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f you work in human resources, you must often send memos and e-mails, create reports or PowerPoint presentations. Naturally, you want to make these writings as effective and powerful as possible. But how exactly do you go about doing that?

David Silverman, a former businessman and current business writing professor, has some advice on the topic.

First, he says, good writing contains a call to action. The purpose of business writing – good business writing, that is – is to get the recipient to do something – solve a problem, create a strategy, analyze or evaluate something. If your e-mail does not ask the recipient to do anything, why send it, Silverman asks.

His next piece of advice is – get to the point right away. The first line in your writing should explain what it is about and why you are sending it. You don’t want to create any mystery or suspense. What is the bottom line? Figure out what you want to say, and then say it. Don’t waste time with linguistic throat clearing.

His next piece of advice is not to assume anything. Often when we write we leave gaps in our explanations or in our assumptions because they seem obvious to us. Well, they may not be so obvious to the reader. Does the reader need to know that a certain project won’t work out if something else is not done, or that if a certain company goes under it will affect your firm? You need to fill in the gaps. One popular writing text suggests you imagine your reader peering over your shoulder as you write, asking you questions about what things mean. Do that, and then answer your reader’s questions.

If you then follow up on your original writing, don’t just assume everybody remembers what you originally wrote about. Fill them in again if necessary, Silverman says. If you are not sure everyone will understand the meaning of an acronym, explain it.

Another thing you need to be clear about, Silverman says, is exactly what your opinions are on the subject at hand, and what you want your reader to focus on. Your writing should give the reader options that he or she can respond to, Silverman says, instead of trying to make them read your mind.

Speaking of a “call to action”: if you need great workers for temporary, temp-to-hire or even direct-hire assignments in your Manhattan-area company, contact Winston Resources. We can fill your open positions with great people quickly and affordably. Contact us today!


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