Writing Tips Archives

Writing Tips

Advice From My Friend Lisa

My friend Lisa has a lot on her plate. (Translation: She is extremely busy.) She has accepted a new job, she is working in the evening to launch her own business, she’s the president of her professional society, and she’s getting to know her new… continue reading

graphic listing characteristics of a good first sentence

First Sentences for Business Letters

Do you struggle with the first sentences of business letters? Review these examples. They will give you ideas on how to start your business letters and email messages. To respond to a letter of complaint: Thank you for writing to us about your experience in… continue reading

Is “Best” a Complimentary Close?

Since my "With Best Wishes" post on January 21, someone wrote asking "Is it okay to end a professional letter with Best?" That’s an interesting question. What do you think? So many questions have two answers–one involving our personal preferences and the other looking at… continue reading

With Best Wishes

UPDATED 22 OCTOBER 2022: Many people visit this site in search of answers to their etiquette questions. One popular query is “How do I end a letter?” Another is “Is ‘best regards’ acceptable?” The Complimentary Close It’s the “complimentary close” or “complimentary closing” that business… continue reading

Salutations in Letters and Email

Dear Reader: Dear Reader, Dear Ms. Reader: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Reader: Hi Reader, Reader, This post is all about the etiquette of salutations (greetings). We discuss both business letter salutation and email salutation. It’s dedicated to the many who have visited this blog… continue reading

Resumes: Content & Ethics

In the United States, the hearings of Judge Samuel Alito for the position of Supreme Court Justice have brought up the subject of what to include in resumes and job applications. Unlike Judge Alito, most of us do not have our resumes combed through and… continue reading

Tips for Writing Meeting Minutes

Do you want to be more efficient? Think about your meetings and the meeting notes that follow them: When our meetings aren't effective, we waste valuable time figuring out what we are trying to accomplish in them. When our meeting minutes aren't effective, we waste… continue reading

Tips for Writing a Holiday Letter

During the holiday season, many people write an annual holiday letter or Christmas letter that reviews the previous 12 months. One challenge is how to write it without sounding like a bragger. Another is to avoid merely listing job promotions, vacations, and our children’s accomplishments.… continue reading

Sending Holiday Greetings

These days people are searching the Web for suggestions on how to write holiday greetings that are suitable for business. I’ll be glad to provide advice. My best suggestion is this: Send a message that’s right for your reader. In our world of global communication,… continue reading

Number 1 of 43 Million Sites!

On Thursday, I wrote about my attempt to use the right search string so my readers could find me. I used the words "Can you start a sentence with and" because readers had not found me when I used the phrasing "Can ‘And’ or ‘But’… continue reading