Writing for an international audience

 In today's changing business environment, any professional is writing for an international or global audience at any given point of time. A business writer should be aware of the reader and the reader's specific needs. In some cases, a reader unfamiliar with English might need to get a document translated. All these factors need to be taken into account when writing for an international audience. Listed below are a few handy hints for writing well for a global audience:

· Write short sentences, not longer than 25 words.

· Choose words that are easy to pronounce and do not have multiple meanings.

· Do not use jargon, terminologies, sarcasm, or slang while writing for an international audience.

· Try to use active voice and present tense wherever you can.

· Avoid being ambiguous.

· Do not use Latin abbreviations.

· Provide a glossary of definitions for special words used within the document.

The key to writing for an international audience is to keep it simple, yet effective. When writing for an international audience, a writer needs to be aware of the cultural factors in order to avoid offending readers sentiments.

Here are a few tips for the writer:

· Know the target audience you are writing for, and research the dos and don'ts for that audience.

· If you can, find a native speaker to proofread the cultural aspects in your document.

· Be aware of the political and cultural factors that your audience might be sensitive to.

There are other types of letters that you may need to write, including those regarding terminations and recommendations. They are very similar to the examples you have already seen. For these types of letter you would choose the style of letter you would like to follow and then address the subject matter.

Recommendation letters 

sometimes requested from former co-workers that are seeking a letter to go to a new or potentially new employer. They also can be sent to schools or other such entities. They usually are employment references, character references, or academic references. For business writing purposes, they generally fall into the employment reference category. An employment recommendation letter should tell why the person the letter is about is a good person to hire. Describing their strengths and abilities is the primary purpose .

Sample recommendation letter

Sender's address

Your phone number
(1 line space)
Today's date

Recipient's name
Recipient's address
(1 line space)
Dear Mr. Bellows:
(1 line space)
I am writing to recommend an interview candidate for a photography position within your company. Lisa Phototaker has applied for a position within your company and I have had experience working with her.
(1 line space)
Lisa is a very creative person that has a keen sense of style and an eye for detailed photography. She is an asset to any team, bringing with her the sense of artistic design skills and talents that are so often sought after. I would recommend hiring her for this position without hesitation. She was responsible for photographing and all the layout and design work on our latest calendar, for which we couldn't be happier.
(1 line space)
If I can answer questions regarding this recommendation, please don't hesitate to contact me.
(1 line space)
Sincerely,

(drop down four lines)

Signature here

Linda Viewfinder

Owner

When it comes to writing business letters, they are mostly written in the same manner. The subject or angle may change, but the fact that you are writing in a professional manner, keeping it clean and precise, remains the same. Whether it's a recommendation, a sympathy letter, or a resignation letter, the formulas used above can be applied to nearly any circumstance.