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Use your browser's Find function to look for tips that apply to your particular situation.
Tools to help you include Bull's Eye Business Writing (a
self-paced workbook) and How To Improve Your Business Reading Skills (also on
CD-ROM)--all from Basic Learning Systems, Inc. 888-204-3600 * See our Web
site at http://www.basic-learning.com
| Tip #141: Some words have more than one correct spelling.
These forms, which are equally acceptable, are separated in the dictionary by a comma or the word "or." Some examples are: "judgment" or "judgement" "catalog," or "catalogue." British spellings are often given after the American spelling and are also set off by a comma: "theater," theatre" "connection," "connexion" "favor," "favour." ********************************************************* See how many misspelled words you can find in the following: 1. He inadvertantly misspelled "rarefy" on the questionaire. 2. Mary served as liaison to the ajutant. 3. Betty was exilerated when she achieved her gaols. ********************************************************* This was last week's exercise: Choose the correct verb: 1. He said his manager, whom we just met, (is, was) of German parentage. 2. What (is, was) the name of the salesperson who just left? 3. His secretary has misplaced the letter that Mr. Smith (dictates, dictated). 4. She has not mailed the letter she (writes, wrote). These are the answers: 5. He said his manager, whom we just met, is of German parentage. 6. What is the name of the salesperson who just left? 7. His secretary has misplaced the letter that Mr. Smith dictated. 8. She has not mailed the letter she wrote. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 142: To make your sentences sound clear and direct,
express crucial actions as verbs. Here are examples of two sentences. Notice how the nouns in the first sentence are changed to verbs in the second sentence. Change: The court made a decision to conduct a review of the matter. Better: The court decided to review the matter. ********************************************************* Make the same changes to the following sentences: 1. There was a modification of the program by the task force. 2. Compliance with the provision is mandatory on the part of the employer. ********************************************************* This was last week's exercise: See how many misspelled words you can find in the following: 1. He inadvertently misspelled "rarefy" on the questionnaire. 2. Mary served as liaison to the adjutant. 3. Betty was exhilarated when she achieved her goals. Here are the answers: 1. inadvertently, questionnaire 2. adjutant 3. exhilarated, goals If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 143: Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject.
For example: "He had "himself" to blame," or "I timed 'myself' in the reading test." The same form is sometimes used as an intensive pronoun to make another word more emphatic. For example: The announcement was made by the president "himself." Unfortunately, writers mistakenly consider "myself" to be more polite than "I" or "me." In standard English the reflexive forms are not used as substitutes for "I" or "me." Incorrect: Ms. Smith and myself attended the meeting. Correct: Ms. Smith and I attended the meeting. Incorrect: The project was completed by Harry and myself. Correct: The project was completed by Harry and me. ********************************************************* Select the correct pronoun in each of the sentences: 1. From (who, whom) will we receive our instructions? 2. The Director of Training assigned the project to Mary and (I, me). 3. James, Harry and (I, myself) were assigned to update the survey. ********************************************************* This was last week's exercise: Make the same changes to the following sentences: 1. There was a modification of the program by the task force. 2. Compliance with the provision is mandatory on the part of the employer. These are my suggested changes: 1. The task force modified the program. 2. The employer must comply with the provision. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 144: Writing business plans: This week I will give you the elements and organization of writing a business plan. I found good information in an online article by Roger Kramer, owner of Alpha Services (alpha services.com). 1. Executive Summary: Give a concise summary of your company's products, services, and future outlook. 2. Table Of Contents: This helps the reader find specific information. 3. The Company: Tell what the company does and include detailed information about how it got started, what its goals are, who the major players are, what profits it has and hopes to have, etc. 4. Products and Services: Write a detailed account of what your business will be providing to its customers. 5. Production: Describe the materials needed to produce your product 6. Marketing: Write a detailed marketing agenda including what and how your product or service will be advertised. 7. Competition: Tell who your competition is and how your company will overcome this challenge. 8. Obstacles: Describe any other challenges you anticipate and how you will overcome these obstacles. 9. Finances: Give anticipated set-up and daily operating costs. 10. Milestones: This is the future time line of your business. These are the basic elements of building your business plan. Begin by making a rough outline for each section and then build to a finished product. ********************************************************* I received a request for information about the addressing and signing of a letter. Your exercise will be to answer this person's requests: 1. How do you do the heading when someone signs a letter as a family, example: Mary, Rose, and Joe Valdero? Mary is the elder daughter and Rose and Joe are the parents of Mary. 2. How do you write the salutation? For example: Dear Mr. Valdero, Mrs. Valdero and Ms. Valdero or Dear Mr. & Mrs. Joe Valdero and Ms. Mary Valdero. ********************************************************* Answers to last week's exercise were: 1. Whom; 2. Me; 3. I. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #146: When writing an ad or sales letter, consider the connotation or psychological implications of the words and phrases you use. The word "workshop" sounds like hard work while "seminar" sounds easier. "Read" sounds hard while "look" over sounds easy. "Write" sounds difficult while "jot down" sounds easy. (Adapted from The AMA Complete Guide to Small Business Advertising by Joe Vitale). ********************************************************* Here are some practice exercises sent in by my readers. Please correct the following sentences: 1. Your present position offers a challenge and is very exciting. 