Business Writing

Three Quick Error Quests for You

How good are you at finding errors? The three short error quests below will test your proofreading skills and your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and structure. Each quest contains just one error—no more, no less. Can you find it? You may be surprised at the solutions. Good luck! Error Quest... Read more →

Tips on Fresh Writing for Elizabeth Warren--and You

This is a blog about business writing—not politics. But Elizabeth Warren’s recent fall in poll numbers and weak results in primaries are directly tied to the message she is communicating. And that IS a writing issue. Senator Warren doesn’t need to change her ideas and well-planned programs. She needs to... Read more →

How Writing Is Like Taking Blood

On Friday I donated blood at a popup blood center. In the process I had to share information—about my sex partners, pregnancies, travel history, and illnesses. I had to repeatedly give my full name and birthdate. A personal exchange? Nope. It was completely impersonal. I felt like a commodity. No... Read more →

Three Quick Tips for Error-Free Signs

Do you ever have to post informal signs at work? Maybe it's to announce that an elevator is out of order or a meeting has been cancelled. Maybe it’s to direct guests to a conference room. Although informal, hundreds of people can see such signs. What impression do they make?... Read more →

Professionalism vs. Saving Trees: Which Do You Choose?

A friend had just finished a proposal she would be presenting to a new client the next morning. After printing six copies for the people who would be at the meeting, she noticed that she had made an error in the client’s name at the top of page 1. Part... Read more →

Can You Pass This Test on Giving Constructive Feedback?

Yesterday I posted advice on giving constructive feedback in writing. That advice took the form of a list of Don'ts. Why not test yourself today on tips for giving constructive feedback? The list of 20 Don'ts below contains some fake Don’ts that should actually be Dos. Can you identify them?... Read more →

Make Constructive Comments Without Making Enemies

In my survey of 686 people working in the United States, 77 percent indicated that they have felt extremely hurt when receiving negative written feedback on the job. That hurt shouldn’t be happening. Feedback should be constructive—not destructive. To give feedback that helps rather than hurts, avoid these Don’ts. 1.... Read more →

Do Missing Pronouns Make You Cringe?

A reader named Kris sent this question: "I notice that people are no longer writing or speaking pronouns at the beginning of sentences. Is this acceptable now? I was taught that an implicit 'You' did not need to be written/spoken, but I’m noticing 'I' and 'We' not spoken or written."... Read more →

Review: Interested in Language? You’ll Love This Book

As an English major in college, I had only one English department class that I did not do well in: I got a C in linguistics, a required class. Phonemes, bilabial fricatives—they bored me to tears. How I wish the text had been this new book by David Shariatmadari: Don’t... Read more →

Can You Fix This Headline?

Reader Lionel B. Dyck has provided us with a great, weird headline to improve. It’s from “The Jerusalem Post.” Yes, newspapers are a special breed of writing, and headlines must be concise. But this one cuts so many words that it hurts my logical head. How would you clarify it?... Read more →