Business English/Reading and Writing

Both reading and writing are important skills for anyone who wants to do business in English. Here is a list of suggested writing topics.

Topics for Mini-Research Papers

• MBTI / Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator
• The Campbell-Stone Restoration Movement World Convention National Profile Pages
• Peter Drucker
• The de Vinci Code
• Stephen Covey and the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
• Moore’s Law
• Different styles of leadership and leaders
• Rasputin
• Wal-Mart
• Nonverbal communication
• The origins of English
• Today’s weather in (you choose the location)
• Choose your own topic!

Use the Internet or traditional printed materials to find information about your chosen topic. Write like a reporter or historiographer and remember the six w’s: who, what, when, where, why, and how. The length of the paper should reflect the complexity of the issue, your English fluency, and your time available. One to two typewritten pages is typically an appropriate length.

Include a bibliography citing the Internet pages that you used as reference.

Use ONLY your own words, except for short, cited quotations. It is usually better to read about the subject, but the material aside, and write from your own memory. That is, don’t read your source material and write your essay at the same time.

English Language and Grammar Topics

• Correct use of adjectives
• Present simple vs. present progressive (continuous) tense
• Using articles (a, an, the, …)
• When to use “what” and when to use “that”

The directions are the same as above. Include examples whenever possible.

I saw an article in a newspaper of yesterday requesting for readers to put comments on the passage.

The whole group was against my sister for not turning up to a meeting which was very important to her.

We had an accident on our way to Zomba.

What happened to your sister who is now in prison?

When is the next meeting taking place?

That place is not good for your health.

Suggested writing topics

• Describe your line of work and your responsibilities.
• Write a history of your family.
• Tell about a favorite memory, perhaps a childhood memory.
• Describe the office or facilities where you work.
• Describe a system or process that you are familiar with in your work.
• Write a plan and analysis describing your goals in studying English.
• Write up a business plan for a business that you might think about starting.
• Write about something that you are passionate about.
• Describe a visit to an English-speaking area.
• Choose a topic and write about it for this Business English book.
• Write about your favorite music, group, or artist.
• What important things have you accomplished in your life?
• What would you like to do when you retire?
• What do you regret doing or not doing?
• Read an article from the Wikipedia or other source and write a summary of it.

Reading

You can get practice reading at many places. Some websites that you might like to visit are the Wikipedia, New York Times (free and painless registration required, really, it's worth it), The Economist, (a British newsmagazine), and various English magazines that may be available where you live.