Business Communication Essentials, 7th Ed.
Chapter 4. Writing Business Messages
Barbara Pachter (photo, left) reveals common speaking mistakes even professionals make.
"As writers, editors, and PR professionals, we are keenly aware of having to fight for readers’ attention," declares Laura Hale Brockway (photo, left).
Drake Baer presents the case.
"No matter how unselfish you are, you probably still find yourself trying to influence people to do the things you want them to do.
"So, you've decided to move on.
"Brands are trying their hardest to rewire the way you speak--renaming products, what we call ourselves at work, and even how we think about ourselves as customers.
"To explore the psyche of a people, do not look at what they do – look at what they do wrong.
Jeff Haden gives fair warning about word traps.
"Can you diagnose a company's problems by the way it abuses the English language?
Can you guess what's on the list?
The original resource is no longer available.
Advertisers spend nearly $2 billion a year marketing food to children and teenagers; this in-depth report by the FTC looks at how that money is spent.
"John ate a slice of pepperoni pizza, and drank a bottle of beer.
"Fast Company recently attacked the use of "so" at the start of sentences, claiming it insults your audience, undermines your credibility, and demonstrates discomfort with the subject matter," reports Christina Sterbenz.
"Social media offers the potential for educators and institutions to develop how they engage with students and other stakeholders and offer new services.
"You would think every company would prefer to communicate in a way that connects with the audience," writes Lou Hoffman (photo, left).
Sarah Green interviews Bryan Garner in this podcast at HBR Blog.
Christina Sterbenz (photo, left) covers the issue at BusinessInsider.
'Word meanings can shift radically, just like pronunciation,' writes Christina Sterbenz.
"The following is an excerpt from The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead [Crown Business, $17.
"Each of the wordy phrases below can be replaced by one word.
"Fundamentally, poor business writing is costly and leads to disastrous events.
Claire Fallon (photo, left) covers the topic in a piece at HuffingtonPost.
"There is an old adage: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
"Why should we avoid well-worn phrases and clichés?