The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

BECOMING A BETTER WRITER / 271

MAKE IT PERFECT

Eliminate factual errors,

typos, misspellings, bad

grammar, and incorrect

punctuation in your writing.

Remember that if one detail

in a memo you have written

is recognized to be incorrect,

your entire line of thinking

may be considered suspect.

Tip

FREE OF CLICHÉS

AND JARGON

Tired words and

expressions make

your writing appear

superficial.

MADE UP OF SHORT

SENTENCES

This won’t guarantee clarity,

but short sentences will

prevent many of the

confusions that can easily

occur in longer ones. Try

the ear test: read your

writing aloud and break

apart any sentence you

can’t finish in one breath.

CONNECTING WITH

THE READER

Reach out to your reader by

occasionally using questions.

A request gains emphasis

when it ends with a question

mark. Rather than writing,

“Please advise as to whether

the meeting is still scheduled

for February 21st,” simply

ask: “Is the meeting still

scheduled for February 21st?

When writing text,

imagine that your reader

is with you: this will

help make your writing

more accessible

US_270-271_A_Better_Writer.indd 271 30/05/16 3:04 pm