How to Write with Clarity.
Whenever you write an email or report, it is up to you and not the reader, to make sure your point is understood. Here are three ways to ensure your ideas are not misinterpreted : - Adopt the reader's perspective. Put yourself in the reader's shoes to assess your clarity. Better yet, ask a colleague to summarize the main points of your draft after he/she reads through it.
- Keep your language simple. Strive to use short words and sentences. Aim for an average of 20 words or less in each sentence. Ask yourself whether you can say the same more briefly.
- Show, don't tell. Important. Be specific enough so readers draw their own conclusions (aim is to have them match yours, of course), as opposed to expressing your opinion without support and hope people will agree.
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