Professional Writing Skills [Paperback]

Janis Fisher Chan (Author), Diane Lutovich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

This book is essential for anyone who needs to write clear, concise letters, memos, reports, proposals or other business documents. A complete self-study program in a handy workbook format, it provides the same practical techniques and strategies Advanced Communication Designs instructors have taught to business and professional people since 1980. PROFESSIONAL WRITING SKILLS includes techniques for getting started, conveying the main point clearly, selecting and organizing information, using the right tone, using active, jargon-free language, and eliminating unnecessary words. Filled with practice exercises with immediate feedback, the book can be used for self-study or as the text for a class.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Professional Writing Skills is one of the most helpful business writing tools [I've] ever found. After years of struggling to write clear, concise letters and reports, and after taking too many courses to count, I found a program that actually taught me how to write....the process makes it easy to organize ideas and information into a logical sequence. The practice exercises are great, too. I learned techniques almost without effort. [I've also] used the book to tutor staff members who were interested in improving their writing skills." -- Creative Training Techniques

"What a great program! By the time I'd finished the first lesson, I could feel my confidence increase and see the improvement in my writing--and the exercises made learning fun." -- Training Manager, Bank of America

From the Publisher

Are you a trainer or facilitator? You can use Professional Writing Skills as the text for workshops or self-directed learning programs. Visit our Web site for training guidelines and a description of our comprehensive Professional Writing Skills facilitator's guide.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: Advanced Communication Designs; 2nd edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963745549
• ISBN-13: 978-0963745545
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessary resource, May 3, 2000

By 

Grant Writer (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Writing Skills (Paperback)

I found Professional Writing Skills to be the perfect way to learn the skills necessary to write business letters, memos and emails. I was particularly pleased with the way it breaks down the writing process into easy-to-follow steps. By following these steps I have no trouble getting started and figuring out exactly what I want to say. I found the practice exercises helped reinforce each concept so by the end of the program, I was able to write clearly and forcefully and with confidence. Thanks to the book and the very helpful WRITING WORKSHEET included with the book, I am finally free of writer's block and writer's anxiety.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone in business!, December 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Professional Writing Skills (Paperback)

Professional Writing Skills jump-started my career! A new manager said that one reason she chose me out of a very competitive field of candidates was that I was the only one who could write a persuasive letter. The most important thing I learned from this wonderful book was how to decide exactly what I wanted to say-and then say it, without beating around the bush. I also love the way this book reinforces something I've always believed, that fancy words only make you sound as if you don't know what you're talking about. Now I use simple, clear, everyday language to get my point across. Thanks, Advanced Communication Designs. Let me know if I can do something for you.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Trained Thought, July 14, 2003

By 

Asha (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Writing Skills (Paperback)

Professional Writing Skills is a step-by-step self-paced training program to improve business and professional writing skills. It trains you to organize your unclear thoughts and to arrange information in logical units. It guides you to develop your thoughts into a writing plan, and to compose a clear and effective writing plan. The book has numerous exercises. Let that not scare you! Only when you solve the exercises will you realize the common errors that you commit in business and professional writing.

Janis Fisher Chan and Diane Lutovich have trained people in business and professional writing skills. They are an integral part of Advanced Communication Designs, Inc., a training company that specializes in customized training courses in business and technical writing. They have also authored, "Grammar for Grownups", "Writing Performance Documentation", and "How to Write Reports and Proposals".

Business writing is unique by its content, style and purpose. It may include letters and reports to the clients, memos to the employees, request for information, product descriptions and so on. The authors warn, "Errors in grammar, or spelling conveys negative image of the company." Imagine the devastating effects of an incomplete report, misunderstood memo, or confusing information?

The book is neatly divided into six lessons. Each lesson begins with an introduction, an objective and what you need section. The core of each lesson discusses errors in professional writing by quoting a few examples. The authors provide easy to understand and implement guidelines to improve quality of professional writing. At the end of each lesson, extensive practice exercises and writing assignments are furnished.

The first training lesson educates you about effects of unclear communication caused due to ignoring the needs and interests of the audience. You need to decide whether you want to influence or inform the audience. The authors advise, "One of the most important steps you can take to increase the chances of readers getting your message is to look at what you're writing from the reader's point of view." A key sentence that expresses your most important message should be incorporated.

The next lesson teaches you to select the information and to organize them logically. Prepare a list of facts and ideas to accomplish the purpose for writing, and group them into key points. A summary sentence for each key point should be written effectively. The lesson also includes guidelines for composing clear and effective email messages.

In the third lesson, the authors guide you to write the first draft. Reviewing and revising your writing plan to overcome inconsistencies, and eliminating unnecessary information are discussed. An effective opening, simple and direct language always attracts the audience. Above all, writing becomes more readable when thoughts are connected.

The fourth lesson emphasizes on using language that communicates clearly and accurately. Pompous words and phrases, and jargons do not impress the audience. Hence, there is a need to use plain English. The authors opine, "The more precise and specific your language, the more information you give to readers and the easier it is for them to understand your message."

Further, the fifth lesson discusses the need to eliminate unnecessary words that slows down reading, and makes writing tedious and boring. The last lesson speaks about the importance of using correct sentence structures, punctuations and grammar. The authors suggest, "As a general rule, keep the average length of your sentences to 17-24 words, with only one or two thoughts per sentence. If you are using technical or unusual terms, drop the count to 15-18 words." Usually, a long sentence is difficult to comprehend.

Communication is a two-way channel. The receiver should receive and understand the message conveyed. It is important to write to suit needs and interests of the audience. The language for communication should be direct, jargon-free, plain and simple. It is also necessary to be able to organize tangled thoughts into clear logical units. On completing the book, I realized that I had improved my professional writing skills.

I recommend you work out the practice exercises and writing assignments at the end of each lesson. It reflects your weaknesses and highlights your strengths in business or professional writing. It increases your confidence in developing and writing any document - business or casual, formal or informal. Remember the saying, "Practice makes you perfect."

In all, this self-paced training program was fun!