Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to use the accepted standards of English grammar and punctuation in business writing and speaking. To reach this goal, you should be able to:

1. Punctuate messages correctly.
2. Write complete, grammatically correct sentences, avoiding such problems as awkward construction, dangling modifiers, and misuse of words.
3. Determine when to spell out numbers and when to express them in numeral form according to standards of correctness.
4. Spell words correctly by applying spelling rules and using a dictionary or spelling checker.
5. Use capital letters for all proper names, first words of sentences, and first words of complimentary closes.