Talks : Communication in Business Contexts
to popular belief, when accountants and auditors enter their profession they don't simply work
fibers. Communication forms a large part of their work, as they deal with people all the time —
sensitive contexts where they need to demonstrate a high level of language proficiency.
•
I
prepare accounting and auditing students for written and spoken interaction during their working
ley Talks: Communication in Business Contexts is a communication textbook like no other. The book
>tudents through the vital soft skills required to function optimally in a business environment.
iclude proposal and report writing, as well as lessons on how to conduct meetings and prepare both
I written presentations.
atures include:
:rcises (with solutions) and case studies with a realistic business focus to
:pare the student for the working world.
el-life examples from accounting and auditing firms.
ocus on interpersonal skills such as listening and interviewing techniques,
iflict resolution, teamwork and leadership.
zlish grammar presented in an interesting and integrated way in the form of a grammar toolkit.
'alks is written in a fun and engaging way and focuses on practical applications that will equip
s to become well-rounded professionals. on(F-N
or Danie du Plessis is Head of Department of Communication Science at Unisa. Dr Finuala Dowling
e-winning author well known for her expertise in language teaching. The late Dr Sheila Steinberg
easoned and well-known author on introductory communication science textbooks.
M
tvw.heinemarin.co.za for student and lecturer support material.
v!
1,,
•
••
- ,41
•
• 40"7-
•• - •
•
einemann
n imprint of ISBN 978-0-79623 175-8
me du
9 78 PI 11
23175 8
. len-man
o ■
S2erll[ISirga
,fig
rn.omnrnrflic,- thon DJ8jIusss Cauflax
,Published by Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd ryr_~~K.1 fir
(DJ\ ;
Heinemann House, Grayston Office Park
128 Peter Road, Athol Ext 12
Sandton 2196 Preface
P.O. Box 781940, Sandton, 2146, Johannesburg, South Africa
About the authors
www.heinemann.co.za
LCHAPTER 1 Introduction to communication
O in text: The authors, 2009
© in published edition: Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd,.2009
1.1 Introduction 2
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, 1.2 Defining communication 6
republished, reused, photocopied, reprinted, digitised, adapted, 1.3 What can we learn from models of communication? 8
performed in public, broadcast, transmitted, disseminated or stored 1.3.1 The sender or communicator
in any manner or form by means, whether for commercial or non-commercial
8
purposes, without the prior written authorisation of the Publisher. 1.3.2 Message 8
1.3.3 Channel/medium 9
First published by Heinemann Publishers in 2009 1.3.4 The receiver or recipient 9
13 12 11 10 09
1.3.5 Feedback 10
54321
1.3.6 Noise 12
ISBN 978 0 79623175 8 1.4 Communication in organisations 17
1.4.1 Internal communication and external communication 17
Project management by Silvia Raninger
1.4.2 Hierarchies 18
Book design by Flame Design
Cover design by Flame Design 1.4.3 Flow of internal organisational communication 19
Illustrations by Rudi Elliot and Walter Pichler 1.4.4 Formal and informal networks 20
Indexing by Cecily van Gend 1.4.5 Virtual teams and networks
Typesetting by Baseline Publishing Services 23
1.4.6 Communication climate in the organisation 25
Printed and bound by MT Book Printers, Cape 1.4.7 Ethical challenges in the workplace 26
1.5 How to strengthen your communication skills 28
150=47
,mined
1.6 Summary 30
OFFS0
ISO 12647 compliant
Acknowledgements I CHAPTER 2 The reading process 31
Every effort has been made to contact the copyright holders of materials used.
