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Words that Promote You
Put your best foot forward in all business communications by using powerful words that quickly articulate your message. Whether preparing resumes, letters, presentations, or reports, choose clear and concise words that will capture your reader's interest. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Convert your text from the passive voice to active voice. You'll use fewer words, produce text that is forceful and direct, and help readers understand your purpose.
2. Avoid redundant use of words as they make your content boring. Circumvent this pitfall by using a synonym dictionary or thesaurus to locate different words with the same meaning.
3. Select words that connote achievement. Try using words such as: restructured, reorganized, transformed, revitalized, revamped, pioneered, introduced, launched, originated, or spearheaded.
4. Writing is never a one-shot process. Effective writing comprises writing, editing, re-writing, editing, and re-writing. Take the time to work through the writing steps and do it right.
5. Use every opportunity to expand your vocabulary. Access a dictionary frequently, looking up unfamiliar words.
6. We develop skills through practice. Take every opportunity to practice your writing through letters, electronic mail, articles, reports, and presentations. The more often you write, the better your content.
7. The best way to be a good writer is to be a reader. Read as often as possible and select diverse reading materials such as: newspapers, magazines, professional and technical journals, fiction and non-fiction books, and online text.
8. Make a New Year's resolution to be a better writer in 2001.
Happy holidays!