HBR Guide to Better Business Writing
Bryan A. Garner
15 min
7 Key Points
4.9 RateWhat's inside?
Improve your business communication skills with practical tips and strategies from experts, helping you to write more effectively and professionally.
You'll learn
1. Key rules for good business writing2. Making your business writing persuasive3. How to edit and proofread like a pro4. Beating writer's block5. Why clear and short communication matters6. Adapting your writing for different readers.Key points
01Writing's a skill you can get better at with practice
Think of writing as learning to play the piano. Initially, you might fumble, hitting the wrong keys and producing a cacophony rather than a melody. But with regular practice, guidance, and patience, you get better. You start playing complex tunes with ease. The same goes for writing. Writing isn't an innate talent, it's a skill. It's not about being a wordsmith from birth, but about learning the rules, practicing, and constantly improving. It's not about using fancy words or convoluted sentences. It's about clarity, precision, and effective communication. Take a business proposal, for example. It's not enough to just list your company's achievements or services. You need to clearly explain how your services can benefit the client, why you're the best choice, and what makes you stand out from the competition. This requires a clear understanding of your audience, a solid grasp of language and grammar, and the ability to present your arguments logically and persuasively. To improve your writing skills, there are practical techniques you can use. Struggling with writer's block? Break the task into smaller, manageable parts. Start with a rough draft and gradually refine it. And don't forget the importance of revising and editing your work. This helps to eliminate unnecessary words and ensures your message is clear and concise. In a nutshell, writing is a skill that can be developed and refined through hard work. It's not about being born with a talent for words, but about learning the rules, practicing regularly, and constantly striving to improve. With the right guidance and a lot of patience, anyone can become a good writer.
02Stuck with writing? Just start and keep going!
Writer's block is a hurdle that many writers, even those in the business world, often face. It's that annoying moment when you're staring at a blank page, unable to find the right words or ideas to jot down. But there's a simple yet effective solution to this problem: just start writing and keep at it. This advice might seem a bit odd. After all, if you're finding it hard to write, how can writing more be the solution? But the point here is that the very act of writing can help to spark your thoughts and ideas. It's a bit like how a car needs a little push to get started, but once it's moving, it can keep going with less effort. This advice is similar to the method suggested by Peter Elbow in his book "Writing with Power." Elbow recommends treating the early stages of writing like a brainstorming session. During brainstorming, you don't stop to critique or analyze each idea that pops up. Instead, you scribble down everything that comes to mind, no matter how rough or unpolished it may seem. The aim is to get all your ideas out there, creating a pool of raw material that you can refine and shape later. So, when it comes to writing, you start by jotting down whatever thoughts, ideas, or phrases pop into your head, without worrying about whether they're good enough or not. This first draft isn't meant to be perfect. It's just a starting point, something you can build on. The act of writing can help to get your creative juices flowing, and once you've started, it's easier to keep going. For example, if you're writing a business report about a competitor's strengths and weaknesses, you might start by listing all the points that pop into your head, without worrying about how well you've articulated them. This could include everything from their innovative marketing strategies to their high employee turnover rate. Once you've got all your ideas down, you can then go back and refine them, turning your rough notes into a polished, coherent report. In a nutshell, the advice here is to not let the pursuit of perfection stop you from starting. By simply starting to write and continuing to do so, you can overcome writer's block and make the writing process less intimidating.
Continue reading with LeapAhead app
Full summary is waiting for you in the app
03Write first, edit later to stay focused
04Want to win readers? Meet their needs
05Write emails people will be happy to read
06Cut the fluff from your writing without losing the point
07Conclusion
About Bryan A. Garner
Bryan A. Garner is a renowned American lawyer, lexicographer, and teacher specializing in legal writing. He authored several books on English usage and style, including "Garner's Modern English Usage". Garner is also the editor-in-chief of "Black's Law Dictionary", a highly respected legal dictionary.
