Recently a question was asked on Linkedin (the business networking site) asking members to post their thoughts regarding the most frustrating things they encountered with the written communication they receive. Some examples (in no particular order) include:
- Poor spelling
- Bad grammar
- Inappropriate punctuation
- USE OF CAPS
- Using words with the wrong meaning.
Whether we like it or not, people will make judgements about us based on the quality of our written communications. The above clearly illustrates why it is important that we know the fundamental skills and conventions of written English, if we are to ensure that our communications are clear and unambiguous. If you really are not sure how to write something correctly it is worth investing in a copy of the “Little English Handbook” by xyz to keep handy when ever you need it or attend a management training course. However, the following tips may help to remind you (in an amusing way!) to write ….. more correctly?
- Don’t abbrev things inappropriately.
- Check and proof read to see you any words out.
- Don’t use no double negatives.
- C U don’t use txt spk in emails.
- Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
- In letters reports and things like that we need commas to keep a string of items apart.
- Avoid clichés like the plague.
- The principle reason for checking a document is to insure the right words are used.
- Its important to use apostrophe’s right.
- Don’t use commas, that aren’t necessary.
Various versions of the above may have been used before. However each tip twists the language to make a point in an amusing way to help make it memorable.