Management Tip of the Day: 3 Ways to Tighten Your Writing

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 SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 3 Ways to Tighten Your Writing Writing today—a report, memo, or email—must be short if you want people to read it. But succinctly expressing yourself can be tough. Here are three ways to trim your writing and say what you want in fewer words: Refine it. Take a hard look at the structure of your writing. Only include sections that are necessary to support your points. Consider an informal tone. Just because you're writing a report doesn't mean you need to be formal. Writing like a bureaucrat makes you use longer words and a complicated sentence structure. Adopting a more informal tone often helps you be direct and concise. Cut and then cut more. Look over your document sentence by sentence. If a sentence doesn't serve an important purpose, get rid of it. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Better Business Writing. Buy the full guide to learn more about crafting clear communications » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Guide to Better Business Writing, 2nd Edition HBR OnPoint Collection Does writing for an audience of senior managers or key stakeholders get your heart pounding—in a bad way? Do you stare at your blank screen for several painful minutes, type in a few words, delete them, type a few more, delete again, and then go refill your coffee? When you send e-mails to colleagues, do your messages disappear into a void, never to be read, let alone answered? Do your proposals fail to grab clients' attention and win jobs? Many of us fumble for the right words and tone when we write, even if we're confident and articulate when we speak. But it doesn't have to be that way. Writing clearly and persuasively requires neither magic nor luck. And it's not a genetic gift. It's a skill, to be sure—but one you can build with the help of the practical advice in this guide. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Turn Stress into an Asset 3 Ways to Increase Your Team's Performance 3 Traits Essential to Being a Good Salesperson How to Truly Unplug on Your Vacation 3 Ways to Spot a Liar Identify and Stop Workplace Bullying 3 Characteristics of a Real Team 3 Tips for Surviving Work Travel Defy the "Always On" Mindset Good Enough is Better than Great IT 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)