J. G.
Levitt Professional Development
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● 208-853-7027 |
● www.jglevitt.com |
Easy tips to help you write what you mean and make it:
- Compelling
- Clear
- Concise
- Correct
NOTE: Check back periodically for new tips.
Tip 1: Use Affect and Effect Correctly
Tip 2: Use A Lot Correctly
Tip 3: Test Your Message With One Question
Tip 4: Consider Using One Space Following End Punctuation
Tip 5: Avoid Excess Baggage
Tip 1: Use Affect and Effect Correctly
Affect is a verb meaning, “to influence, change.”
The court's decision in this case will not affect (influence or change) the established precedent.
Effect is a noun meaning “result or outcome.”
It will be months before we can assess the full effect (impact or result or outcome) of the new law.
KEY
Affect: Use affect when it is the verb of the sentence. Think "a" for "action" = verb (affect) or infinitive (to affect)
Effect: Think "e" for result = noun
Practice. Circle the correct answer in the following exercises to make sure you can use affect and effect correctly and confidently:
- The (affect/effect) of the new regulation on our business will be minimal.
- The new regulation (affects/effects) our business significantly.
- The freezing rain (affected, effected) the crops only slightly.
- His thorough research will have a positive (affect, effect) on our negotiations.
Answer Key:
1. effect (result) 2. affects (action—verb) 3. affected (action—verb) 4. effect (result)
Tip 2: Use A Lot Correctly
Alot is misspelled as one word. Always use two words: a lot.
A lot means “land on which one builds,” “one’s fortune (his lot in life),” or “a vote (cast your lot for the best candidate)."
The phrase a lot is imprecise and casual. To increase clarity, use a more specific term (a specific number, for example). Terms more appropriate for business writing also include such as, much, many, a great deal of, or a great quantity.
- He mailed out 500 (not a lot of) brochures today.
- She likes this class best. (not alot)
- He said that 75 percent (not a lot) of the members voted in favor of the measure.
Tip 3: Test Your Message With One Question
After writing each key sentence or paragraph, test the content with one important question, “So what?” What is the main idea of this sentence or paragraph? Is it perfectly clear, persuasive, and complete? If not, tweak the content until the “so what” is strong and convincing. Examples of required tweaks include the following:
- Adding needed detail.
- Rewording for greater clarity.
- Enhancing the message with a graphic.
- Emphasizing benefits to the reader.
Tip 4: Consider Using One Space Following End Punctuation
A growing practice in many organizations is requiring the use of only one space following end punctuation. Ultimately, this policy saves paper—especially in large documents. Word processing software automatically inserts one and a half spaces following end punctuation, making the use of two spaces unnecessary.
Tip 5: Avoid Excess Baggage
Extra modifiers can water down your message. Not every noun needs an adjective. Not every adjective needs an adverb. Saying it twice is a waste of time. Target the shortest core term to convey your message concisely and with energy.
Excess Baggage Targeted Term blend together mix both alike same end result outcome meaningless gibberish nonsense single unit one assemble together build