Good writing brings everything into focus. You get the wide view and the details. The secrets to writing with clarity work equally well whether the content is simple or complex. Be specific The next time you find yourself struggling to understand something someone else has written, take a closer look. Often the reason is that they … Continue reading Secrets to writing clearly
Plain Language
Step 1: Gain their attention
Give them a reason to care Advertisers have known this forever. With the first sentence, you must pull the reader in and give them a reason to continue. This is equally important in business writing. You have a few sentences to grab the reader’s attention. If you want the content you write to be … Continue reading Step 1: Gain their attention
Clear Writing–Why You Need a Plan
Yet we may not think twice about starting a writing project before we’ve planned what needs to be said. The shorter the piece of writing, the more likely this is to happen. Maybe you think it’s grade-school behaviour to outline an email. I’m here to tell you that those outlines your teacher made you write … Continue reading Clear Writing–Why You Need a Plan
Let the clear writing begin
Principles of clear writing For more than 25 years, I’ve specialized in clear writing. I’ve written user guides and reference manuals, video scripts and emails, blogs and reports, course content and textbooks, exams and public education material. My work has taken me into a wide range of organizations from small consulting firms to government organizations, … Continue reading Let the clear writing begin