Writing That Works Book Summary - Writing That Works Book explained in key points
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Writing That Works summary

Kenneth Roman Joel Raphaelson

How To Communicate Effectively In Business

4.1 (82 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

'Writing That Works' by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson is a guidebook for business writing that offers practical tips for improving writing skills and communication. The book covers everything from emails to proposals and can benefit anyone looking to strengthen their communication abilities.

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    Writing That Works
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    The foundations of effective business writing are simplicity and accuracy.

    When it comes to writing, it’s easy to let your prose get overly complicated. But this will make you lose your reader right off the bat. A better approach – and an easy one to implement – is to focus on simplicity and a natural feel.

    Short paragraphs, sentences and words are the name of the game, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing meaning.

    For instance, the Wall Street Journal is famous for its readability, and it never publishes an opening paragraph that exceeds three sentences. So, be like the Wall Street Journal; keep your paragraphs short and replace longer words, like utilize, with shorter ones, like use.

    A natural feel is also essential, which is why you should write like you speak and avoid potentially confusing terms. For example, rather than writing, “the arguments are fivefold,” write “there are five arguments.”

    Natural writing means avoiding jargon and technical language. In fact, the more specialized your language, the greater your chances of creating a misunderstanding. According to Harvard University paleontologist and author, Dr. Gould, young scholars only use convoluted, confusing language in the first place because they’re scared of not being taken seriously.

    That being said, if the reader and writer share a common technical language, some jargon may be appropriate.

    A good rule of thumb for keeping things concise and natural is to replace or remove unnecessary words as you go. As an example, instead of writing, “at this current point in time,” you could just write “now.”

    Doing all of the above will dramatically improve your writing. The next step is to make it as specific and accurate as possible.

    This means avoiding generalizations that require readers to believe you, like “our program drew more new students than ever before.” Instead, use specific claims that eliminate all uncertainty, like “student enrollment tripled to 210.”

    Specifics also decrease exaggeration, which will help you maintain the trust of readers. To stay specific and add energy to your writing, use an active, personal voice whenever possible. For instance, you should write “we recommend,“ as opposed to “it is recommended.”

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    What is Writing That Works about?

    Writing That Works (1981) is the definitive guide to business writing. These blinks are full of advice on how to write clear, compelling and succinct business communications, covering everything from quarterly reports to presentations, emails and even resumes.

    Writing That Works Review

    Writing That Works (2000) is a practical and insightful book that teaches effective writing techniques and strategies for professionals. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • The book provides clear and actionable recommendations on how to improve your writing, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their professional communication skills.
    • Full of real-life examples and useful tips, it offers practical guidance on how to write persuasively, concisely, and effectively in various business contexts.
    • The book's engaging and conversational tone keeps you interested throughout, making it an enjoyable read, and guarantees you won't find it boring or dry.

    Best quote from Writing That Works

    HBOs email motto is Keep it short and sweet.

    —Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson
    example alt text

    Who should read Writing That Works?

    • Marketers and advertisers at all levels
    • Students of business, marketing and advertising
    • Entrepreneurs looking for tips on effective business writing

    About the Author

    Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson are former executives of the advertising and PR agency Ogilvy & Mather. Roman served as the company’s CEO, while Raphaelson was Executive Creative Director.

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    Writing That Works FAQs 

    What is the main message of Writing That Works?

    The main message of Writing That Works is how to write effectively in business, with practical tips for different forms of communication.

    How long does it take to read Writing That Works?

    Reading time varies, but Writing That Works is efficiently summarized in the Blinkist summary, taking just 15 minutes to read.

    Is Writing That Works a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Writing That Works is worth reading for its valuable insights and actionable advice, making it an excellent resource for improving your writing skills.

    Who is the author of Writing That Works?

    Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson are the authors of Writing That Works.

    What to read after Writing That Works?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Writing That Works, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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