In business communication Clear writing engages
Your reader should be able to summarise the ‘gist’ of your article in one sentence.
Start with the take-away in mind
Keep it simple, one idea at a time.
Clear writing helps engage our readers and communicates our message more effectively. Clear copy is logically arranged making it almost effortless to read and understand, leaving you wanting to read more. It has a clear meaning and uses short sentences and simple words. Concise writing keeps to a theme, rather than dotting around, making the facts easy to read and understand. Crystal clear copy enables the reader to understand, or “grock”, the writer’s message in one reading.
Writing clear compositions is a skill we need to learn, it takes time, practice and thought. Clear writing applies the concept of simplicity touted by George Bernard Shaw “I’m sorry this letter is so long, I didn’t have time to make it shorter.” Writing in plain language enables us to produce work that is simple and direct, but not patronising. Using plain language does not make everyone sound the same; we each have our own unique voice and manner of expressing an idea. Use the Clarity index to help make your writing easier to read.
Clear and understandable writing is essential in business, enabling the exchange of ideas, and effective action to be taken on those ideas. Not all executives are able to communicate clearly; it is a skill that needs to be developed. Their skill and education levels can count against them as they may make assumptions that everyone “should” understand the topic.
Re-read what you have written, ensure the idea is clear. Review and rewrite until clear.
Re-write until you don’t have to quote Blaise Pascal and say:“I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter.”
One of the easiest ways to pick up good writing skills is to read good writers. Fiction writers often write in a simpler and more readable style, especially when compared to academic journals. If more business people wrote clearly and understandably, information would be easier to share. There is a trend with authors, such as Malcolm Gladwell (Blink, Outliers, The tipping point), to share fascinating psychological and business studies in an entertaining and simple manner. Through the use of stories and practical examples they share information and relate it to our lives in a practical manner.
Learn how to create One Clear Message in your communication with clear writing by contacting us now!
Richard Riche
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