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Writing tips newsletter Previous issues Subscribe Email:

Business Writing Tips e-newsletter : September/October 2008

Create compelling titles

Write titles that encourage others to read your document.

Dull: New Benefits Plan
Compelling: New Benefits Plan Offers Better Coverage and More Options

Entice readers with topic sentences

Start paragraphs with powerful topic sentences (example below) that give the big picture and pique readers' interest.

For 2009, we developed four strategies designed to double revenues.

Don't use vague pronouns

In the first sentence, we can't tell who they refers to. In the second sentence, it's clear that they refers to regional managers.

Unclear: Product specialists need to work closely with regional managers so they can track distribution trends.
Clear: If regional managers want to track distribution trends, they need to work closely with product specialists.

Grammar tip: be sure verbs agree with subjects

Every quarter, the team's ability to effectively manage promotion, pricing and distribution determine/determines our market share.

The subject, ability, is singular, so use determines.

Writing course approved for accounting credits

New Jersey accountants can now earn continuing education credits by enrolling in Jack's course, "Steps to successful business writing for accounting professionals." Call 845.782.2419.

Jack's article in National Underwriter

National Underwriter, a leading insurance trade magazine, published "Good writing has the power to boost insurer, adjuster, producer productivity" in its Sept. 8 edition.