Dr. Sharon Cannon at UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler (@smccannon) tweets great articles for business communication faculty and students. This week, she found one by Devon Delfino, “How to Improve Your Business Writing Style.”

Delfino offers nine principles:

1. Identify your primary goal in business communications

2. Focus on your readers’ needs and professional goals

3. Cut to the chase in business writing: Focus on clarity over quantity

4. Streamline structure and organization

5. Fine-tune your tone and business writing style

6. Use an active, human voice

7. Include clear calls to action

8. Aim for brand consistency in your business writing style

9. Do a final check

Image source.

Discussion:

• Read the entire article, which offers more good advice. Which principles most align with what you’re learning in your business communication class? Does the article offer something you haven’t learned?

• I would add one point, particularly, which is to adjust your tone to that of your organization. Every department and company has its own style. What differences have you observed from your experience?

• What advice would you add?