Writing tips

How to focus on what really matters when you’re writing at work

Tips for plain language

  • Find out why words, structure, and design are the triple creators of clarity - and get an easy ‘how to’.

    The clarity triplet

  • Do you waffle? Here’s how to slash through your waffle with lightning clarity and keep only the powerful words.

    Get binary

  • We ALL write jargon. This tip helps us root out the inevitable!

    How to root out jargon

  • Why do we write jargon? Why does it keep coming back? Here’s why, and what we can do about it.

    Scrub away some of your jargon

  • 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.

    Use words that you understand

Tips for planning your writing

  • A clear goal is everything. So if your goal in writing is ‘They’ll be informed’, you need to dig deeper. Here’s how.

    ‘They’ll be informed’ is not a clear writing goal

  • Answer your readers’ core questions up front to hook them. What are those first three questions? Read on!

    Answer the first three questions

  • 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.

    How to find your bottom line

  • 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.

    Ask directly for the thing you want

Tips for writing

  • No surprises here - shorter is usually sweeter. Here’s a question to help you cut out the unnecessary.

    Length really does matter

  • Don’t destroy your sentences while trying to make them short. Here’s a way to know if you’ve gone too far.

    Prune but don’t destroy

  • Are you keen to take an audience-based approach to using te reo Māori in your English writing? Here you go…

    Using te reo Māori in English

  • The subject line or title is your big chance to hook your reader! Here’s how to make the most of it.

    How to hook someone with your subject line

  • Have a tricky or technical concept to get across? Here’s how to do it effectively.

    How to explain unfamiliar words

Tips for formatting

  • People adore visual variety. Here’s a trick to make your writing visually interesting.

    Make raspberries out of your writing

  • 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?

    Lists are your friend

  • Find out how to release your hidden lists to create more visual variety in your writing.

    Release the lists

Tips for tone

  • We agonise over tone. Are we too blunt, or too friendly, or something in between? Here’s a way to strike the balance.

    Are you friendly enough?

  • 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.

    Bring the energy of the first time

  • You probably think that a formal writing style, by default, creates a professional tone. That’s a lie, and here’s why.

    Formal and professional are not the same thing

  • Here’s why it’s a good idea to push back when your instinct tells you to ramp up the formality in your writing.

    Over-professionalism – resist the urge

  • 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!

    Show yourself

  • Find out more about the persuasive power of positive framing!

    Positives work better than negatives

Tips for grammar

  • 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.

    You’re not actually bad at grammar

  • 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.

    Use ‘you’ and ‘we’ not passive voice

Tips for reviewing

  • Here’s a formula to use when you’re commenting on other people’s writing. It’s supportive, helpful, and direct.

    How to give useful feedback on writing

  • 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.

    Beware of ‘This isn’t how I’d put it’