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Use your browser's Find function to look for tips that apply to your particular situation.
Tools to help you include Bull's Eye Business Writing (a
self-paced workbook) and How To Improve Your Business Reading Skills (also on
CD-ROM)--all from Basic Learning Systems, Inc. 888-204-3600 * See our Web
site at http://www.basic-learning.com
| Tip # 104: When writing a media release, keep it simple. Journalists
want to know who you are, what you're doing, when you're doing it, where it will be and
why they should care: who, what, when where, why. Those are the five basic questions of journalism, and they apply to public relations, sales, or any business document. Thanks to infor@businessthinkers.com for this advice. ********************************************************* Please rewrite these sentences, courtesy of Dartnell: 1. The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so Iran over him. 2. I was on my way to the doctor with rear-end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident. ********************************************************* Here is the suggested rewrite from Purdue University's online writing lab for last week's exercise: "In response to your question about how many coats of Poly-Treat are needed to cover new surfaces: one gallon is usually enough for one-coat coverage of 500 square feet of previously painted surface. For the best results on new surfaces, you want to apply two coats." If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
Tip #105: Be specific and use terms your reader can picture, or you
may lose your reader's attention.
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| Tip #106: When do you use "due to" or "because
of"?" I received this message: "Dan, can you and Gloria answer this? In what examples is it better to use "due to" than "because of"? We usually use the latter more than the former, but I read an article in which it was suggested that "due to" equals "attributable to." Well, isn't "because of" synonymous with "attributable to" as well? Perplexed in Massachusetts, Rick" (The following answers can be found in the Gregg Reference Manual.) "Due to" introduces an adjective phrase and should modify nouns. It is normally used only after some form of the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were, etc.) Example: Her success is due to talent and hard work. (Due to modifies success.) "Because of" and "on account of" introduce adverbial phrases and should modify verbs. Example: He resigned because of ill health. (Because of modifies resigned.) ********************************************************* Please correct the following word usage errors: 1. Being that I arrived late, I could not get a seat. 2. The territory is divided evenly among the two sales representatives. 3. Both sisters complained about the other. ********************************************************* Here are last week's answers: 1. He has at least one physical feature with inherent comic value, "e.g.," Jim Carrey's grin, John Cusack's pout, and Ben Stiller's slouch. (printed in the New York Post) 2. Do you find that you use sex as a way of dealing withfeelings ("e.g.," stress, loneliness, sadness, fear, anger)? (published by the Associated Press) If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #107: When writing instructions follow these principles: 1. Write instructions concisely, and use the imperative mood (start with a verb). Example Change:The operator should raise the access lid." (indicative mood) To: Raise the access lid. (imperative mood) 2. Instructions should be concise, but should not sound like a telegram. Example Change:Pass card through punch area for debris. To:Pass a card through the punch area to clear away any debris. 3. Divide instructions into short, simple steps. Example A. Connect each black cable wire to a brass terminal. B. Attach one 3-inch green jumper to the cable wire. C. Connect the jumper wire to the white cable attachment. ********************************************************* Please correct the following: 1. The peer review group had a lot of objections. 2. Please fill out and submit the above by March 1. 3. He was already to start work on the project. ********************************************************* Here are the suggested answers to last week's exercise: 1. Because I arrived late, I could not get a seat. 2. The territory is divided evenly between the two sales representatives. 3. Both sisters complained about each other. ********************************************************* Thanks to Dolores for the following kind remarks about my tips. Dear Gloria, I can't tell you how much I enjoy the tips and interaction. Thank you so very much. Dolores
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| Tip # 108: To convey a friendly and confident image of yourself and
your organization, take particular care with both the tone and style of your writing. The following are tips to help you achieve a tone that sounds respectful, modest, polite, and tactful: 1. Sound respectful, not demanding. Example I would appreciate your answer within 10 days. 2. Sound modest, not arrogant. Example I have tried to be as thorough as possible in my report, and I hope you find this useful. 3. Sound polite, not sarcastic. Example I am returning the products we ordered on March 10.Unfortunately, the shipment arrived too late to be useful. 4. Sound positive and tactful, not negative and condescending. Example Thank you for your suggestion concerning our prices.We believe, however, that our prices are competitive with, and in some cases are below, those of our competitors. ********************************************************* This question is from Rick and his MBA students at Babson College. Please send in your answers to help them: How do we justify the subjective case (or is it even correct, if not why) for:
Why is she subjective? It's in the predicate, correct? If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #109: To gain the attention of your reader, start your sales or
promotional correspondence with an emotion-packed opening statement in a headline, opening
sentence, subject line or web page header. Here are examples of opening statements:
********************************************************* If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 110: Vary the rhythm and style of your writing by alternating
short and long sentences.(These examples have been adapted from the Purdue University
Writing lab). Example They visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn't find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. Revised They visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art, such as soapstone carvings and wall hangings. Anchorage stores had many soapstone items available. ********************************************************* Now try to revise the following sentence by alternating short and long sentences: "Fast food corporations are producing and advertising bigger items and high-fat combination meals.The American population faces a growing epidemic of obesity." ********************************************************* Here is another response to my tip #108. I thought this was a good explanation: She is subjective and correct because she is renaming the subject. When a noun renames the subject following a linking verb, it is always in the subjective case. The terms subject complement and predicate nominative what "she" in the sentence is. Other examples: 1) The officers of the PTO are she and I. 2) The new governor is he. ********************************************************* Here are the answers to tip # 109: 1. If I had been Paula, I would not have started a sexual harassment lawsuit. 2. I asked myself what I would have, could have, and should have done. 3. I don't know what the deal was with her. ********************************************************* Thanks to The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) for having me as a presenter for their 78th annual conference in Miami Beach. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
Writing for Trade Publications | Active Voice | http://www.atozwriting.com
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