This document provides tips for effective communication and writing skills. It recommends adapting your writing style based on your intended audience by considering their knowledge level and education. It also suggests using familiar words, short words, concrete words, strong verbs, and the active voice to add vitality to writing. The document advises avoiding sexist language and using varied sentence lengths and concise paragraphs to improve readability.

1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS WRITING

2. ADAPTING Begin by visualising your receiver: Who they are How much they know about the subject What their educational levels are How much they think

3. For adapting Messages to Groups: Aim at the lowest level of the group

4. Difficulty Level of Writing Writing that is slightly below the reader’s level makes the most comfortable reading

5. Use Familiar Words Eg. “End” rather than “terminate”

6. Short/Long Words Readability studies how that a heavy proportion of long words confuses the reader.

7. Adding Vitality to Writing: Use strong words Use concrete words Use active voice

8. Strong words Eg “tycoon” rather than “successful businessperson” Verbs are the strongest words Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly

9. Concrete Words Words that form sharp, clear meaning in reader’s mind: Things which reader can see. “ Odour of decaying fish” rather than “nauseating odour”

10. Active Over Passive Voice In active voice, the subject does the action; in passive voice it receives the action. Verbs are strongest in active voice But passive voice should not be eliminated altogether

11. When to Use Passive Voice When the doer of the action is not important When performer is not known When writer prefers not to name the performer (Some complaints have been made about you)

12. Sexist Words Avoid masculine pronouns: he/him/his by: Each student should do the assignment by himself. Rewording the sentence : “ Each student should do the assignment individually ”. Make the reference plural : “ Students should do the assignment by themselves ” Substitute neutral expression with caution : “ He or she”, he/she, s/he, you, one, person. “ One should do the assignment by oneself ”.

13. Words Derived from Masculine Words Manpower: personnel/workers Congressman: Member of Congress Businessman: Businessperson, Business Executive Mail Man: Mail Carrier

14. Policeman: Police Officer Fireman: Fire fighters Cameraman: Camera Operators

15. Length of Sentences Long sentences are hard to read Short sentences: 16/18 words Limit content Use economy in words: find shorter way of saying things: See page 114 of Lesikar Eliminate surplus words that add no meaning

16. Paragraph The contents of a paragraph should concern one topic or idea. The exception is when the paragraph is a transitional one Use short paragraphs: About 8-9 lines