What documents for business releases do you know?
What document do you think this person is holding and why?
Presentation Link about the Memo:
Assignment:
Write a memo in teams about the assigned case:
1,- broadcast internal changes
2.- disseminate news
3.- share an upcoming event
4.- update public safety guidelines
5.- raise awareness about an issue
6.- address a problem
7.- make a request
8.- share project updates
Brainstorming about business letters and documents
Presentation about how to write a circular note
Brainstorming about issues for a which a circular note must be written or sent
Link for circular note issues and samples
https://www.businesscommunicationarticles.com/circular-letter-sample/
Elements in a circular note:
1.- company name
2.- company address
3.- salutation
4.- introduction with the context or reason
5.- body
5.1.- general issue
5.2.- issue details
5.3.- advantages
6..- final remark including the offer validity or expiration date and further contact encouragement
7.- closing formula
8.- signature and contact details
Assignment.- Write a circular letter in teams for one the assigned cases:
1.- the arrival of a hotel corporation branch in your city
2.- the announcement of a commercial new product launch
3.- the announcement of a price reduction in pesos because of the dollar crash
4.- the announcement of a grand sale as if you were part of the promotion team at a big department store
6.- the announcement of a new partner in the department of public relations
7.- the announcement of a colleague retirement because of a better job offer
8.- the announcement of having exclusively virtual meetings due to a pandemic outbreak
Collaborative online exercise about direct speech vs reported speech on
https://www.englishgrammar.org/direct-and-indirect-speech-exercise-2/
What are Shakespeare’s
Most Famous Quotes? by Brad
Witter
Although they were written more than 400 years
ago, the words of William Shakespeare remain timeless. Thanks in large part to
the Bard of Avon's ability to poetically capture universal human emotions with
overarching themes that continue to remain relevant, many continue to find his
writing highly relatable.
In fact, whether one
knows it or not, many lines of his work live far outside high school English
classrooms. Shakespeare has been credited with either coining or at least
popularizing myriad phrases that have become so ingrained into the everyday
lexicon that many aren't even aware of their origins. Just a few examples: ‘Love
is blind’ (The Merchant of Venice), ‘Break the ice’ (The Taming of
the Shrew), ‘Be-all, end-all’ (Macbeth), and ‘wild-goose chase’ (Romeo
and Juliet).
Aside from the pages of
his tragedies and comedies, some of Shakespeare's longer phrases and quotes
continue to live on, frequently referenced throughout pop culture, emblazoned
on posters, and even in tattoos. (Actress Megan Fox, for example, has a line
from King Lear — ‘We will all laugh at gilded butterflies’ —
inked on her shoulder.)
Here, there are ten of the
poet's most famous quotes:
Prince Hamlet's
soliloquy in the Danish-set tragedy — particularly the first line — has been
widely referenced in modern pop culture. Of course, ‘the question’ can be
broadly applied to many different situations, but at its inception, the speech
was part of a deeply philosophical internal debate about the pros and cons of
human existence.
Also taken from the
seminal tragedy, the line, which was spoken by Polonius as a pep talk of sorts,
has resonated throughout the generations for its universal theme of sticking to
one's values when faced with a dilemma.
Using death as a
metaphor, the Roman ruler minimizes his wife Calpurnia's fears that he may soon
die, in the play. Many identify with the call to bravery in the present moment
versus 'dying inside,' so to speak while wasting one's life in fear
of an inevitable end.
Cassius uses this speech
to convince Brutus to join the assassination conspiracy against his friend
Caesar. What he intended to convey is that people can control their destinies
and that they're not necessarily pre-determined by some divine power. ‘Et tu,
Brute?’ a Latin phrase meaning ‘even you, Brutus?’ has also come to signify an
unexpected betrayal by a loved one.
In Shakespeare's tragedy
about the titular ‘star-crossed lovers,’ Juliet's line references her and
Romeo's warring families and that their last names — Montague and Capulet —
shouldn't define who they are or negate their romance. Instead, she's saying
that a name given to an object is nothing more than a collection of letters,
and changing what something is called doesn't change what it inherently is.
Taken from Romeo
and Juliet's iconic balcony scene, Juliet speaks these words as she is
saying goodbye to Romeo. The highly relatable — though seemingly paradoxical —
sentiment notes the sadness of saying goodbye to a loved one, while also
pointing to the ‘sweet’ excitement of thinking about the next time they will
see each other.
