Management Tip of the Day: How to Write Clearly

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MARCH 6, 2013 How to Write Clearly Whenever you write an email, proposal, or report, it is up to you — not the reader — to make sure your point is understood. Here are three ways to ensure your ideas aren't misinterpreted: Adopt the reader's perspective. Put yourself in the reader's shoes to assess your clarity. Better yet, ask a colleague to summarize the main points of your draft from a quick read-through. Keep your language simple. Strive to use short words and sentences. Aim for an average of 20 words or less in each sentence. With every one, ask yourself whether you can say it more briefly. Show, don't tell. Be specific enough that readers draw their own conclusions (that match yours, of course), as opposed to expressing your opinions without support and hoping people will agree. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Better Business Writing. Buy the book to develop critical skills for writing clearly and persuasively » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Better Business Writing Ebook Now Available DON'T LET YOUR WRITING HOLD YOU BACK. When you're fumbling for words and pressed for time, you might be tempted to dismiss good business writing as a nicety. But it's a skill you must cultivate to succeed: You'll lose time, money, and influence if your e-mails, proposals, and other important documents fail to win people over. The HBR Guide to Better Business Writing, by writing expert Bryan A. Garner, gives you the tools you need to express your ideas clearly and persuasively so clients, colleagues, stakeholders, and partners will get behind them. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Think Before Adopting the Latest Marketing Fad Encourage Employees to Want to Stay Use Questions to Build Your Case Win Over Your New Boss Master a New Skill Learn To Be Charismatic Write Your First Draft Fast Balance Creative Free Time with Structure Managers: It's OK to Keep Your Door Closed When Delegating, Let Go of the How All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)