Business Communication Writing Error Codes

These codes are used by professors in the College of Business Administration to help you correct the errors that you are making.

Format Errors

1. assigned document format is incorrectly used

2. general cleanliness of paper and quality of printing is unacceptable

3. general business format (blocked, single spaced paragraphs, use of bullets and headers) is not used

Content Errors

1. strategic purpose of assignment is not met

2. accuracy of content/knowledge is not acceptable

3. content included is not responsive to context (or lacks content that is required by context)

4. content is not internally consistent or is illogically structured

Style Errors

1. is not concise, clear, direct writing (includes redundancies, excess words)

2. does not display active orientation

3. does not display evidence or reasoning to support conclusions

4. does not exhibit interest in audience needs/desires

5. is not sensitive to political issues or organizational hierarchy

6. excessively casual, unprofessional use of language

Language Errors

1. spelling error

2. wrong word

3. punctuation error

4. grammar error

5. sentence structure

6. unclear meaning

7. inconsistent use of style, sentence structure, tone, format

8. poorly organized section

9. inappropriate document structure or format

10. missing, incomplete or incorrect citation form