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Chapter 6: Workplace Writing

Lesson 1 Share
Short Messages

🎧 Enhance Your Listening Power!
🤝 Two colleagues quickly check in on a task.

Transcript

Ali: Hi Sara, are you available for a quick update?
Sara: Yes, I’m free for the next 10 minutes.
Ali: Great. I’ve completed the report and shared it in the folder.
Sara: Got it. I’ll review it and get back to you today.
Ali: Thanks. Please let me know if you need any changes.
Sara: Sure, will do.

🎧

Active Listening Practice

Complete the phrases as you listen

6 phrases
🔥 streak
💬

Hi Sara, are you available for a ______ update?

Perfect! "Hi Sara, are you available for a quick update?"

"Hi Sara, are you available for a quick update?"

Mastered
💬

Yes, I'm free ______ the next 10 minutes.

Perfect! "Yes, I'm free for the next 10 minutes."

"Yes, I'm free for the next 10 minutes."

Mastered
💬

"I've completed the report and shared it ______ the folder."

Perfect! "I've completed the report and shared it in the folder."

"I've completed the report and shared it in the folder."

Mastered
💬

Got it. I'll review it and get ______ to you today.

Perfect! "Got it. I'll review it and get back to you today."

"Got it. I'll review it and get back to you today."

Mastered
💬

Please let me know if you need any ______.

Perfect! "Please let me know if you need any changes."

"Please let me know if you need any changes."

Mastered
💬

Sure, ______ do.

Perfect! "Sure, will do."

"Sure, will do."

Mastered

of 6 phrases mastered

🏆 MASTER COMPLETE!

📖 Reading Practice

In modern workplaces, short messages are used constantly for quick and efficient communication. These messages appear in various forms: instant messaging apps like Slack or Teams, text messages, or brief emails. Regardless of the platform, the goal remains the same: to convey information quickly while maintaining professionalism. Short messages have become the backbone of daily team communication. 

What is the main goal of short messages?

✓ Correct!
🤔 The correct answer is "To convey information quickly while staying professional"
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Unlike formal emails, short messages do not always require greetings, long introductions, or formal signatures. However, this does not mean they can be careless or unprofessional. A well-written short message strikes a balance between being concise and being courteous. It respects the reader's time while still sounding respectful and clear. Finding this balance is what separates good communicators from average ones. 

What balance should short messages strike?

✓ Correct!
🤔 The correct answer is "Being concise and being courteous"
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A good short message typically has a single clear purpose. It might ask a question, share a quick update, request a small action, or confirm an arrangement. When a message tries to cover too many topics at once, it can confuse the reader and delay the response. On the other hand, messages that are too brief, like a one-word reply or an unclear request, can come across as abrupt or rude. 

What happens when a message covers too many topics?

✓ Correct!
🤔 The correct answer is "It confuses the reader and delays response"
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 Professional short messages also show awareness of tone. Without the cues of face-to-face conversation, written words can easily be misunderstood. Adding small polite touches like "Please let me know" or "Thanks in advance" helps maintain a positive and cooperative tone. In summary, short messages are a powerful tool. When written well, they save time, prevent misunderstandings, and keep work moving smoothly. The key is to be clear, polite, and focused on what matters most. 

Why is tone especially important in short messages?

✓ Correct!
🤔 The correct answer is "Because written words can be easily misunderstood"
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📚 Key Vocabulary

6 terms
Efficient

Doing something quickly and well without wasting time

Click to reveal definition
Convey

To communicate or express a message or information

Click to reveal definition
Courteous

Polite and respectful

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Typically

Usually or generally

Click to reveal definition
Abrupt

Sudden and unfriendly in manner; too quick without politeness

Click to reveal definition
Cues

Signals or signs that guide behavior

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Test your knowledge with this quiz

0 / 8 answered

Why is clarity important in short messages?

7 more questions...

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✍️ WRITING PRACTICE
💡

Your Task

Write one short professional message (1–2 lines) for this situation: "You have finished a task and want to inform your manager."

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Task Updates

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