study fills the gaps in academic research by analyzing text through the verbalized mental processing of the audience, or verbal protocol analysis (VPA), resulting in richer and more accurate conclusions. In particular, this study uses VPA to analyze the effect of typical message enhancements used in business writing: headings, agendas, direct vs. indirect structure, and visuals.

Recommended Citation

Sloan, Sierra and Baker, Dr. William (2014) "Message Enhancement Techniques for Business Writing," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 1022.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/1022