Writing tips
How to focus on what really matters when you’re writing at work
Tips for plain language
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Find out why words, structure, and design are the triple creators of clarity - and get an easy ‘how to’.
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Do you waffle? Here’s how to slash through your waffle with lightning clarity and keep only the powerful words.
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We ALL write jargon. This tip helps us root out the inevitable!
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Why do we write jargon? Why does it keep coming back? Here’s why, and what we can do about it.
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Challenging yourself to be creative with words is fantastic - when you’re writing poetry. Here’s why, in business, it’s a better idea to stick to familiar words.
Tips for planning your writing
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A clear goal is everything. So if your goal in writing is ‘They’ll be informed’, you need to dig deeper. Here’s how.
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Answer your readers’ core questions up front to hook them. What are those first three questions? Read on!
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If you’re writing to discover what you think about your topic, you’ll write waaaay too much. Here’s one simple question to drastically shorten your writing process.
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Sounds obvious, right? But we don’t always do it. Here’s why we don’t ask directly, and why it’s a good idea to push through the discomfort.
Tips for writing
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No surprises here - shorter is usually sweeter. Here’s a question to help you cut out the unnecessary.
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Don’t destroy your sentences while trying to make them short. Here’s a way to know if you’ve gone too far.
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Are you keen to take an audience-based approach to using te reo Māori in your English writing? Here you go…
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The subject line or title is your big chance to hook your reader! Here’s how to make the most of it.
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Have a tricky or technical concept to get across? Here’s how to do it effectively.
Tips for formatting
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People adore visual variety. Here’s a trick to make your writing visually interesting.
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You can paragraph it, or you can list it. Why are lists a great option? And how do you know when you’ve gone too far?
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Find out how to release your hidden lists to create more visual variety in your writing.
Tips for tone
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We agonise over tone. Are we too blunt, or too friendly, or something in between? Here’s a way to strike the balance.
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Find yourself repeating the same messages? Can’t believe they haven’t ‘got it’ yet? About to go insane? Here’s how to flip your approach.
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You probably think that a formal writing style, by default, creates a professional tone. That’s a lie, and here’s why.
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Here’s why it’s a good idea to push back when your instinct tells you to ramp up the formality in your writing.
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We use cliches because they’re safe. We don’t have to try: these pre-made phrases save us having to think. But we lose the chance to connect!
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Find out more about the persuasive power of positive framing!
Tips for grammar
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If you think you’re bad at grammar, I’ve got great news! You’re not! Find out what grammar actually is, and why you’re highly competent at using it.
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Here’s a trick for fixing over-use of passive voice. Use ‘you’ and ‘we’. Find out why this is such an effective work-around.
Tips for reviewing
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Here’s a formula to use when you’re commenting on other people’s writing. It’s supportive, helpful, and direct.
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Might you be changing people’s writing to suit your personal preference? This can make you a less effective reviewer, so here’s a way to check.