Can Do Writing
The Proven Ten-Step System for Fast and Effective Business Writing
Published on 19. April 2010
256 pages
978-0-470-47004-6 (ISBN)
Description
A simple, ten-step system for mastering the art of effective,persuasive business or technical writing
"The Grahams' system is the best way to transform data and ideasinto meaningful information necessary to make profitable decisions.Their system works every time."
--Steven Laposa, PhD, MBA, Loveland Commercial Endowed Chairin Real Estate, Colorado State University
"The Grahams' straightforward program helps my teams createclear and concise reports, letters, and other documents withminimal effort. I want this program to become the standard for myteams."
--Bill Walter, Senior Vice President, Government andInfrastructure Division, KBR
"The Can Do Writing system made my career! I used it towrite a winning business plan and proposal, and now I use it everyday for all communications. Can Do Writing provides valuableinsights into business and management as well as writingtechniques."
--Christian Robey, President, DC Progress
You may be an expert at what you do, but if you can'tcommunicate effectively in writing it may not matter. Forscientists, businesspeople, and professionals in fields fromengineering to public relations, the art of writing well can be avital key to professional success.
Luckily, you don't need an English degree to produce top-classwriting. If you're one of the millions of people who have to writeclear, persuasive, understandable documents for your job, Can DoWriting is for you. Whether you're writing a business plan, ascientific paper, a press release, or anything else, this simple,straightforward guide will show you how to do it quickly, withstyle and confidence. You'll learn how to:
* Understand your audience and subject matter
* Develop a simple, five-part purpose statement to keep you ontrack
* Organize your main points into a coherent, sensible order
* Edit your work for clarity, coherence, organization, andlogic
* Economize your words to craft a concise, powerful document
* Make your documents easily readable for any audience
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Daniel Graham | Judith Graham
Can Do Writing
The Proven Ten-Step System for Fast and Effective Business Writing
Book
04/2009
1st Edition
Wiley
€24.00
Shipment within 10-20 days
Persons
Over the past twenty years, Daniel and Judith Graham have trained more than 70,000 business and technical professionals in this practical writing system. They've helped global corporations and government agencies alike streamline communications while increasing profits. Now you too can learn Can Do Writing's ten clear steps--and put writing to work for you.
Content
Preface.
About the Authors.
Introduction Can Do Writing.
Skillset: Analysis.
Step 1 Analyze Purpose and Audience.
1.1 What Result Do You Want from the Document?
1.2 Who Is the Audience?
1.3 What Does the Audience Do with the Information?
1.4 What Information Does the Audience Need?
1.5 Does the Audience Know Little or Much About theInformation?
1.6 Does the Audience Need Proof?
1.7 Plan How to Write to Multiple Audiences.
Step 2 Write Your Document's Five-Part PurposeStatement.
2.1 Decide the Type of Document or Oral Communication toUse.
2.2 Pick a Verb That Describes What the Document Does.
2.3 Assemble the Five Parts into a Purpose Statement.
2.4 Use the Purpose Statement to Settle Controversies.
Purpose Statements Make History.
Practice Steps 1 and 2 Using a Case Study.
Step 3 Select Facts.
3.1 Use the Purpose Statement As You Select Facts.
Step 4 Organize Your Points in a Sentence Outline.
4.1 Write Your Points Using Short Words in Short Sentences.
4.2 Evaluate Points to Eliminate Irrelevancies andRedundancies.
4.3 Order the Points.
Practice Steps 1 through 4 Using a Case Study.
Skillset: Composing the Draft.
Step 5 Compose the Draft.
5.1 Compose the Draft Body.
5.2 Compose the Draft Conclusion.
5.3 Compose the Draft Introduction.
5.4 If Necessary, Compose the Draft Executive Summary.
5.5 If Necessary, Compose the Draft Abstract.
Skillset: Editing.
Step 6 Review the Draft for Organization and Logic.
6.1 Test Organization by Answering Three Questions.
6.2 Use Sentence Outlining Techniques to ImproveOrganization.
6.3 Test Logic by Answering Five Questions.
Step 7 Edit for Coherence.
7.1 Repeat Key Words throughout Your Document.
7.2 Ensure That Each Paragraph Begins with a Point.
7.3 Use Transition Words.
7.4 Use Vertical Lists for Series of Like Items.
7.5 Ensure Your Graphics Make a Point.
7.6 Apply Visual Devices.
Step 8 Edit for Clarity.
8.1 Use Concrete and Specifi c Words.
8.2 Use Active Voice.
8.3 Simplify Tense: Stay in Present Tense When Possible.
8.4 Avoid the Helping Verbs Would, Should, andCould.
8.5 Identify and Replace Ambiguous Pronouns.
8.6 Use Standard English Words.
8.7 Check Sentences for Misplaced or Dangling Modifi ers.
Step 9 Edit for Economy.
9.1 Cut Useless Verbs.
9.2 Cut Useless Prepositions.
9.3 Cut Who, Which, and That.
9.4 Cut Useless Repetition.
9.5 Cut Redundancy.
9.6 Cut Useless Comments.
9.7 Cut Useless Modifi ers.
Step 10 Edit for Readability.
10.1 Measure Readability Using the Gunning Fog Index.
10.2 Replace Long Words with Short Words.
10.3 Break Long Sentences.
Conclusion Congratulations!
Index.