Spoken by Jaques in the
17th-century comedy, the frequently quoted passage contends that life
essentially follows a script and that people play roles, as in a theater
production, during its various stages.
Much like the phrase ‘grin
and bear it,’ the Duke of Venice's words act as a piece of advice to follow
when one is wronged. His claim is that when one doesn't show that he or she is
upset, it removes a sense of satisfaction for the wrongdoer.
Sometimes rewritten with
the phrase ‘heavy is’ in place of "uneasy lies,’ the dialogue of King
Henry IV conveys the great difficulties of leaders who are tasked with
great responsibilities and difficult decisions.
In essence, the quote written on a scroll in the 16th-century play means that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Shakespeare originally used the word ‘glisters,’ an antiquated synonym of ‘glitters.’
'How do we use quotation marks?' the student asked their teacher.
Types of quotation marks:
There are two types of quotation
marks:
1.- Single quotation marks
2.- Double quotation marks
Uses of the single quotation
marks in British English:
1.- To quote a
source directly
Stephen Hawking warned that the
Higgs boson could potentially lead to ‘catastrophic vacuum decay’ in the
universe, caused by a ‘bubble of the true vacuum expanding at the speed of light.’
To indicate a direct quote, a
passage that is copied verbatim from another source. If you’re using the same
word, sentence, or phrase as another author, put those words in between
quotation marks.
This is most common in nonfiction
writing when a writer uses a phrase or sentence from a preexisting source,
usually to support their thesis.
2.- For dialogues or transcribing
speech
He said, 'It's time I went home.'
'Look at that church,' the guide said, 'which is the most ancient one in town.'
'I'm beat,' my little sister said, 'I feel drowsy.'
She asked, 'Will this be on the test?'
‘Where is the emergency room?’ he
asked the nurse urgently.
'Don't leave me!' she screamed.
Quotation marks are commonly used
to transcribe what a person said, as with an interview or eyewitness account.
On the other hand, In fiction, they’re used for dialogues or whenever a
character says something out loud.
3.- To sign the
titles of short works
Written by Sylvia Plath, ‘Tulips’
is a sad poem with a happy title.
Typically, the titles of
short-form works like poems, short stories, and songs use quotation marks. Conversely,
titles of long-form works, like books, films, and stage plays, use italics
instead.
4.- To set apart
a word to show irony, sarcasm, or skepticism (scare quotes)
My ‘pet’ is really just a stray
cat that comes by once a day.
Scare quotes are used to show
that the writer doubts the validity of a word. They are commonly used to show
irony, sarcasm, or how something is 'popularly termed.' They can have the same
meaning as the phrase so-called, including suspicious insinuation.
5.- To discuss
words as words
The ‘p’ in ‘pterodactyl’ is
actually silent.
When discussing a word,
phrase or letter in writing without using its intended meaning, set it apart
with quotation marks. However, depending on the styling format, some writers
alternatively use italics, without quotation marks, for this purpose.
6.- To differentiate
a nickname from a given name
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson can’t
escape his origins as a wrestler.
When writing a person’s nickname
together with their given name, set the nickname apart with quotation marks.
The standard is to place the quoted nickname between the first name and the
surname, although that’s not necessarily a rule.
If the nickname is how a famous
person is most commonly recognised, as with many historical figures, then no
quotes are necessary.
Many historians believe that
Richard the Lionheart was gay, but that evidence has been removed from
historical records.
When to use double quotation
marks in British English
‘My last boss used to always say,
“You sell more before lunch than the others sell in a week,”’ Amira mentioned
in her job interview.
In British English, double
quotation marks are used only for quotes that appear inside other quotes; for
example, a passage that already has a quote in it. Nevertheless, in American
English, the rules are reversed, so double quotes are used primarily for
quotes, dialogue, titles, etc., and single quotes are used only within other
quotes.
ELLiS, Matt
(2023) Quotation Marks: Rules and Examples. Obtained from https://www.grammarly.com/blog/quotation-marks/
(Searched on the 20th of February 2023)
Position of the quotation marks
https://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/writing-comma-semicolon1.html
What symbol is it?
