Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Checklist for Effective Flow and Format
December 20, 2007
Use this checklist to increase the readability of your documents. Ensure
that:
-
Transitional words connect
ideas logically and improve flow.
-
Generic and topic headings
and subheadings indicate major shifts in subject matter, move the reader
smoothly and economically from one point to the next, and ensure that
action items aren't overlooked.
-
Informative headings
highlight key messages in instructional and persuasive documents.
-
Numbered and bulleted lists
order or group related items.
-
Logically parallel items are
grammatically parallel.
-
Paragraphs separate ideas
and break up long blocks of text.
Next week we will start a series on the
writing process, with an initial focus on a practical, streamlined
approach to planning any business document.
This edition was adapted from our Effective
Business Writing Program. Previous editions
may be read at
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
To receive this free weekly newsletter via e-mail, go to
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/userjoin.cfm and select the newsletter option.
Return now to the Business
Communications Library
|