Writing That Works: How to Write Memos, Letters, Reports, Speeches, Resumes, Plans

by Joel Raphaelson and Kenneth Roman

Book Overview

Writing That Works is a concise, practical guide to the principles of effective writing. In this revised and updated edition, Roman and Raphaelson reveal how to improve memos, letters, reports, speeches, resumes, plans, and other business papers. Learn how to say what you want to say with less difficulty and more confidence.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060148438
• ISBN13: 9780060148430
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 105 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Something Like Elements of Style for MBAs

This 105-page jewel by two seasoned advertising executives is something like Elements of Style, but aimed mostly at someone writing for business purposes (e.g., one of the ten chapters is "How to get people to send you money". There is a useful afterword describing a dozen more books to help you write better. Recommended as a good starting point for any business person wanting to write more effectively.

Keep this one on your desk - it works!

In business, the adage holds - it's not always what you say but how you say it that counts. Writing That Works provides clear examples of how to write and communicate effectively and efficiently. This edition includes excellent tips on writing and controlling e-mail. Kudos to the author on his common sense advice to technical writers such as writing "like you talk" and skipping the latest business jargon. I keep this book on my desk as a reference guide and highly recommend this text to anyone in business, especially to those on my team!

A Communications Handbook for Managers

If Strunk and White had gone to business school, this is the book they would have written. It's an antidote to the interminable memo, the pointless presentation, and the endless e-mail.

An invaluable aid throughout one's business career

Communicating the `right' way is fundamental to business success. Writing That Works offers readers several `right' ways to written communications. It is different from other guides in several ways:- It keeps current with times- It is clear, concise and informative- It addresses a broad group of business readers-students to CEOs- It is practical and easy to apply.Like a good mentor, this book will be an invaluable aid throughout one's business career.

I don't want my competitors to read this book

This was a terrific book which I would recommend to all of my clients, colleagues and friends -- but not to my competitors. It gives too many good ideas on how to get your message across effectively, succinctly and clearly. The style is particularly effective -- bullet points with examples and real world examples of how to write more effectively.As a securities analyst following technology companies, I am in a very writing-intensive business, where I need to get my point across as effectively as possible in as few words as possible. At another level, I am alarmed by the caliber of writing that I see from people who we recruit -- people from major universities and graduate schools -- who are unable to write effectively. This book will be a useful tool for them -- better late than never.