Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Place key words in power positions (3)
Jujy 5, 2007
Place your key action in the main verb.
Condense
weak verb phrases such as "make an alteration" and "afford
an opportunity" to strong one-word verbs like "alter"
and "allow."
Instead of
come to a conclusion
-
conclude.
Instead of
give assistance -
assist.
Instead of
make a recommendation
-
recommend.
Now it's time to test your own writing. In a
document you wrote recently, can you
find three to five places to reposition key words? Ensure that:
- key ideas
are in subject positions.
- key actions
are in the main verb.
Next week we'll start reviewing how to use
active and passive voice appropriately.
This edition was adapted from our Effective
Business Writing Program. Previous editions
may be read at
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
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