Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Business Style
Use plain, precise and familiar language to get to the point,
prevent misunderstanding, and write with impact
Identify strategies for concise messaging
Develop a conversational and confident tone and adjust it to suit
a range of writing purposes, professional situations and
relationships
Plain Style
Use common words except for necessary technical terms
o Write to express, not impress
Use reasonable lengths
o (8 words = 100% comprehension; 15 words = 90%
Use active voice verbs
o The subject performs the action: bob selected the new
computers v. the new computers were selected by Bob)
Use personal pronouns
o I, you, we (use in moderation, except in formal reports)
Use unambiguous language
o It will never be ambiguous for the writer, but always to the
reader
Place the subject as close as possible to the verb
How To Be Concise
Consider:
o How long it takes to read
o How the choice of words affects coherence and readability
Use fewer words whenever fewer will do
Eliminate long lead-ins
o Start directly unless extreme politeness is required, delete
any opening phrases ending in that or because
E.g. do not say, I am writing this letter because
Or: As the director of operations, I am writing
to inform you that
Revise noun conversion
o Verbs converted into nouns (often by adding tion or ment
endings) lose their power.
o Focus shifts to the converted noun instead of the action
Cut wordy phrases
o Just one word will often do
E.g. At a rapid rate rapidly
Due to the fact that because
Eliminate redundancies
CMN279 Notes Class 2