1. The Qualities of Sound and Effective
Professional Writing
Michelle Lilly-Bowens
Unit 6
Kaplan University
GM599 Applied Research Project
December 16th
2014
Professor:
Craig McCoy

2. Table of Contents
 Linear writing
 Topic sentence
 Relevant and sound
information
 Plagiarism concerns
 Honesty in the message
 Arguments & Counter
Arguments
 The notion of less is
more
 Word choice
 Informing the
uninformed reader
 Find your own voice
 Conclusion

3. Introduction
 To give an overview of the qualities of sound and
effective professional writing
 To identify key elements of the writing process
explained by Evan Thomas
 How these key elements are used to strengthen
writing and research skills

4. Linear writing
 Avoid zig zagging when writing
 Avoid too many buts and howevers
 Use a linear fashion of writing to avoid confusing
the reader

5. Topic Sentence
 Ensure you have a good clear topic sentence to
begin each paragraph
 Don’t begin you topic sentence with a qualifying
clause

6. Relevant and Sound Information
 Ensure you have good information, good research,
and good reporting
 Do your research carefully
 Master your data to be in control of your writing

7. Plagiarism Concerns
 Do Not Plagiarize
 Always show Attribution

8. Honesty in the Message
 Be Honest in your writing
 Do not fudge or fake answers
 Always try to keep your credibility

9. Arguments & Counter Arguments
 Acknowledgement
 Deal with counter
points
 Strengthens the
argument you are
making

10. Less Is More
 Don’t Empty your notebook
 Don’t Overwhelm the Reader
 Irrelevant information

11. Word Choice

12. Inform the Uninformed Reader
 Deal with the point
you raise completely
 Don’t skip from one
point to the next
 Proofread what you
have written
 Ask yourself questions
about what you have
written
 Does the reader
understand what you
are saying?
 Have you answered all
their questions?

13. Writing In Your Own Voice
 Conversationally
 Natural voice
 Get to the point
 Simplify version

14. .
Conclusion
Avoid Plagiarism
Find your own voice
Be Honest
Inform the Uniformed
Reader
Arguments &
Counter Arguments
Word Choice
Linear, clear, and
straight
Choose Data
Masterfully
Topic Sentence

15. Reference
 Holton, E. F. & Swanson, R. A. (2005). Research in Organizations :
Foundations and Methods of Inquiry. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-
Koehler.
 Murray, J. D., & McGlone, C. (1997). Topic overviews and processing
of topic structure. Journal Of Educational Psychology, 89(2), 251-
261.
 Thomas, E. (2104) Newsweek video presentation. Retrieved From
http://extmedia.kaplan.edu/business/GM599/GM599_1207D/Thomas/thomas
_player_06.html

16. Rolyn G. Louis &
Michelle Lilly-Bowens
December 16th
2014
Any Questions?