Writing Tip: Remember the Four C’s

There are lots of tips and tricks for ways in which you can make your business-related writing more effective and just as many proofreading tips to make sure it is grammatically correct. But as this article says, you can greatly improve your writing by simply following the 4 C’s: clear, concise, considerate, and correct.

First, be clear. Don’t use vague, ambiguous or overly wordy phrasing that can leave your reader confused or force them to guess at what you are really saying.

Next, be concise. This is one where many professionals run into trouble. We’ve all had to try and get through memos, reports and other business communications that were much too long and wordy. Just get to the point and say what you mean. Cut any “fluff” such as unnecessary words and phrases.

Be considerate. It’s very easy to forget your manners, especially in communications sent by email. Just because you are sending a message via a relatively informal format doesn’t mean you can forget about common courtesy.

Lastly, be correct. This is where proofreading is so important. But it is also critical for you to make sure your information is accurate. Be very sure you have your facts straight before you share them with other people. Double-check all of the details in your message.

By keeping these basic guidelines in mind, you will have a big headstart in making sure your communications are as effective and well-written as possible.

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