“Good writing is difficult. It takes a lot of practice and it can be very time consuming. And at the end of the process… you might not get your message across. The purpose of this presentation is not to convince you that writing is fun. Many of you will never think that writing is fun! Rather, the purpose of this presentation is to show you ways of maximizing your impact in print so that you get a better return on what you write.”

1. You CAN Write Well! Tips and tricks for getting your message across in print Part 4 of 4 Erica MacCreaigh Correctional Libraries Senior Consultant Colorado State Library

2. The Second Deadly Sin Using the wrong format

3. The Golden Ruleof Proper Presentation People “see” how your message “looks”

4. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of Proper Presentation Format should match weight of the message

5. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of Proper Presentation Format should match weight of the message Master the “formality continuum”

6. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of Proper Presentation Format should match weight of the message Master the “formality continuum” Written messages are not always the best format

7. From: Maude Jones Subject: Initiating 100 item hold feature Hi, Margaret: Effective immediately, patrons may have up to 100 items on hold at any given time. Please direct any questions or complaints to my office. Thanks!

8. MEMORANDUM To: Margaret Smith, Library Technician II From: Maude Jones, Regional Librarian Subject: Initiating 100 item hold feature Effective immediately, patrons may have up to 100 items on hold at any given time. Please direct any questions or complaints to my office. COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Correctional Education Programs 2862 South Circle Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4195 Phone: (719)226-4417 Fax: (719)226-4424 John W. Hickenlooper Governor Tom Clements Executive Director

9. MEMORANDUM To: Maude Jones, Regional Librarian From: Margaret Smith, Library Technician II Subject: Initiating 100 item hold feature I’ll be taking four hours of personal leave on Friday. COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Correctional Education Programs 2862 South Circle Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4195 Phone: (719)226-4417 Fax: (719)226-4424 John W. Hickenlooper Governor Tom Clements Executive Director

10. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email?

11. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email? I could get in trouble for telling you this…

12. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email? I could get in trouble for telling you this… I am shocked and disappointed by your…

13. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email? I could get in trouble for telling you this… I am shocked and disappointed by your… Furthermore…

14. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email? I could get in trouble for telling you this… I am shocked and disappointed by your… Furthermore… My account number and password are…

15. Which of these phrases should never appear in an email? I could get in trouble for telling you this… I am shocked and disappointed by your… Furthermore… My account number and password are… Jimmy Hoffa’s remains are under my bed

16. The Third Deadly Sin Fatal fonts, poisonous punctuation, and sloppy spelling

17. The Golden Ruleof “Dotting the i’s” Precision pays off

18. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of “Dotting the i’s” Dot the i’s…and cross the t’s

19. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of “Dotting the i’s” Dot the i’s…and cross the t’s Don’t rely solely on spell check

20. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of “Dotting the i’s” Dot the i’s…and cross the t’s Don’t rely solely on spell check Be selective about fonts

21. Techniques for applying the Golden Rule of “Dotting the i’s” Dot the i’s…and cross the t’s Don’t rely solely on spell check Be selective about fonts Be careful about punctuation

22. Look at that huge, hot dog!

23. Look at that huge, hot dog!

24. Look at that huge, hot dog! Look at that huge hot dog!

25. Look at that huge, hot dog! Look at that huge hot dog!

26. Margaret: The statistical report for the last quarter was due at headquarters yesterday. They just told me that they have not received it.

27. Margaret! The statistical report for the last quarter was due at headquarters yesterday. They just told me that they have not received it.

28. MARGARET! The statistical report for the last quarter was due at headquarters yesterday. They just told me that they have not received it.

29. Margaret: The statistical report for the last quarter was due at headquarters yesterday. They just told me that they have not received it.

31. Margaret: The statistical report for the last quarter was due at headquarters yesterday. They just told me that they have not received it.

33. Betrayed by spell check!

34. Betrayed by spell check! Could we discuss my anal evaluation?

35. Betrayed by spell check! Could we discuss my anal evaluation? Hope to hear from you shorty.

36. Betrayed by spell check! Could we discuss my anal evaluation? Hope to hear from you shorty. We’ll be ruining the library from 6:00-8:00 in the evening.

37. Betrayed by spell check! Could we discuss my anal evaluation? Hope to hear from you shorty. We’ll be ruining the library from 6:00-8:00 in the evening. The chaplain says he received a massage from God.

38. Golden rule recap

39. Golden rule recap Less is best

40. Golden rule recap Less is best Have a point…and get to it…quickly

41. Golden rule recap Less is best Have a point…and get to it…quickly Make sure that what they see is what they “get”

42. Golden rule recap Less is best Have a point…and get to it…quickly Make sure that what they see is what they “get” People “see” how your message “looks”

43. Golden rule recap Less is best Have a point…and get to it…quickly Make sure that what they see is what they “get” People “see” how your message “looks” Precision pays off

44. Golden rule recap Less is best Have a point…and get to it…quickly Make sure that what they see is what they “get” People “see” how your message “looks” Precision pays off It’s all about your readers

45. You CAN Write Well! Tips and tricks for getting your message across in print Part 4 of 4 Erica MacCreaigh Correctional Libraries Senior Consultant Colorado State Library