Writing Tips for Managers

Preview:

DESCRIPTION

Explores general writing strategies that managers/supervisors need to handle letters, performance reviews, job descriptions, and reports. Approaches content as a result of choices that follow guidelines (rather than rules).

Citation preview

The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida

Writing Tips for ManagersFacilitated by Chris Friend

Introductions

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Name

Job Title

Years of Service

Role in the County

Types of Workplace Writing

Biggest Writing Challenge

Today’s Agenda

Image courtesy .reid. on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

What Does Writing Look Like?

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Business Letters

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Letters: Positive Response

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Letters: Negative Response

Letters: Complaints

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Letters: Congratulations

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

RecommendationLetters

Image courtesy wynner3 on Flickr, CC BY NC 2.0

Welcome LettersImage courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Letters: Persuasive

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Other DocumentsImage courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Job Descriptions

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

PerformanceEvaluations

Business Reports

Frequently Confused Words

Image courtesy Anirudh Koul on Flickr,CC BY-NC 2.0

Frequently Confused Words

advice

advise

a suggestion (it’s a thing)I need advice on buying ice.

to help guide (it’s an action)You are wise. Can you advise?

Frequently Confused Words

affect

effect

to influence (it’s an action)Will this affect our community?

a result (it’s a thing)What effect will this have on us?

Frequently Confused Words

allot

a lot

alot

to distributeOur team was allotted two hours.

more than a littleOrlando has a lot of traffic.

not a word

Frequently Confused Words

fewer

less

smaller number (countable items)I got fewer emails today!

smaller amount (uncountable ideas)There is less water in that puddle.

Frequently Confused Words

further

farther

degreeI want to go further with my career.

distanceTampa is farther away than Ocala.

Frequently Confused Words

it’s

its

contraction: “it is”I think it’s too hot outside.

possession: belonging to itFlorida is known for its sun.

Frequently Confused Words

lose

loose

to misplaceSpelling makes me lose my mind.

not tightThis clamp is so loose it won’t hold.

Frequently Confused Words

passed

pastpast

an actionThe car passed by.

a descriptionThe car went past.

a timeThe trouble is in our past.

Frequently Confused Words

than

then

comparisonI like blue more than green.

timeLet’s chat, then do lunch.

Frequently Confused Words

they’re

their

there

contraction: “they are”Maybe they’re the experts.

possession: belonging to themThey work with their hands.

location: not here (& other uses)Please park over there.

Frequently Confused Words

two

too

to

number: between one and threeI see two paragraphs here.

addition: “also” or excessI see too many paragraphs, too.

all other usesI want to go to Lake Eola.

Frequently Confused Words

well

good

describes action—how it’s doneYou did your job very well.

describes things—tells qualityYou did a very good job.

Frequently Confused Words

you’re

your

contraction: “you are”I think you’re working too much.

possession: belonging to youIs that your winning Lotto ticket?

WritingStrategies

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Trim Your Words

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

ReadingLevel

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Reduction Example

How to Write Effectively: The task of developing clear and concise writing is not a difficult one. You simply determine what is the best way that you can present your subject. Then write it for the potential audience the very simplest way.

Reduction Example

To write effectively: write simply.

How to Write Effectively: The task of developing clear and concise writing is not a difficult one. You simply determine what is the best way that you can present your subject. Then write it for the potential audience the very simplyst way.

to Write Effectively:

write

write

simply

The Essence268 words

73% are one syllable

20 words ≥ 3 syllables

10 sentences© 2008 Mort Künstler

Thank you.Writing Tips for ManagersFacilitated by Chris Friend