Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
A complete sentence requires a subject and a verb (action): “I laughed.”
“I” is the subject. “Laughed” is the verb. But two-word sentences don’t always cut it in writing. So that’s when we add the third component — the object, as in: The boy kicked the ball.
“The boy” is our ...
Posted in Business Writing | No Comments »
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
I conduct an e-mail-based business writing course and also teach a similar continuing education business writing course for the University of Toronto. I recently received the e-mail below from a student in the course, which she agreed to allow me to share (with personal and company information removed). As you ...
Posted in Business Writing, Freelance Writing - General | 2 Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Review by Christine Bergsma
Harness the Business Writing Process by Paul Lima is an excellent book for anyone looking to improve his or her writing skills within the business environment.
This is not a book on grammar, as stated within the book, but a book about how to write. It is ...
Posted in Business Writing | 1 Comment »
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Before your write any document, outline all the points you want to address, in the order you should address them. Then write from point to point to point... until you are done. By starting with an outline, you will become a more effective writer. You will also become a more ...
Posted in Business Training, Business Writing | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
I have taken my recent Business Author Show interview and converted it into a two-part video podcast. Although my Harness the Business Writing Process book is mentioned in the interview, the podcast is more like a mini business writing webinar covering topics such as the writing process, writing email, writing ...
Posted in Business Training, Business Writing, My Books | No Comments »
Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Attention, interest, attitude, action. No matter what you are writing, it is your job to AIAA.
Attention: Capture the attention of your reader
Interest: Hold the interest of your reader by demonstrating how you will meet any expectations
Attitude: Change or influence your reader’s attitude; even if your reader is predisposed to being ...
Posted in Freelance Writing - General, My Books | No Comments »
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Modified excerpt from Harness The Business Writing Process.
Below, there are a couple of outline examples. The first is a major topic outline on the subject of creating outlines. it lists two points one would address if writing about (or speaking about) creating outlines. The second is a more detailed outline ...
Posted in Business Writing | 3 Comments »
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Excerpt from Harness The Business Writing Process.
Why create an outline before you write? What’s the alternative? Simply trying to fill the blank page with sentences and paragraphs that will make sense to your audience and help you achieve your purpose? Guess what happens when you try to do that?
Your brain ...
Posted in Business Writing | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 11th, 2009
At the end of a blog post on "Communication process: follow it to be an effective writer," I wrote the following:
And if you think asking for a reply ASAP is an effective way to close the communication loop, think again! We'll explore why it is not in an upcoming blog ...
Posted in Business Writing | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
If you want to write, you have to overcome your internal critic...
My internal critic is Mr. C, my grade five teacher. Mr. C took his task of teaching me perfect spelling and grammar seriously by wielding his red marker like the sword of Zorro, forcefully cutting huge red gashes across ...
Posted in Business Writing, My Books | No Comments »
