Manager's Guide To Business Writing 2/E
Preface
1. Write for Your Readers
Know Your Readers
What If You Don’t Know Your Readers?
Check for Readability
Write from the Reader’s Perspective
Build Reader Rapport
Come to Terms with Gender
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 1
2. From Purpose Through Process
Know Your Single Purpose
Writing in Four Stages
Five-Step Revision and Edit
Help for Your Grammar
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 2
3. The Power of Words to Express, Not Impress
Make It Clear, Economical, and Straightforward
Avoid Trite Phrases, Clichés, and Jargon
Accentuate the Positive
Make It Active
Avoid Typographical Excess
Avoid Noun and Adjective Stacks
Choices and Consideration
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 3
4. Structure Your Writing to Reach Your Reader
Techniques to Engage the Reader
Traditional Letter Form
E-Mail Form
Tips for Writing at Chip Speed
Five Formats for Letters and E-Mail
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 4
5. The Power of Visuals, White Space, and Headings
Visuals: Into the Head Through the Eyes
White Space: Making the Most of Nothing
Headings: Signposts and Signals
Summary
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 5
6. Writing Basics: Grammar and Style
Style
Vocabulary
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Layout
Going Beyond This Book
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 6
7. How to Start and Stop
Gaining Attention
Effective Openings
Holding Your Readers
Ending Strong
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 7
8. Writing for Social Media
Blogs
Tweeting
Facebook
Summary
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 8
9. Zero-Based Writing
Move from Assumptions to Perspective
Master Process Writing
Write Clear, Practical Descriptions
Write Simple Instructions
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 9
10. Dealing with Tough Situations
Breaking Bad News
Reacting to a Predicament
Above All, Do No Harm
Turning Negatives into Positives
Competence and Confidence
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 10
11. Reports, Reports, Reports
Basics for All Reports
Occasional Report
Activity Report
Status or Progress Report
Formal Report
Evaluating Your Report
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 11
12. Persuading Your Readers
How to Persuade in Three Difficult Steps
Ten Rules of Persuasion
Use a Problem/Solution Format
Write Powerful Proposals
Conclusion
Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 12
Appendix. Postscript: Top 10 Tips for Writing Well in Business
Index
Write every business correspondence with speed, precision, and power
The number one prerequisite for effective management is effective communication—and writing is a critical part of it. Simply put, whether it’s a quick e-mail or a 20-page report, your writing is a reflection of you—and people will make judgments accordingly.
Manager’s Guide to Business Writing, Second Edition, provides everything you need to give colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders the most information accurately and quickly. Learn how to express yourself as a serious professional by writing everything with clarity, quality, and decisiveness.
Manager’s Guide to Business Writing teaches you how to:
- Know your audience and your purpose before you start writing
- Engage readers’ curiosity from the first sentence
- Compose instructions that are easy to understand and follow
- Write effectively on social media platforms and blogs
- Master the foundations of effective writing—grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and style
Briefcase Books, written specifically for today’s busy manager, feature eye-catching icons, checklists, and sidebars to guide managers step-by-step through everyday workplace situations. Look for these innovative features to help you navigate each page:
- Clear definitions of key terms and concepts
- Tactics and strategies for applying writing skills to management issues
- Tricks of the trade for crafting clear and effective documents
- Examples of successful business writing
- Cautions for when things can go wrong in composing memos, e-mails, and reports
- Practical advice for avoiding common errors
- Specific procedures for planning and executing your writing on the job