How to improve your business writing standards

Here are a few tips to ensure you don't allow careless mistakes to ruin your reputation as an educated professional who pays attention to detail. Business writing standards can be very exacting.

1) Use your computer spell checker - but don't rely on it! It cannot read words in context. It's far too risky to rely on it - do your own check. I was emphasising this point in a business writing training program I was conducting for staff at a corporate client. One of the participants brought me this piece which I just had to share with you. It's very funny and makes the point admirably.

Poem Regarding Computer Spell Checkers

Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew.

2) Do several different checks - professional writers run through a document doing several separate checks. One for sense and flow of content. One for grammar, one for spelling, another for punctuation and a final check for consistency of format such as headings and sub headings or a font changing suddenly in the middle of the document. Business writing standards can be fickle.

3) Read the document backwards - to ensure that you pick up every possible error. It's what professional editors do!

If you would like to improve your business writing skills, contact me directly to arrange a convenient appointment time.

I’d love to know what you think of what I’ve said here. You can give me your feedback, fill out our contact form, ask a question by email or post a comment below.

If you or someone you know would like a personal consultation, please call +61 439 969 081.

Take charge of your life with Jacquie Wise.

Information only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Reproducing and Sharing

Jacquie Wise has many articles available for reprinting in your newsletter, website, social media or to pass on to your friends (including this post) that she would be happy for you to share. You can share a direct hyperlink to this post’s URL at anytime.

If you would like to reproduce any articles, Jacquie relies on your integrity to quote the content in its entirety and include the following acknowledgment at the end: © Jacquie Wise – Integrative Coach, Counsellor, Speaker, Trainer and Author, specialising in life, love, work and soul (www.wiseways.com.au)