Introductory Game: Chain Memory
🧠 Chain Memory: Public
Relations Colon Edition
(Focus: Correct use of the colon in PR contexts)
🎯 Objective
Students practice using the colon (:) correctly in
professional public relations language while building a memory chain.
A player is eliminated if they:
📚 Grammar Rule (Before
Playing)
A colon must:
Correct example:
The press release includes the following updates: a
leadership change, a new product line, and a revised strategy.
Incorrect example:
The press release includes: a leadership change, a new
product line, and a revised strategy. ❌
(Not a complete sentence before the colon.)
🎮 How to Play
Step 1: Choose an Introductory Sentence
Select a PR-focused sentence that is a complete clause
before the colon.
Example starter:
The crisis communication plan includes the following
actions:
Step 2: First Player Begins
Player 1 repeats the full introductory sentence and adds one
appropriate PR-related item.
The crisis communication plan includes the following
actions: issuing a public statement.
Step 3: Next Player Repeats and Adds
Player 2 repeats the entire sentence and adds another item.
The crisis communication plan includes the following
actions: issuing a public statement, notifying stakeholders.
Step 4: Continue the Chain
Each new player:
⚖ Elimination Rules
A player is out if they:
What colon uses
do you know?
What is a colon?
A colon is a punctuation mark
that’s used to connect sentences, put emphasis on a word or phrase, or
introduce a quote or explanation.
There are two
types of colon uses: the grammatical and the non-grammatical ones.
There are seven grammatical
uses of colon:
1.- Lists
Taylor Swift has
written a few songs about John Mayer: 'Dear John,' 'Paper Doll,' and 'Would’ve,
Could’ve, Should’ve.'
Colons are used
to introduce lists.
2.- Nouns or
noun phrases
The movie had
everything I wanted: action and suspense.
Colons can be
used before a noun or a noun phrase.
3.- Quotes
He ended with
the immortal words of Neil Young: 'Rock and Roll can never die.'
Colons can
introduce a quotation.
4.- Examples
There is one big
reason we don’t talk about Bruno: His premonitions frightened the family.
A writer may use
colons to illustrate their point by providing certain examples.
5.- Titles and
subtitles
Colon-oscopy:
The Best Punctuation Puns
A colon can be
used to separate a movie, book, or another piece of work’s title from its
subtitle.
6.- Between independent
clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first
I have very
little time to learn the language: my new job starts in five weeks.
7.- To add emphasis
After three weeks of
deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.
The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or
single word at the end of a sentence.
There are five non-grammatical
uses of colon:
1.- Time
11:11 a.m.
The colon is used
to separate hours from minutes, with no space before or after the colon.
2.- Ratio
2:1
The colon is used
to express a ratio of two numbers, with no space before or after the colon.
3.- Biblical
references
Genesis 3:1
The colon is used
in biblical references to separate chapter from verse, with no space before or
after the colon.
4.- Other references
Punctuation Quarterly
4:86-89
The colon is used
to separate the volume from page numbers of a cited work, with no space before
or after the colon.
5.- Correspondence
Dear Ms. Smith:
Cc: Tom Smith
Attention:
Accounts payable
PS: Don’t forget
your swimsuit.
The colon is
frequently used in business and personal correspondence.
Sources:
Anthony O’Reilly
(2022) When to Use a Colon, With Examplaes on https://www.grammarly.com/blog/colon-2/
(Searched on the 18th of February 2023.
The punctuation
guide (2023) Colon on https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/colon.html
(Searched on the 18th of February 2023.
Collaborative online exercise about the uses of colon, semicolon and comma
https://www.learnenglish-online.com/writing/punctuation/tests/colonsemicolons.html
Individual online
exercise about the use of colon and semicolon
https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/semicolons_and_colons_1.asp
Collaborative Warm-up Exercise about the Use of Commas
Introductory Teamwork Activity: Present some organizational values according to the following format focusing on the puntuaction marks of colon, semicolon, and colon.
British Airways: A British Airline Company
British Airways is built on three core values: customer first, which means prioritising passengers’ comfort and service; safety and reliability, which is maintaining strict standards and dependable operations; and sustainability, which is defined as reducing environmental impact and operating responsibly for the future.
