Because of the emphasis on special forms of writing, such as letters and reports, business communications classes do little to introduce students to practical, career-oriented writing situations. Management administration offers an excellent vehicle for the development of an advanced course in rhetoric combined with a survey of the administrative functions of management. Problems that help form the framework for introducing rhetorical principles include public relations, marketing, purchasing, and finance. Basic to the course would be certain key concepts about the role of individuals in organizations, the principles of upward-downward and lateral communication, interpersonal relationships and how to cultivate and promote them, and the nature of writing in organizations. Essential principles to present to an all-purpose course for potential business administrators include the following: (1) business writing and speaking are essentially referential--persuasive first, informative second; (2) writing for the business administrator is transactional in nature--a contract between writer and reader; (3) forms inhibit the creative, exploratory nature of the composing process; (4) students must move from the product-oriented paradigm of composing to a process-oriented paradigm; and (5) students need to adjust to the role of business administrator by role playing or by capitalizing upon their actual roles in present employment. (HOD)