Management Tip of the Day: 3 Rules for Making Your Writing Clear

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JUNE 14, 2011 3 Rules for Making Your Writing Clear In business writing, you get points for clarity, not style. Instead of trying to wax poetic about your division's plans for the next 60 days, just make your point. Here are three ways to do that: One idea per paragraph. Novels hold several complex ideas and emotions in a single paragraph. In business writing, limit your thoughts to one per paragraph. When you have another suggestion, thought or idea, start a new paragraph. Put your point in the first sentence. Don't entice your readers with background information and build-up. No one has time for that. Make your primary point first. Then go into supporting detail. Make it "scannable." Few people read every word in an email. Use headers and bullet points so that your audience can quickly scan your message and understand your point. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Succeed in Business Writing: Don't Be Dickens" by David Silverman. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Guide to Better Business Writing Harvard Business Review Article Collection This collection of Harvard Management Communications Letter articles lays out proven strategies for improving writing by guiding busy executives and employees in organizing their ideas quickly and communicating them clearly and concisely. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Look Beyond the Financials Don't Mix Business with Pleasure Share a Hypothesis Instead of a Directive Treat Every Task as Three Steps, Not One 3 Rules for Choosing the Right IT Vendor Avoid 3 Traps of Performance Management Save Your Company from Reorg Misery Give Compassionate Criticism 3 Things to Avoid when Scheduling Meetings Leave Your Bad Day at Work BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » 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 © 2011 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)