📊 Assessment Rubric (10
Marks Total)
|
Criteria |
Excellent (2) |
Satisfactory (1) |
Needs Improvement (0) |
|
Content & Understanding |
Clear and accurate explanation of all three values. |
Basic explanation with minor errors or limited detail. |
Inaccurate, unclear, or missing explanations. |
|
Clarity of Definitions |
All three values clearly defined and well explained. |
Definitions are partially clear or incomplete. |
Definitions unclear or missing. |
|
Organisation & Structure |
Ideas are logically organised and easy to follow. |
Some organisation but lacks smooth flow. |
Disorganised and difficult to follow. |
|
Delivery Skills |
Confident voice, clear pronunciation, good engagement. |
Some hesitation or unclear speech. |
Very unclear or lacks confidence. |
|
Language & Grammar |
Correct grammar and punctuation (colon, semicolon, comma)
used effectively. |
Minor grammar or punctuation errors. |
Frequent errors affecting understanding. |
📝 Grading Guide
What punctuation mark is it?
The semicolon
Brainstorming about what coordinating conjunctions,
conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases we know.
What coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive
adverbs and transitional phrases do you know?
|
Coordinating conjunctions |
Conjunctive adverbs |
Transitional phrases |
|
|
|
|
What
is a semicolon?
Semicolon
(;) is a punctuation mark which consists of a period stacked on top of a comma.
The uses of semicolon
1.- To connect related independent clauses
An independent clause is a sentence that communicates a
complete thought and makes sense on its own, e.g., 'I
ordered another coffee; caffeine always puts me in a better mood.'
2.- To delete a conjunction between two independent clauses
Additionally to a semicolon to link two independent clauses,
coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but and or) can do so. However, it mustn’t
be used a semicolon and a conjunction which means that a semicolon is
used instead of and, but and or. Hence, it is correct to say 'I saw a
magnificent albatross, and it was eating a mouse.' or 'I saw a magnificent
albatross; it was eating a mouse.'
3.- With a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase.
Conjunctive adverbs include words like 'moreover,' 'nevertheless,' 'however,' 'therefore,' and 'finally.' Transitional phrases or expressions include 'such
as,' 'in fact,' and 'as a result.' Semicolons can
precede conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions so long as they're joining
two independent clauses, e.g., 'The
employees were encouraged to eat their lunch in the break room; however, John
ate at his desk to catch up on some work.' or 'Tyler finished all the
math problems in thirty minutes; as a result, he got to leave class early.'
4.- To separate items in a list
This comes in handy when the list items are lengthy or contain internal punctuation. Sometimes this use of a semicolon is referred to as a 'super-comma' for its powerful ability to separate sentences. When using semicolons like this, be mindful of capitalization. Unless the first word of the following clause is a proper noun, you can keep the words following semicolons lowercase, e.g., 'We traveled to New York, New York; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; Venice, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.' or 'The menu featured cocktails with tequila, vodka, or whiskey; entrees centered around meat, seafood, or vegetables; and two desserts, which we could order with or without ice cream.'
Sources:
Crowd Content Media (2023) Types of Conjunctions on https://www.crowdcontent.com/resources/writer/university/grammar/types-of-conjunctions/#:~:text=1.-,Coordinating%20Conjunctions,nouns%2C%20and%20clauses%20with%20clauses.
(Searched on February the 12th, 2023)
Grammarly (2023) 5 Ways to Use a Semicolon on https://www.grammarly.com/blog/semicolon/?gclid=CjwKCAiAuaKfBhBtEiwAht6H71SfQsHW5FLEH_PQXr4UYgw0UXHtLio4ECkXJ8A7qP5W_TC5LxrTQxoC_jAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
(Searched on February the 12th, 2023)
Masterclass (2021) Semicolons Explained: 3 Ways to Use a Semicolon on https://www.masterclass.com/articles/when-to-use-a-semicolon
(Searched on February the 12th, 2023)
Collaborative online exercise about the use of semicolon
https://translatorstudio.co.uk/semicolon-quiz/
Individual online exercise about the use of semicolon
https://www.grammar-monster.com/tests/test_semicolons_general_use.htm
Last Update by Dark Prince in 2024
A Corporate Letter for a House Organ Professional Language Learning Malecón Américas Business Center Cancún, Quintana Roo, México May 5th,...