In the event of unintentional omissions or errors, copyright holders are requested 2.1 Introduction
to contact the publisher to make the proper arrangements. 32
2.2 Reading at word level 33
2.2.1 Word recognition 34
2.2.2 Adjusting to words in context 36
2.2.3 Distinguishing between homophones 38
2.2.4 Connotation and implication 39
2.3 Reading at sentence level 41
2.3.1 Sentence types 41
2.3.2 Linking words 42
2.3.3 How punctuation affects meaning 44
2.4 Increasing reading speed and reading efficiency 45
2.4.1 How fast should you be reading? 45
2.4.2 Tips for faster reading 45
, 46 4.2.3 Content
2.4.3 Predicting what a text will be about
47 4.2.4 The complimentary close
2.4.4 Grasping the main ideas of a text 48 4.3 Memoranda
2.4.5 Reading interactively
49 4.4 Instructions and procedures
2.5 Summary 4.5 Reports
50 4.5.1 Report sections
CHAETER 3 English grammar toolkit
4.5.2 Types of report
51 4.5.3 Terms of reference
3.1 Introduction
51 4.5.4 Overview, summary, abstract
3.2 The base word and its inflections
53 4.5.5 Methodology, procedure
3.2.1 Plural
55 4.5.6 Findings
3.2.2 Possessive 33rr 4.5.7 Conclusions
3.2.3 Third person singular
56 4.5.8 Recommendations
3.2.4 Past participle
57 4.5.9 References and appendices
3.2.5 Contracted negative
57 4.6 Summary
3.2.6 Objective pronoun
59
3.2.7 -ing and -ed form
60 CHAPTER 5 The writing process
3.2.8 -er and -est comparison
61
3.3 Compound words
62 5.1 Introduction
3.4 Word classes
63 5.2 Task analysis
3.4.1 Row dictionaries help
63 5.2.1 Advise
3.4.2 Noun and verb pairs
64 5.2.2 Explain, clarify
3.4.3 Adverbs that cause trouble
65 5.2.3 Identify
3.4.4 Adjectives that cause trouble
67 5.2.4 Examine, analyse, critically review, interpret
3.5 Sentences
67 5.2.5 Describe or define
3.5.1 Simple sentences
67 5.2.6 List, name
3.5.2 Compound sentences
67 5.2.7 Summarise
3.5.3 Complex sentences
69 5.3 The planning stage
3.5.4 Passive voice and active voice
70 5.3.1 Collecting ideas
3.6 Sentence elements
71 5.3.2 Drawing up a paragraph plan
3.6.1 Verb
71 5.3.3 Writing topic sentences
3.6.2 Subject
72 5.4 Writing the body
3.6.3 Adverbials
72 5.4.1 Writing an introduction,.
3.6.4 Complements
73 5.4.2 Writing a conclusion
.3.6.5 Objects
75 5.4.3 Paragraph development
3.7 Summary
5.4.4 Connections between paragraphs
. . _ 76 5.5 Final draft
CHAN ER A• Format
5.5.1 Edit for succinctness
77 5.5.2 Edit for clarity
4.1 Introduction
77 5.5.3 Edit for coherence
4.2 Letter
78 5.5.4 Proofread
4.2.1 Address, date and salutation
79 5.6 Summary
4.2.2 Heading
to popular belief, when accountants and auditors enter their profession they don't simply work
fibers. Communication forms a large part of their work, as they deal with people all the time —
sensitive contexts where they need to demonstrate a high level of language proficiency.
•
I
prepare accounting and auditing students for written and spoken interaction during their working
ley Talks: Communication in Business Contexts is a communication textbook like no other. The book
>tudents through the vital soft skills required to function optimally in a business environment.
iclude proposal and report writing, as well as lessons on how to conduct meetings and prepare both
I written presentations.
atures include:
:rcises (with solutions) and case studies with a realistic business focus to
:pare the student for the working world.
el-life examples from accounting and auditing firms.
ocus on interpersonal skills such as listening and interviewing techniques,
iflict resolution, teamwork and leadership.
zlish grammar presented in an interesting and integrated way in the form of a grammar toolkit.
'alks is written in a fun and engaging way and focuses on practical applications that will equip
s to become well-rounded professionals. on(F-N
or Danie du Plessis is Head of Department of Communication Science at Unisa. Dr Finuala Dowling
e-winning author well known for her expertise in language teaching. The late Dr Sheila Steinberg
easoned and well-known author on introductory communication science textbooks.
M
tvw.heinemarin.co.za for student and lecturer support material.
v!
