Business Writing Tip Sheet: July '08

Edit carefully to produce concise text

Reread your text and delete unnecessary words.

Wordy

Consultants who have strategic partners they can align themselves with can generate leads that come from different industries.

Concise

Consultants aligned with strategic partners can generate leads from different industries.

For PowerPoint slides, use short phrases

Instead of longer sentences, write shorter phrases that summarize your talking points.

Sentence with too much text

We will need 50 account reps to service our clients in the southeast region.

Brief talking point

50 account reps for southeast clients

Grammar tip: don't use however as conjunction

Wrong

Steve has improved his management skills, however he still needs to better understand our new products.

Right: two sentences

Steve has improved his management skills. However, he still needs to better understand our new products.

Right: one sentence

Steve has improved his management skills, but he still needs to better understand our new products.

News on Jack's book

Free chapter

Download a free chapter ("Grab readers' attention") of 10 Steps to Successful Business Writing. Go to www.astd.org.

NJ college selects "10 Steps" for class

The Teaneck, New Jersey-based Fairleigh Dickinson University has selected Jack's book for its graduate level class, "Executive Communication and Leadership."

One-minute video: Jack discusses book

Watch a 60-second video of Jack explaining how his book helps people write more productively. Go to www.sgwriting.com.

Insurance editor lauds "10 Steps"

Sam Friedman, insurance industry veteran and editor of National Underwriter, recommended Jack's book in his July 3 blog. Go to www.property-casualty.com.

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