Writing for business : expert solutions to everyday challenges
Effective business writing rests on a foundation of basic principles. Master them, and you'll know how to handle the many different writing tasks that come your way. The Pocket Mentor series offers immediate solutions to common challenges managers face on the job every day. Each book in the series is packed with handy tools, self-tests and real life examples to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and hone critical skills. Whether you are at your desk, in a meeting, or on the road, these portable guides enable you to tackle the daily demands of your work with greater speed, savvy, and effectiveness. This guide will show you how to organize and edit your message for maximum impact
eBook, English, 2007
[Academic Subscription] View all formats and editions
Harvard Business Press, Boston, Mass., 2007
1 online resource (x, 83 pages) : illustrations
9781422163771, 1422163776
1035849327
Mentor's message : reader-focused writing gets results
Writing for business : the basics
Foundation principles
Clarify your propose
Take a reader-centered approach
State your key message clearly
Keep the message short and simple
Confirm your delivery strategy
Scope your project
Broad versus limited scope
Start-up strategies
Questioning
The traditional outline
The brainstorm outline
Freewriting
Organize material according to purpose
Order-of-importance method
Chronological method
Process and procedure methods
Spatial arrangement method
Compare and contrast method
Specific-to-general or general-to-specific method
Analytical method
Writing the first draft
Begin where you feel most comfortable
Write in categories
Special considerations for a technical document
Structuring paragraphs
Limit the number of subjects in each paragraph
Create smooth transitions
Editing for content
Put your message in focus
Review for clarity
Sequence your key message strategically
Answer your readers' question : "why?"
Editing for style
Design for visual impact
Match your tone to your audience
Check for conciseness
Adopt the active voice
Edit for accuracy
Drafting e-mail
Common problems
Start with the subject line
Only one topic per e-mail
Make the purpose of the message clear
Be concise and use attachments
Remember your audience
Keep formatting simple
Review your company's e-mail policy
Know when not to send an e-mail
Tips and tools
Tools for business writing
Test yourself
Answers to test questions
To learn more
Sources for business writing
Notes