1,,
•
••
- ,41
•
• 40"7-
•• - •
•
einemann
n imprint of ISBN 978-0-79623 175-8
me du
9 78 PI 11
23175 8
. len-man
o ■
S2erll[ISirga
,fig
rn.omnrnrflic,- thon DJ8jIusss Cauflax
,Published by Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd ryr_~~K.1 fir
(DJ\ ;
Heinemann House, Grayston Office Park
128 Peter Road, Athol Ext 12
Sandton 2196 Preface
P.O. Box 781940, Sandton, 2146, Johannesburg, South Africa
About the authors
www.heinemann.co.za
LCHAPTER 1 Introduction to communication
O in text: The authors, 2009
© in published edition: Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd,.2009
1.1 Introduction 2
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, 1.2 Defining communication 6
republished, reused, photocopied, reprinted, digitised, adapted, 1.3 What can we learn from models of communication? 8
performed in public, broadcast, transmitted, disseminated or stored 1.3.1 The sender or communicator
in any manner or form by means, whether for commercial or non-commercial
8
purposes, without the prior written authorisation of the Publisher. 1.3.2 Message 8
1.3.3 Channel/medium 9
First published by Heinemann Publishers in 2009 1.3.4 The receiver or recipient 9
13 12 11 10 09
1.3.5 Feedback 10
54321
1.3.6 Noise 12
ISBN 978 0 79623175 8 1.4 Communication in organisations 17
1.4.1 Internal communication and external communication 17
Project management by Silvia Raninger
1.4.2 Hierarchies 18
Book design by Flame Design
Cover design by Flame Design 1.4.3 Flow of internal organisational communication 19
Illustrations by Rudi Elliot and Walter Pichler 1.4.4 Formal and informal networks 20
Indexing by Cecily van Gend 1.4.5 Virtual teams and networks
Typesetting by Baseline Publishing Services 23
1.4.6 Communication climate in the organisation 25
Printed and bound by MT Book Printers, Cape 1.4.7 Ethical challenges in the workplace 26
1.5 How to strengthen your communication skills 28
150=47
,mined
1.6 Summary 30
OFFS0
ISO 12647 compliant
Acknowledgements I CHAPTER 2 The reading process 31
Every effort has been made to contact the copyright holders of materials used.
In the event of unintentional omissions or errors, copyright holders are requested 2.1 Introduction
to contact the publisher to make the proper arrangements. 32
2.2 Reading at word level 33
2.2.1 Word recognition 34
2.2.2 Adjusting to words in context 36
2.2.3 Distinguishing between homophones 38
2.2.4 Connotation and implication 39
2.3 Reading at sentence level 41
2.3.1 Sentence types 41
2.3.2 Linking words 42
2.3.3 How punctuation affects meaning 44
2.4 Increasing reading speed and reading efficiency 45
2.4.1 How fast should you be reading? 45
2.4.2 Tips for faster reading 45
, 46 4.2.3 Content
2.4.3 Predicting what a text will be about
47 4.2.4 The complimentary close
2.4.4 Grasping the main ideas of a text 48 4.3 Memoranda
2.4.5 Reading interactively
49 4.4 Instructions and procedures
2.5 Summary 4.5 Reports
50 4.5.1 Report sections
CHAETER 3 English grammar toolkit
4.5.2 Types of report
51 4.5.3 Terms of reference
3.1 Introduction
51 4.5.4 Overview, summary, abstract
3.2 The base word and its inflections
53 4.5.5 Methodology, procedure
3.2.1 Plural
55 4.5.6 Findings
3.2.2 Possessive 33rr 4.5.7 Conclusions
3.2.3 Third person singular
56 4.5.8 Recommendations
3.2.4 Past participle
57 4.5.9 References and appendices
3.2.5 Contracted negative
57 4.6 Summary
3.2.6 Objective pronoun
59
3.2.7 -ing and -ed form
60 CHAPTER 5 The writing process
3.2.8 -er and -est comparison
61
3.3 Compound words
62 5.1 Introduction
3.4 Word classes
63 5.2 Task analysis
3.4.1 Row dictionaries help
63 5.2.1 Advise
3.4.2 Noun and verb pairs
64 5.2.2 Explain, clarify
3.4.3 Adverbs that cause trouble
65 5.2.3 Identify
3.4.4 Adjectives that cause trouble
67 5.2.4 Examine, analyse, critically review, interpret
3.5 Sentences
67 5.2.5 Describe or define
3.5.1 Simple sentences
67 5.2.6 List, name
3.5.2 Compound sentences
67 5.2.7 Summarise
3.5.3 Complex sentences
69 5.3 The planning stage
3.5.4 Passive voice and active voice
70 5.3.1 Collecting ideas
3.6 Sentence elements
71 5.3.2 Drawing up a paragraph plan
3.6.1 Verb
71 5.3.3 Writing topic sentences
3.6.2 Subject
72 5.4 Writing the body
3.6.3 Adverbials
72 5.4.1 Writing an introduction,.
3.6.4 Complements
73 5.4.2 Writing a conclusion
.3.6.5 Objects
75 5.4.3 Paragraph development
3.7 Summary
5.4.4 Connections between paragraphs
. . _ 76 5.5 Final draft
CHAN ER A• Format
5.5.1 Edit for succinctness
77 5.5.2 Edit for clarity
4.1 Introduction
77 5.5.3 Edit for coherence
4.2 Letter
78 5.5.4 Proofread
4.2.1 Address, date and salutation
79 5.6 Summary
4.2.2 Heading
