1. Business Writing Basics

2. Communication:
2 A giving or exchanging of information, signals, or messages as by talk, gestures, or writing
5 The art of expressing ideas, especially in speech and writing
Webster’s New World Dictionary, 3rd ed.

3. Communication:
Communication influences thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Information merely informs
Use the 80/20 Rule

4. 80%
Communication

5. 20%

6. Clarify what it is you intend before writing
Clear
Clarify what it is you intend before writing

7. Clearly state your intent in the lead

8. One topic per communication
Clear
One topic per communication

9. Provide supporting detail
Clear
Provide supporting detail

10. Less is more, in many cases
Edit!
Less is more, in many cases

11. If everything else is cut, will your message still be clear?
Strong thesis
If everything else is cut, will your message still be clear?

12. Don’t get hung on an issue
Make points briefly
Don’t get hung on an issue

13. Correct
Check the facts

14. Do not rely on spell check
Correct
Do not rely on spell check

15. Correct
Do not rush

16. Dictionaries and thesauruses are the writer’s friends
Correct
Dictionaries and thesauruses are the writer’s friends