The Elements of Business Writing: A Guide to Writing Clear, Concise Letters, Memos, Reports, Proposals, and Other Business Documents (Elements of Series) (Paperback)

by Gary Blake (Author), Robert W. Bly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Anyone who has ever had to write any business document, from interoffice memo to fifty-page proposal, will find this the single most effective tool for producing clear, concise, and persuasive prose. Equally useful to executives and support staff, it shows how to write clearly and powerfully, organize material and avoid errors and jargon.

From the Back Cover
From an interoffice memo to a fifty-page proposal, this is the definitive guide to business writing. Anyone who has ever had to write any business document will find "The Elements of Business Writing" the single most effective tool for producing clear, concise, and persuasive prose. Equally useful to executives and support staff, it shows how to: write clearly and powerfully; rid writing of jargon and pompous language; organize material effectively; and avoid errors in spelling, grammar, and usage. (paper)

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 1st edition (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020080956
• ISBN-13: 978-0020080954
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable writing guide, February 20, 2004

By	Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Remarkably concise and informative, The Elements of Business Writing: A Guide to Writing Clear, Concise Letters, Memos, Reports, Proposals, and Other Business Documents by Gary Blake and Robert W. Bly is more than just a tool for business people. Taking a common sensical approach, as opposed to a lofty educated tone, Messrs. Blake and Bly do not restrict themselves to business writing, in spite of the title. For the most part, The Elements of Business Writing is a valuable writing guide for just about all forms of writing. The book is strong on: knowing your audience; clarity; precision; and persuasion. When you think about those four elements, you're thinking about effective communication in general. This is something everyone--not just business people--can use in their daily lives.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful, April 25, 2001

By A Customer

If you write letters, emails, business proposals or marketing plans, this book will be useful to you. It is very easy to follow. The book offers a number of suggestions for writing clearly and with style, and explains each point in detail. I used this book for a graduate level class, but it would be useful to anyone!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One the best guides for business writers, March 15, 2005

By	Dr. Kenneth W. Davis (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book, with an obvious nod to Strunk and White (which it surpasses), lists 67 principles of good writing, with about two pages each of details and examples. It's on the short list of recommended resources in my book The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing and Communication.