Speaking and writing are the two main ways of communicating, of sharing ideas and conducting business. Writing in particular has become the main form of business communication throughout the world. Most employers would agree that two of the most crucial skills they look for in hiring new staff and in training current staff are the ability to think critically and to express themselves clearly both orally and in writing. Doesn't this confirm the importance of communication?

Communication is, and it always will be, the lifeblood of any organisation, and just like any other endeavour, the more you put into it, the more you'll get back!

More and more people are realising how important it is to improve their writing skills, just like this group of lovely participants at my two-day 'Power Up Your Business Writing Skills' workshop in April.

Thanks to these participants for their feedback:

Joan Toh, Executive from SembCorp Industries: "I enjoyed Shirley's workshop - all of it. I hope that I will not make the same writing mistakes ever!"

Dawn Ee, PA from Singapore Sports Council: "The humorous and knowledgeable trainer makes the workshop enjoyable and informative."

Catherine Hum, Associate Director from Wellington International: "Very interesting & lively workshop. I've learned a lot from this workshop and will share it with friends and colleagues."

Why not join me for my next two-day Power Up Your Business Writing workshop? It will be held at the Holiday Inn Park View on 9-10 June 2005. Contact Sam Loo at 63762018 for more details.

If any of my past workshop participants have any feedback on how they are coping back in the office, I'd be happy to hear from you. By using the tried and tested techniques, tips and guidelines in my workshop, as well as in my books, I hope you will enjoy learning to communicate your ideas more effectively and professionally. In doing so, you can only enhance your career as well as the success of your organisation.

Thanks to those of you who have written to say how much you like my A-Z of Bloopers, Blunders, Common errors and Clichés. Here are some more for you:

Gobbledygook
Gobbledygook is writing that is bombastic, pretentious, stuffy and long-winded. It is writing that attempts to sound official or formal. Take a look at this letter from an accountant - it is full of gobbledygook.

Goodself
This is so old-fashioned. Please do not use this word in your writing.

Grammar
Too many people still spell this word as grammer. There is no such word as grammer - it's grammar.

Hereby and Herewith
These are old-fashioned clichÈs that we should not use in the 21st Century.

However
However - when the meaning is 'nevertheless' - can be used at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. It's a good word to help you illustrate a contrast in thought. Note that commas are usually needed.

For example:
I rarely work on weekends. However, last weekend was an exception.
I rarely work on weekends. Last weekend, however, was an exception.
I rarely work on weekends. Last weekend was an exception, however.

When you use however to mean 'in whatever way' or 'to whatever extent', note that it is one word, not two:

However you advise her, she will do exactly as she pleases.

I thought I'd introduce a quick quiz this month - something to test your knowledge of language. I'll include the answers next month. Let me know if you like this feature, and it could become regular.

This month's quiz involves similar words -words that sound and/or are spelled very similarly, which are often confused. See if you can spot the correct words from those shown in brackets:

1. Ten years have ....... since the two companies merged. (past/passed)
2. When you take a problem to your manager, be sure to offer an ....... solution.
   (alternate/alternative)
3. Good teachers should try to ....... answers from their students, rather than telling them everything. (illicit/elicit)
4. Perhaps you can ask the chairman to ....... the decision until the next meeting. (defer/deter)
5. When the company received a lot of adverse publicity, the staff ....... was very low. (moral/morale)
6. Always ...... that you proofread your documents carefully before sending them out. (insure/ensure)
7. A good employee will play a vital ....... in the company's success. (roll/role)
8. Mark has always ....... to being manager of his own company. (aspired/inspired)
9. The CEO's speech had a great ....... on staff motivation. (affect/effect)
10. Please let me have your expert ....... on this issue. (advice/advise)

So many of my workshop participants ask me for clarification on where to put that pesky apostrophe.

Is it childrens' clothes or children's clothes?
Is it Iris' report or Iris's report?
Is it CEO's office or CEOs office?
Is it PC's or PCs?
Is it it's or its?

If the apostrophe has you scratching your head, you will be fascinated by an article written by Tim North, which he has very kindly given permission for me to include on my website. I know it will help you, so do check it out.

Please write to me with any feedback you have, or tell me what you want to see in my e-newsletter. I'd love to hear from you. Write to me at shirley@shirleytaylor.com.

Make May a merry one, and I'll see you in June!!!

Shirley

PPS: You may reprint this newsletter or forward it to your customers and colleagues. However please keep this copyright and contact information intact:

Copyright Shirley Taylor 2005. Shirley Taylor is author of several popular books on effective communication and business writing. She lives in Singapore and works as an international trainer, seminar leader, professional writer and conference speaker.