HBR Guide to Better Business Writing - Bryan A. Garner 2013

HBR Guide to Better Business Writing - Bryan A. Garner 2013

Introduction: Why you need to write well

Delivering the goods quickly and clearly

Know why you’re writing

Understand your readers

Divide the writing process into four separate tasks

Before writing in earnest, jot down your three main points— in complete sentences

Write in full—rapidly

Improve what you’ve written

Use graphics to illustrate and clarify

Developing your skills

Be relentlessly clear

Learn to summarize— accurately

Waste no words

Be plain-spoken: Avoid bizspeak

Use chronology when giving a factual account

Be a stickler for continuity

Learn the basics of correct grammar

Get feedback on your drafts from colleagues

Avoiding the quirks that turn readers off

Don’t anesthetize your readers

Watch your tone

Common forms of business writing

E-mails

Business letters

Memos and reports

Performance appraisals

A checklist for the four stages of writing

A dozen grammatical rules you absolutely need to know

A dozen punctuation rules you absolutely need to know

Common usage gaffes

Some dos and don’ts of business-writing etiquette

A primer of good usage