Book Summary

Better Business Writing – Engage readers – Tighten & brighten – Make your Case – By Bryan A. Garner

SECTION 3 – AVOIDING THE QUIRKS THAT TURN READERS OFF

Chapter 16

• Don’t anesthetize your readers
• It is obvious that your shouldn’t put your audience to sleep. Best conversationalists make the topic fascinating through their technique. They use strong simple words.
• Don’t overuse “I”. Use we, our, you and your to add personal touch.
• Use contractions – overcome your fear of using them.
• Prefer active voice, unless passive context sound more natural.
• Vary the length and structure of your sentence. Avoid “Acronyms” when you can.

 

Chapter 17

Watch your Tone

• Adopt a relaxed tone, it is critical to success of your business documents. Write your message as if you were speaking to the recipient in person.
• Refer to people by name
• Always use your best judgment and a collegial tone.
• Adopt a tone appropriate to your relationship with the recipient
• Never use sarcasm in professional message.

 

SECTION 4 – COMMON FORMS OF BUSINESS WRITING

Chapter 18

E-mails

• Get straight to the point – be direct when making a request
• Copy people carefully
• Keep your message brief
• Write a short but informative subject line.
• Stick to standard capitalization and punctuation – rushed emails that violate basic norms of written language show carelessness.
• Use a signature that displays your title and contact information.

 

Chapter 19

Business Letters

• Use direct, personal language. Keep your language simple. Avoid canned phrases.
• Motivate your readers to act on your letter by giving them reason that matters to them.
• When conveying bad news, soften the blow by opening on a positive note.
• Always consider the reader – be polite, sympathetic and professional
• Remain courteous and diplomatic

 

Chapter 20

Memos and Reports

• Four Elements – Title, Summary, Body and Conclusion
• Choose a concise title or subject that tells readers what topics the memo covers and what they should do about it
• Begin your document by addressing the main points and outlining the issue, your solution and the reason.
• Work from this summary for the elaborate body of your first draft
• Modify the summary as you go to ensure it reflects what is in the body

 

Chapter 21

Performance Appraisals

• Address the seven aspects of work
• Attitude, Efficiency, Human relations, judgment, knowledge, reliability and communication skills.
• Prepare by gathering your facts in advance. Keep performance notes throughout the year and review them before writing.
• Always pair your general statements with specific examples that support them.