Business Writing Basics

Communication: 2 A giving or exchanging of information, signals, or messages as by talk, gestures, or writing 5 The art of expressing ideas, especially in speech and writing Webster’s New World Dictionary, 3 rd ed.

Communication: Communication influences thoughts, feelings, and actions. Information merely informs Use the 80/20 Rule

80% Communication

20%

Clear Clarify what it is you intend before writing

Clear

Clear Clearly state your intent in the lead

Clear

Clear One topic per communication

Clear

Clear Provide supporting detail

Clear

Edit! Less is more, in many cases

Edit!

Strong thesis If everything else is cut, will your message still be clear?

Strong thesis

Make points briefly Don’t get hung on an issue

Make points briefly

Correct Check the facts

Correct

Correct Do not rely on spell check

Correct

Correct Do not rush

Correct

Correct Dictionaries and thesauruses are the writer’s friends

Correct