The document provides tips for effective workplace writing. It discusses writing various types of letters for both positive and negative purposes. It also covers job descriptions, performance evaluations, and business reports. Additionally, it reviews frequently confused words that should be used properly. Lastly, it offers strategies for concise writing such as trimming words, using a simple reading level, and focusing on the essence or core message. The overall presentation aims to help managers improve their writing skills for professional communications.

1. Writing Tips for Managers
Facilitated by Chris Friend
The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida

2. Introductions
Name
Job Title
Years of Service
Role in the County
Types of Workplace Writing
Biggest Writing Challenge
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

3. Today’s Agenda
Image courtesy .reid. on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

4. What Does
Writing
Look Like?
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

5. Business Letters
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

6. Letters: Positive Response
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

7. Letters: Negative Response

8. Letters:
Complaints
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

9. Letters: Congratulations
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

10. Recommendation
Letters
Image courtesy wynner3 on Flickr, CC BY NC 2.0

11. Welcome Letters
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

12. Letters: Persuasive
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

13. Other Documents
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

14. Job Descriptions
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

15. Performance
Evaluations

16. Business Reports

17. Image courtesy Anirudh Koul on Flickr,
CC BY-NC 2.0
Frequently Confused Words

18. Frequently Confused Words
a suggestion (it’s a thing)
advice I need advice on buying ice.
to help guide (it’s an action)
advise You are wise. Can you advise?

19. Frequently Confused Words
to influence (it’s an action)
affect Will this affect our community?
a result (it’s a thing)
effect What effect will this have on us?

20. Frequently Confused Words
to distribute
allot Our team was allotted two hours.
more than a little
a lot Orlando has a lot of traffic.
alot not a word

21. Frequently Confused Words
smaller number (countable items)
fewer I got fewer emails today!
smaller amount (uncountable ideas)
less There is less water in that puddle.

22. Frequently Confused Words
degree
further I want to go further with my career.
distance
farther Tampa is farther away than Ocala.

23. Frequently Confused Words
contraction: “it is”
it’s I think it’s too hot outside.
possession: belonging to it
its Florida is known for its sun.

24. Frequently Confused Words
to misplace
lose Spelling makes me lose my mind.
not tight
loose This clamp is so loose it won’t hold.

25. Frequently Confused Words
an action
passed The car passed by.
a description
The car went past.
past
a time
The trouble is in our past.

26. Frequently Confused Words
comparison
than I like blue more than green.
time
then Let’s chat, then do lunch.

27. Frequently Confused Words
contraction: “they are”
they’re Maybe they’re the experts.
possession: belonging to them
their They work with their hands.
location: not here (& other uses)
there Please park over there.

28. Frequently Confused Words
number: between one and three
two I see two paragraphs here.
addition: “also” or excess
too I see too many paragraphs, too.
all other uses
to I want to go to Lake Eola.

29. Frequently Confused Words
describes action—how it’s done
well You did your job very well.
describes things—tells quality
good You did a very good job.

30. Frequently Confused Words
contraction: “you are”
you’re I think you’re working too much.
possession: belonging to you
your Is that your winning Lotto ticket?

31. Writing
Strategies
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

32. Trim Your Words
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

33. Reading
Level
Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

34. Reduction Example
How to Write Effectively:
The task of developing clear and concise
writing is not a difficult one. You simply
determine what is the best way that you can
present your subject. Then write it for the
potential audience the very simplest way.

35. Reduction Example
w
How to Write Effectively:
The task of developing clear and concise
writing is not a difficult one. You simply
To write effectively: write simply.
determine what is the best way that you can
present your subject. Then write it for the
potential audience the very simply way.
simplyst

36. The Essence
268 words
73% are one syllable
20 words ≥ 3 syllables
10 sentences
© 2008 Mort Künstler

37. Thank you.
Writing Tips for Managers
Facilitated by Chris Friend