【正文】 ___________________ _______________________________________________________________ A copy of the purchase receipt must be stapled to the time and expenses report before forwarding to Accounting. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ The draft of the client proposal is attached for your review and its return by March 15 would be greatly appreciated. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ a. b. c. 1. Rewrite these sentences so they are active and direct. Writing Well: Exercise 47 municationbasics Recently, we looked at a place that might work for the client. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ There is a lot to cover in the meeting today, so leave time in your schedule. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ The presentation was a disaster. We’re toast. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ a. b. c. 2. Rewrite the sentences below so that they are precise. Use your imagination to provide details. Writing Well: Exercise 48 municationbasics Writing Well: Exercise 3. Sometimes the words below on the left may be appropriate. More often, however, simpler, plain English would be more effective. List simpler, more direct alternatives in the space to the right. Prior to Subsequent to Implement Utilize Supplemental 49 municationbasics 1. Active and direct a. The client’s task force is running the focus group. b. Staple a copy of the purchase receipt to the time and expense report before forwarding it to Accounting. c. Please review this proposal draft and return it by March 15. Thanks. 2. Precise a. Last week, we found a location that could save the client $6,300 in leasing costs. b. We’ll be outlining responsibilities for the regional conference at the meeting this afternoon, so plan on at least two hours. c. The client pletely disagreed with our reasoning in the presentation. We need to talk with Carla and Jack immediately if we want to keep this account. Writing Well: Answers (1 of 2) 50 municationbasics Writing Well: Answers (2 of 2) Plain English Prior to Before Subsequent to After, following Implement Start, begin Utilize Use Supplemental Extra 3. Fussy English 51 municationbasics 1. Open with a description of subject and purpose 2. State key points first 3. Elaborate on key points –provide information, data, analysis –provide only what is relevant ? separate out supporting data use as backup 4. Clearly state desired action 5. End with offer of additional help, if needed Clearly convey the munication’s function. Source: Janis Chan and Diane Lutovitch, Professional Writing Skills (San Anselmo, CA: Advanced Communication Designs, Inc., 1991) Letters and Memos 52 municationbasics To: All Staff From: Steven Tallman, Worldwide Director of Training Date: March 15, 1998 RE: Bain Virtual University I am pleased to announce an exciting new training resource available to all Bain employees: Bain Virtual University, or BVU. BVU is an online, interactive education source. It offers training courses you can access individually and at your own pace. Some of the courses available right now are: Bain Math Presentation Delivery Client Skills Telephone Interviewing Communication Styles You can access BVU 24 hours a day through the BRAVA system. We encourage you to try BVU as soon as possible. Then, let us know what you think. If you need help or would like to send ments, us at or phone , ext. 3904. We look forward to hearing from you. Subject and Purpose Key Point Elaboration Desired Action Desired Action Sample Memo 53 municationbasics ?Objectives of munication ?Planning your message ?Developing your message ?Delivering your message: speaking ?Delivering your message: writing ?Key takeaways ?Additional resources Agenda 54 municationbasics Source: Bain Presentation Skills Workshop ?The objective of munication written and oral is to enable your target audience to understand what you intend. ?Design your munication to be: –precise, succinct, and prehensive –honest, accurate, and logical –timely and relevant –expressed with conviction ?Before crafting your message, identify your objective, based on your understanding of your audience’s needs ?Perform robust audience analysis ?To make munication authentic, determine your own level of mitment to your message ?Use structure (usually AnswerFirst) and words that make your message –logical –clear, prehensive, concise –pelling and memorable Key Takeaways 55 municationbasics ?Objectives of munication ?Planning your message ?Developing your message ?Delivering your message: speaking ?Delivering your message: writing ?Key takeaways ?Additional resources Agenda 56 municationbasics If you would like to develop your munication skills: ?Contact Human Resources and Training for internal and external training opportunities ?Contact Training to sign up for a presentation skills coaching ?Remended Reading: –Barbara Minto, The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking (London: Pitman Publishing,1987) –Terry Pearce, Leading Out Loud: The Authentic Speaker, the Credible Leader (San Francisco: JosseyBass, 1995) –Janis Fisher Chan and Diane Lutovich, Professional Writing Skills (San Anselmo:Advanced Communicati