Effective Business Writing

From persuasive memos to complaint letters, sales letters to executive summaries -- this exceedingly useful guide helps the business worker write clearly and in an appropriate format, style and tone. Numerous examples show how to overcome writer's block, organize messages for maximum impact, achieve an easy-to-read style, find an efficient writing system and much more.

Acknowledgments

xiii

Preface to the Second Edition

xv

Bad Writing Is Bad for Business

1

(4)

Getting Started

5

(11)

Gaining Control

5

(1)

Seeing the Message Through Your REader's Eyes

6

(1)

Writing for a Diverse Audience

7

(1)

Organizing Your Thoughts

8

(3)

Managing the Process of Writing

11

(2)

Overcoming Writer's Block

13

(3)

Making Your Message Accessible

16

(14)

The Subject Line

16

(1)

Beginnings

17

(1)

Endings

18

(1)

Headings

19

(1)

Graphic Devices

20

(4)

Bullets

24

(1)

An Easy-to-Read Style

25

(1)

Strengthening a Weak Memo

26

(4)

Shaping Paragraphs and Sentences

30

(10)

Paragraph Focus and Topic Sentences

30

(2)

Paragraph Development

32

(1)

Paragraph Length

33

(1)

Sentence Length and Rhythm

34

(1)

Sentences Joined by And

35

(1)

Hard-to-Read Sentences

36

(1)

Connecting Sentences and Paragraphs

37

(3)

Editing for Language, Style, and Tone

40

(20)

Editing Is a Must

40

(2)

Avoiding Language That Is Outdated or Raddish

42

(1)

Using Words That Are Familiar and Concrete

43

(2)

Consistency in Your Choice of Words

45

(1)

A Style for the Times

46

(1)

Achieving an Effective Style

47

(5)

Tightening Your Style

52

(3)

Active and Passive Verbs

55

(1)

Using I

56

(1)

Tone

57

(1)

Softening a Negative Message

58

(2)

The Politics of Business Writing

60

(7)

Office Politics and Interoffice Correspondence

60

(1)

Ghostwriting

61

(1)

Editing Someone Else's Writing

62

(2)

Language and Sexual Bias

64

(3)

Writing for Special Purposes

67

(40)

The Executive Summary

67

(4)

Clear Instructions

71

(5)

Goodwill Letters

76

(1)

Letters of Congratulations

76

(2)

Thank-You Notes

78

(2)

Letters of Apology

80

(2)

Letters of Recommendation

82

(2)

Delivering Unwelcome News

84

(2)

Letters of Complaint

86

(2)

Responses to Letters of Complaint

88

(3)

Letters of Request

91

(2)

Persuasion: Some Practical Pointers

93

(2)

Shaping a Persuasive Message

95

(4)

The Sales Letter

99

(3)

International Correspondence

102

(2)

Messages for Electronic Mail (E-mail)

104

(3)

A Glossary of Grammar and Usage

107

(14)

Punctuation Review

121

(10)

Afterword

131

(2)

Index

133

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Effective Business Writing

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials