ENG-220 Business Communication at Southern New Hampshire University is a practical introduction to business correspondence, employment applications and resumes, and formal research reports. SNHU's catalog says written communication skills are emphasized.
Students often find the course different from academic essays. The reader is busy, the purpose is practical and the writing must be short, clear and correctly toned. Fitting the right level of formality to the audience is the main skill.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
| Course code | ENG-220 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | One of ENG-121, ENG-190 or ENG-200 (per catalog; check your program) |
| Subject area | Business and professional writing |
| Typical work | Letters, memos, emails, resume and cover letter, formal report (general; check your syllabus) |
What ENG-220 Covers
| Catalog area | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Business correspondence | Letters, memos and emails that state a purpose, give detail and request an action |
| Employment applications and resumes | Presenting experience and skills for a specific role, with a tailored cover letter |
| Formal research reports | Gathering information, organizing findings and presenting recommendations |
| Written communication skills | Clarity, concision, tone and correctness |
Key Concepts Explained
Lead with the Point
Business readers want the purpose first. Open a message with the request or decision, then give the support.
Example: Weak opening: "I am writing following our meeting last Tuesday where several things were discussed." Stronger: "Please approve the revised training budget of $4,200 by Friday so sessions can start on time." The second version states the action, the item and the deadline.
Audience and Tone
A message to a client, a manager and a colleague each need different wording. Ask who will read it, what they already know and what you want them to do.
Tailoring a Resume
A resume is not a list of duties. Match its content to the role, lead with relevant results, and use verbs that show what you did.
Example: Instead of "Responsible for customer service", write "Resolved customer queries by phone and email and updated the support log daily." Only claim experience that is genuinely yours.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Letters and memos | Purpose, structure, tone | Use the standard format, one main purpose and a clear closing action |
| Resume and cover letter | Targeting a role | Mirror the job posting's key requirements honestly and keep to one or two pages |
| Bad-news or persuasive message | Handling sensitive audiences | Be respectful, explain reasons briefly and offer a way forward |
| Formal report | Research and organization | Define the problem, present findings, then recommendations |
Choosing the Right Format
Part of business writing is knowing which document fits the situation. The table summarizes common choices; follow the conventions your course materials teach.
| Situation | Usual format | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Quick request inside a team | Email or memo | Subject line that states the topic and action |
| Formal message to an outside party | Business letter | Formal tone and standard layout |
| Applying for a job | Resume and cover letter | Tailored to the role and error-free |
| Recommending a decision | Formal report | Findings and recommendations in separate sections |
If you are unsure, ask what the reader will do after reading. That usually settles the format and the level of detail.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Too wordy. Cut filler phrases and keep one idea per paragraph.
- Wrong tone. Overly casual or stiff wording changes how a message lands.
- Generic applications. A cover letter that could go to any employer rarely meets a rubric.
- Report structure. Findings, conclusions and recommendations get mixed. Keep them in separate sections.
Study Tips for ENG-220
- Read every message as if you were the recipient with two minutes to spare.
- Use headings, short paragraphs and bullet lists in reports.
- Proofread names, dates and figures twice; small errors damage credibility.
- Keep a swipe file of well-written real business emails to see the style.
| Step | Check |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Can you state it in one sentence? |
| Audience | What do they know and need? |
| Structure | Is the main point first? |
| Polish | Is it concise, correct and properly formatted? |
How We Help with ENG-220
Send the assignment brief, any template, the rubric and your draft. A writing tutor can prepare a model letter, resume layout or report outline, explain the format, or edit your draft with comments. You supply your own real experience for personal documents; we never invent credentials or history.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with SNHU. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to learn the format, then write and submit your own work under SNHU's academic integrity policy.
Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late. For revision methods, see our revising and editing guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SNHU's catalog describes a practical introduction to business correspondence, employment applications and resumes, and formal research reports.
The catalog lists one of ENG-121, ENG-190 or ENG-200. Confirm with your advisor, as program requirements can differ.
It is different rather than harder. The focus is concise, practical writing for a specific reader instead of long academic essays.
The catalog lists formal research reports as part of the course, so expect report-style work. Your syllabus will give the exact tasks.
Follow the format and template your instructor provides, then check headings, spacing, tone and a clear closing action.
We provide model documents, editing and tutoring as study support. Your submitted work and personal details should be your own, under SNHU's academic integrity policy.