Business Writing in Plain English

American businesses produce over 30 billion original pieces of writing yearly. Much of it is unnecessary, and much of it is poorly written. Everything you write puts both your thinking and your writing skills on display. To make your e-mail messages, memos, letters, reports, or any other business writing effective, here are some tips:
1. Simplify your writing for the reader by giving only a key message, key supporting details, and any action you desire taken.
2. Leave out what you know the reader will skip anyway.
3. Keep most sentences under 20 words.
4. Use contractions and personal pronouns.
5. Write in plain English (see below) and avoid clich?, wordiness or trying to sound businesslike or lawyerlike.
6. Plan you writing before writing it.
7. Write a first draft and then read it out loud for needed revisions, for key message, for missing details, and for clarity of action desired.
8. Edit for correct use of English, or get help in doing so.nnn Plain Englishn FOR THIS USE THISn pursuant to by, unde
attached herewith here'sn transmit sendn in accordance with by, followingn in regard to aboutn affords the opportunity of allowsn appreciable manyn consequently son terminate endn nevertheless stilln notwithstanding in spite ofn at this point in time nown incumbent upon mustn give consideration to conside
for a period of time forn it is my understanding that I understand thatn few and far between (omit)n over a barrel (omit)n light at the end of the tunnel (omit)n easier said than done (omit)n par for the course (omit)

By following these tips, your writing will carry greater impact because your readers will understand you. Also by following these tips your writing confidence will increase and it will take you less time to complete your writing. nn(These tips are taken from the booklet "Key Tips for Greater Writing Impact," which is also a part of The Effective Writer's Kit, by Jim Evers. For details turn to http://www.trainanddevelop.com/products.htm or turn to http://www.eversassociates.com/products.html ) nnn