This is a business writing discussion about a written update. It is not a letter to a friend. The argument is when to write the word percent, and when a comparison with last year is not the same thing as beating the plan. Up is not a number. Good is not a comparison. Your first sentence must say what a useful update contains. Then show, with one pair of figures, how last year and the plan can disagree. Do not celebrate a direction and stop. A reader in finance should be able to see which comparison you mean.
In a written update, say when to use percent, and show that a comparison with last year is not the same as beating the plan.
Professor
In a written update, some people write that sales were good and up from last year. Others say you should write the percent, and you should not treat a comparison with last year as the same thing as beating the plan. When does an update need the word percent, and when is last year not the plan?
Ade
Write good. Busy readers do not want percents. If sales are up from last year, the plan was beaten. One comparison is enough.
Noor
Write the percent and name the comparison. Up 9 percent from last year can still be under the plan. Good does not tell finance which number moved.
14:00
0 words. Aim for 100 or more.
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Before you check the quiz
The first sentence says what a useful update must contain.
You show that last year and the plan can disagree, with figures.
Your reason is not only Ade's busy reader and not a copy of Noor's 9 percent.