Dear Reader: I’m not sure whether it’s gender-based or not, but it certainly seems that more men than women have trouble opening a business letter with the salutation “Dear _____.” In a recent writing class in Bellevue, Washington, several men admitted they couldn’t force themselves… continue reading
Rules from Grade School
In a meeting yesterday, a potential new client said, "It drives me nuts when I see a sentence that ends with a preposition." It was another case of anxiety brought on by a misunderstood grammar rule, with the damage no doubt done by an excellent,… continue reading
Making Beautiful Music–A Lesson
My 11-year-old daughter attended the Japan-Seattle Suzuki International Institute this week, and I tagged along as her companion. Attending a class for parents, I picked up advice on how to help her practice and play her violin better. The session was led by a virtuoso… continue reading
Read It LOUD (That Is, ALOUD)
Mistakes. Mistakes. Mistakes. We all make them, even when we think we have proofread our documents. Some mistakes are worse than others: Written: The rent will be $200 per month. Intended: The rent increase will be $200 per month. Written: You have a… continue reading
With Your Knickers in a Knot
Lately I’ve been thinking about courteous business writing. That topic always reminds me of a message I got from my friend and longtime colleague Cindy Clay, for whom I used to do a lot of writing. I had emailed a book review to Cindy, and… continue reading
13 Little Words
I just got a quick 13-word email that made me smile and made my work life easier. The pleasing message was simply this: “I don’t know–but I’ll find out and get back to you ASAP.” No, it’s no subtle pun that amused me. It’s that… continue reading
Feeling Ignored? Blame Your Subject Line
The other day I wrote about not blaming yourself if your email doesn’t reach its intended reader: Feeling Ignored: Blame Email. Rather than post to my blog, my husband Michael commented to me face to face. I think that’s a good sign for our marriage.… continue reading
Watch Your Verbiage
For a business writing class I will teach later today, I asked participants to let me know what they would like to be able do better in their writing. Among those responding, two participants wanted to “use better verbiage” and “use more powerful verbiage.” Being… continue reading
Feeling Ignored? Blame Email
If you have sent an important email message in the last 10 days and not gotten any response, this post is for you. I want you to know that: 1. Your web designer does care about you and your site, but— 2. Your friend is… continue reading
For Whom? Who Says?
Last night I flew home from teaching in South Carolina, and this morning I had an email from one of my new Carolina friends: "I just thought of a question about something we didn’t cover: when to use who vs. whom. . . . Any… continue reading