Writing for business : expert solutions to everyday challenges.
- Boston, Mass. : Harvard Business School Press, (c)2007.
- 1 online resource (x, 83 pages) : illustrations.
- Pocket mentor series .
Includes bibliographies and index.
Mentor's message : reader-focused writing gets results -- Writing for business : the basics -- Foundation principles -- Clarify your propose -- Take a reader-centered approach -- State your key message clearly -- Keep the message short and simple -- Confirm your delivery strategy -- Scope your project -- Broad versus limited scope -- Start-up strategies -- Questioning -- The traditional outline -- The brainstorm outline -- Freewriting -- Organize material according to purpose -- Order-of-importance method -- Chronological method -- Process and procedure methods -- Spatial arrangement method -- Compare and contrast method -- Specific-to-general or general-to-specific method -- Analytical method -- Writing the first draft -- Begin where you feel most comfortable -- Write in categories -- Special considerations for a technical document -- Structuring paragraphs -- Limit the number of subjects in each paragraph -- Create smooth transitions -- Editing for content -- Put your message in focus -- Review for clarity -- Sequence your key message strategically -- Answer your readers' question : "why?" -- Editing for style -- Design for visual impact -- Match your tone to your audience -- Check for conciseness -- Adopt the active voice -- Edit for accuracy -- Drafting e-mail -- Common problems -- Start with the subject line -- Only one topic per e-mail -- Make the purpose of the message clear -- Be concise and use attachments -- Remember your audience -- Keep formatting simple -- Review your company's e-mail policy -- Know when not to send an e-mail -- Tips and tools -- Tools for business writing -- Test yourself --Answers to test questions -- To learn more -- Sources for business writing -- Notes.
Effective business writing rests on a foundation of basic principles. Master them, and you'll know how to handle the many different writing tasks that come your way. The Pocket Mentor series offers immediate solutions to common challenges managers face on the job every day. Each book in the series is packed with handy tools, self-tests and real life examples to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and hone critical skills. Whether you are at your desk, in a meeting, or on the road, these portable guides enable you to tackle the daily demands of your work with greater speed, savvy, and effectiveness. This guide will show you how to organize and edit your message for maximum impact.