Writing Effectively

Dr. Stephen A. LeMayAssociate Professor of Marketing

Dalton State College

Introduction• Write clearly• Maintain relationships

Step 1

•Have something to say

Step 2

•Say it clearly

Step 3

•Acknowledge the relationships

Step 4

•Solve the common problems

#1: Omit needless words.

Needless Verbs

Do a study of the effectsHave a tendency to Is indicative ofMake changes inMake progress towardServe to make reductions

Needless Articles and Prepositions

The making of clothThe manufacture of steelSeveral of the clients

Needless categories

Field ofAmount of Area of Character ofNature of Number of

#2: Use the Active Voice

#3: Use Subheadings

#4: Use short paragraphs

#5: Use simple language, but suit your audience

Persuasive Message: Plan Before You Write

• Know your idea

• Know your audience

• Know what you wish your audience to do

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Types of Persuasion

Logic: facts and statisticsEthos: information or

association that gives credibility

Pathos: emotional appeal

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Inductive Outline Used in Persuasive Messages

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Presenting and Interpreting Factual Evidence

• Don’t just say it, show it

• Be objective

• Don’t exaggerate

• Omit subjective claims

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Elements of Ethical Persuasion

• Tell what you do• Give concrete data for your

claims• Put comparisons in context • Keep your audience in mind

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Motivating Action

• Make the action clear and simple to do

• Restate what the action will do• Give an incentive for quick action• Ask confidently for action

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Types of Persuasive MessagesClaims

Favors

Requests for information

Changes in an Organization

Unsolicited sales messages

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More information available

A Plain English Handbook

www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf

Grammar and more

grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm

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