Overview

Workplace decisions range from the very simple (Where should I go for lunch?) to the very complex (Which firm gets this million-dollar contract?). Sorting through a complex decision is made difficult by the many different factors and criteria that come into play. Figuring out what information is essential to a given audience, persuading a variety of audiences, and collaborating in workgroup teams all factor into making important decisions. Ethical considerations also run throughout the decision-making process because business goals and personal values often conflict. Would you persuade a young couple to buy a car beyond what they can reasonably afford if it meant earning yourself a sizable monthly bonus? Would you follow orders if a supervisor asked you to modify government environmental reports to downplay the seriousness of a chemical leak?

Writing is often a process of discovery, of sorting through confusing and conflicting issues and values. What was once foggy can become clearer as we put it onto words. To write effectively, we can begin by thinking creatively (exploring new ideas) and thinking critically (testing those ideas). We must also edit our work carefully to make sure it is correct. Usually, the more we write and revise, the clearer our writing and our thinking becomes.