The Manager’s Guide To Business Writing (mcgraw-hill Briefcase Books Series)

Preface

1. 
Write For Your Readers

 
 
 
* Know Your Readers * What If You Don't
Know Your Readers? * Check For Readability * Writings From The Reader's
Perspective * Build Reader Rapport * Come To Terms With Gender * Manager's
Checklist For Chapter 1

2. 
From Purpose Through Process

 
 
 
* Know Your Single Purpose * Writings In
Four Stages * Five-Step Revision And Edit * Help For Your Grammar * Manager's
Checklist For Chapter 2

3. 
The Power Of Words To Express, Not Impress

 
 
 
* Make It Clear, Economical, And
Straightforward * Avoid Trite Phrases, Cliches, And Jargon * Accentuate The
Positive * Make It Active * Avoid Typographical Excess * Avoid Noun And
Adjective Stacks * Choices And Consideration * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 3

4. 
Structure Your Writing To Reach Your Reader

 
 
 
* Techniques To Engage The Reader * Traditional
Letter Form * Memo of E-mail Form * Tips For Writing At Chip Speed * Five
Formats For Letters And Memos * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 4

5. 
The Power Of Visuals, White Space, And Headings

 
 
 
* Visuals: Into The Head Through The Eyes
* White Space: Making The Most Of Nothing * Headings: Signposts And Signals *
Summary * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 5

6. 
How To Start And Stop

 
 
 
* Gaining Attention * Effective Openings *
Holding Your Readers * Ending Strong * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 6

7. 
Zero-Based Writings

 
 
 
* Move From Assumptions To Perspective *
Master Process Writing * Write Clear, Practical Descriptions * Write Simple
Instructions * Put It All Together * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 7

8. 
Dealing With Tough Situations

 
 
 
* Breaking Bad News * Reacting To A
Predicament * Above All, Do No Harm * Turning Negatives Into Positives *
Competence And Confidence * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 8

9. 
Persuading Your Readers

 
 
 
* How To Persuade In Three Difficult Steps
* Ten Rules Of Persuasion * Use A Problem/Solution Format * Write Powerful
Proposals * Conclusion * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 9

10. Reports, Reports, Reports

 
 
 
* Basics For All Reports * Occasional
Report * Activity Report * Status Or Progress Report * Formal Report *
Evaluating Your Report * Manager's Checklist For Chapter 10

Appendix

Index

 

 

In today?s fast-action business world, you are often required to write accurate, hard-hitting letters, memos, and reports?all at a moment?s notice! The Manager?s Guide to Business Writing contains practical guidelines for writing business correspondence and materials with speed, precision, and power. Designed to provide maximum impact to your everyday work performance, this intense short-course in persuasive writing contains examples of concise yet complete letters, memos, and e-mail, strategies to use headings and white space, and more. Use this concise manual to immediately target and improve your business writing, and ensure that it always works to your advantage.

Table of contents

Write for Your Readers.

From Purpose Through Process.

The Power of Words to Express, Not Impress.

Structure Your Writing to Reach Your Reader.

The Power of Visuals, White Space, and Headings.

How to Start and Stop.

Zero-Based Writing.

Dealing with Tough Situations.

Persuading Your Readers.

Reports, Reports, Reports.

Appendices: A: Postscript: Top Ten Tips for Writing Well in Business.

B: Quick Reference to Writing Basics.