2. Everyone agrees that Sally is a charming woman; charming and very intelligent, also. 3. Were you in school during the 70s? 4. Larry and (I, myself) are hoping to see you again. 5. Few well-known business make a profit. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 147: Data vs. Datum--which word should you use?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, you can use "data" in formal usage. Although technically plural, some dictionaries say "data" may be used as a singular noun. For example: These data are inconclusive. This data is inconclusive. ********************************************************* Please correct the misused word in each sentence: 1. The continued recovery from injuries is coming at a fortuitous time for the Dolphins, who play the Jets next week. 2. The boss called Harry, Jane, and I to his enormous office. 3. Laurie had an ingenuous solution to our problem. ********************************************************* This was last week's exercise: 1. Your present position offers a challenge and is very exciting. 2. Everyone agrees that Sally is a charming woman; charming and very intelligent, also. 3. Were you in school during the 70s? 4. Larry and (I, myself) are hoping to see you again. 5. Few well-known business make a profit. Here are the corrections: 1. Your present position offers a challenge and excitement. This is another version that can be used: Your present position is challenging and exciting. 2. Everyone agrees that Sally is a charming and intelligent woman. 3. Were you in school during the '70s? 4. Larry and I are hoping to see you again. 5. Few well-known businesses make a profit. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #148: If you have to decide what words to cut in a long sentence, choose the ones that are less precise and repetitious. (Adapted from author Richard Lauchman, AMACOM). Too wordy: A more thoughtful and considered ranking and ordering of our long-term goals is both necessary and essential. Better: A more thoughtful ranking of our long-term goals is essential. ********************************************************* Try rewriting the following sentences: 1. The defendant contends and attests that he was not present but elsewhere at the time when the crime was committed. 2. The CEO asks and requests that we evaluate and assess the potential impact and effect of the information before distributing or promulgating it. ********************************************************* Here is last week's practice exercise: Please correct the misused word in each sentence: 1. The continued recovery from injuries is coming at a fortuitous time for the Dolphins, who play the Jets next week. 2. The boss called Harry, Jane, and I to his enormous office. 3. Laurie had an ingenuous solution to our problem. Here are the corrections: 1. The continued recovery from injuries is coming at a fortunate time for the Dolphins, who play the Jets next week. ("fortuitous" means happening by change or accident; "fortunate" means lucky or favorable). 2. The boss called Harry, Jane and me to his enormous office. ( use the objective case "me" rather than subjective case "I". 3. Laurie had an ingenious solution to our problem. ("ingenuous" means naïve or innocent; "ingenious" means clever or inventive. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #149: Amount vs. Number: There is confusion between
the categories of words relating to amount and number. "Amount" words relate to quantities of things that are measured in bulk; "number" relates to things that can be counted. Example: We can count the number of words, but we cannot count the amount of space we take up. Use this handy guide to help you distinguish between the categories of words: Amount Number Quantity Number Little Few Less Fewer Much Many Example: You can eat fewer cookies, but you drink less milk. If the thing being measured is being considered in countable units, then use "number" words. The most common mistake is to refer to an "amount" of people instead of a "number" of people. Just to confuse things, "more " can be used either way: you can eat more cookies and drink more milk. (This information was inspired by "Common Errors in English" by Professor Paul Brians, Washington State University) ********************************************************* Try using this week's tip by using the words "amount" and "number" correctly: 1. A large (amount, number) of lumber was delivered to the construction site. 2. A large (amount, number) of questions were asked by the employees. 3. A large ( amount, number) of managers attended the meeting. ********************************************************* Here was last week's exercise. Try rewriting the following sentences: 1. The defendant contends and attests that he was not present but elsewhere at the time when the crime was committed. 2. The CEO asks and requests that we evaluate and assess the potential impact and effect of the information before distributing or promulgating it. Suggested rewrites to the practice exercise: 1. The defendant contends that he was elsewhere when the crime was committed. 2. The CEO asks that we assess the potential impact of the information before distributing it. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip # 150: Send messages that grab your audience's attention.
Which sign is more effective: "Human Resource Meeting" or "Are You Having Trouble Meeting Senior-Level HR Executives Face-to-Face"? Before you distribute a memo or e-mail message to your employees, make sure you are telling them something that not only provides information, but something that will grab their attention. (Adapted from The Joy of Thinking Big by Ernie Zelinski) ********************************************************* What's wrong with the following sentences? Please rewrite them: 1. The odor from the gas leak hung heavily in the air. (Be careful with the meaning of "hung" in this sentence). 2. Stand firmly where you are. 3. We must stay alertly while driving. ********************************************************* This was last week's exercise. Try using this week's tip by using the words "amount" and "number" correctly: 1. A large (amount, number) of lumber was delivered to the construction site. 2. A large (amount, number) of questions were asked by the employees. 3. A large (amount, number) of managers attended the meeting. These are the corrected sentences: 1. A large amount of lumber was delivered to the construction site. 2. A large number of questions were asked by the employees. 3. A large number of managers attended the meeting. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
Writing for Trade Publications | Active Voice | http://www.atozwriting.com
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