{"id":783,"date":"2011-07-06T16:37:44","date_gmt":"2011-07-06T08:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shirleytaylor.com\/blog\/?p=783"},"modified":"2011-07-06T16:39:11","modified_gmt":"2011-07-06T08:39:11","slug":"how-can-you-achieve-results-from-your-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shirleytaylor.com\/blog\/how-can-you-achieve-results-from-your-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can You Achieve Results From Your Writing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

The main purpose of any communication is not to sound impressive or to use long words that no-one can understand! The main purpose is to communicate clearly, be understood and be effective – and that means to achieve results from your writing. How can you achieve this?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Structure your documents logically<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tUse fully-blocked style and open punctuation in all your letters, faxes, reports, etc.
    \n\t\tStructure all your documents logically using my 4-point plan<\/span><\/a> – make sure there is an introduction setting the scene, a central section stating all the details, and then draw it all together with a response\/action section and finally a simple close. <\/o:p><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Organise your points visually<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tUse display appropriately to help get your message across. Numbered points and bullets are very helpful, and side headings can be useful when you have to include things like date\/time\/venue (but please don't include a long line of colons, which are totally unnecessary and a waste of time!) <\/o:p><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Keep trim<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tLong sentences may confuse your reader. They will get to the end of a sentence and then have to go back to the beginning because the can't remember what you said. Keep sentences short, 7-20\/25 words maximum. <\/o:p><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Give your reader a break<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tPoor formatting is a common complaint from readers, especially e-mail. There is nothing worse than seeing 10-12 lines of words with no paragraphs. Use new paragraph for each separate issue of the main theme, with each paragraph about 4-5 lines. <\/o:p><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Eradicate jargon<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tAvoid acronyms and specialist language unless you are sure it will be understood. KISS means keep it short and simple – that means simple words instead of long ones, and simple phrases instead of long sentences. <\/o:p><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Use familiar terms<\/span><\/b>
    \n\t\tIf the reader doesn't understand the words you use, they will not look them up in a dictionary – they just won't be impressed and they will stop reading! Ditch the dinosaur language, cut out the commonly-used clichés that were made up by Great-Grandfather. Remember the golden rule of business writing in the 21st Century:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The main purpose of any communication is not to sound impressive or to use long words that no-one can understand! The main purpose is to communicate clearly, be understood and be effective – and that means to achieve results from your writing. 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