Write Away e-bulletin archive

Back

February 2012

This month, take our new words quiz – can you decipher what a boomerang child, a helicopter parent and a robocall are? But before you rush out and use them, make sure you read our blog post on the kind of language to use – and avoid – if you want your articles to go global.

Also: why you should never trust a thesaurus, the difference between shall and will and a 60-second fix on whether you dreamt that you learnt something or dreamed that you learned it.

January 2012

Get yourself in the festive mood by tackling our Christmas challenge – can you untangle the business speak and reveal the three well-known festive songs hidden beneath? Then, ponder the round robin. Are his days days of self-indulgence numbered? Or can he adapt?

You can also download the latest Communication lab podcast, learn an easy rule to distinguish who from whom, and find out how to tame a run-on sentence.

December 2011

This month, brush up on your compound possessives, waggle a knowing finger at the most-missable proofreading offenders and take your writing skills to the fourth and final level.

November 2011

This month, supercharge your business writing by joining in our free 45-minute web seminar.

We also tackle the question of whether you should use a or an before words such as hotel, historic and heroic, test out an iPhone grammar app and bring you a downloadable list of the top ten typos.

October 2011

This month we asked people to tell us their email bugbears – and boy, did they. We've condensed the long list into five main gripes. But take a deep breath before you read it, because you've probably been guilty of at least one of them.

As part of our Hit or myth? series, we've examined the popular rule that you can't begin a sentence with and or but. But can you? And should you?

And once you've got that sorted, you can give your spelling a quick brush-up with our 60-second fix. This month we're looking at bear and bare, born and borne.

That might put you in the mood to have a go at our proofreading challenge. Simply cut and paste the example into the comment box and correct all the mistakes, and you could win a free copy of our style guide, The Write Stuff.

August 2011

This month, we tackle split infinitives, the correct spelling of judgment/judgement, and the Oxford comma (there's one in this sentence – can you spot it?). We review a new plug-in, ToneCheck, which claims to be able to spot problematic tone in your emails, and we tell you a bit about our report-writing course.

July 2011

This month, our Bull fighter takes management-speak by the horns, showing you how to banish it from your workplace. Download our PDF guide to saying what you really mean – with not a 'touching base' or a 'pushing the envelope' in sight.

Rob Ashton, Chief Executive of Emphasis, shares his seven-step process for how to write a winning business plan. Work through each section and you'll end up with an ordered, content-rich document that gets you to where you want to go.

In the first of a new series called Hit or myth, we examine the 'rule' that you must never end a sentence with a preposition. (And we'll see what Winston Churchill had to say about that.) Also on the topic of grammar, one reader wrote to us to ask whether he should write I or me when making comparisons. For example, is it 'he is taller than I' or 'he is taller than me'?

We look at how, when it comes to writing emails, a little overconfidence can be a dangerous thing – and we're not talking about that time when you told your boss you 'resent' his email (re-sent). Research shows that around 15 per cent of emails are at risk of confusing, misleading or even offending their recipients.

May 2011

This month, we show you how to grab your readers’ attention and leave a lasting impression when you write introductions and endings.

Emphasis trainer Jan Bateman offers her tips on writing for a global audience. Follow her advice to avoid language barriers and get your writing across clearly – and naturally – to people who speak English as a second language.

Continuing on the international theme, help is at hand for anyone confused about UK and US English. Our guide outlines the key differences in spelling, grammar and punctuation, and suggests what to do when the rules are fuzzy.

Are you 100 per cent sure you’re using ‘that’ and ‘which’ correctly? Use our grammar tips and avoid making common mistakes.

Researchers have discovered that certain fonts make text more memorable. Find out why and whether you should be using them in your documents.

Plus there’s an audio clip on how to write better sales proposals – a four-minute tutorial from Emphasis CEO Rob Ashton that will help your bids beat the competition.

April 2011

One of the most common problems among Emphasis delegates is writer’s block – so we’ve devoted a whole issue to it.

You’ll find this e-bulletin is packed full of block-busting techniques and insights from research. After all, the barriers to writing are built in our minds. Discover the scientific answer to writer’s block – a simple cure; find out what causes your words to dry up and what maintains the problem; and learn how to improve your powers of concentration.
Check out our tips and practical advice – you’ll find smart techniques that we use on our courses. And discover how Stephen Fry, and a host of other pros, deal with writer’s block. Finally, there’s 'The deadline-day survival guide', which explains what to do when time is running out and inspiration doesn’t strike.

Breaking the block will be much easier than you ever imagined.

March 2011

In the first of our special issues, we find out how using insights from psychology can give your business writing the edge. Discover from the latest research how you can use email to influence how others judge you. You can also find out why putting pen to paper can boost your capacity to learn and how writing can improve performance when it comes to any high-pressure situation.

With writing being such a powerful tool, it’s important to get your message across effectively. Our mini grammar workshop offers three vital rules you need to know, while we look at novelist George Orwell’s rules for effective writing – six golden tips that will give your reports extra clout.

Finally, our 'Bad education' article focuses on the growing problem of typos in CVs – especially in graduates’ applications – and highlights solutions to the main problem areas.

February 2011

This month, we find out why too much internet research can make you depressed – and not just because you miss all your deadlines.

We also help you get to grips with apostrophes once and for all, and look at why speaking your customers’ language is good for business. We say now is the perfect time to make your company policies more readable – our action plan shows how simple it can be. Plus, there's our campaign against business babble: this time Ban the bull takes on financial jargon.

Oh, and on the subject of money, there’s also a guide to writing accounting reports in plain English.

October 2010

This month, we unveil research which shows that people are more prone to lying in emails than they are when putting pen to paper.

We look at what HM Revenue & Customs could have done differently when delivering bad news to customers in the recent debacle over tax errors. And we ask what Kraft's decision to lose 'a glass and a half of full-cream milk' from Cadbury's Dairy Milk wrappers might mean for other well-known advertising slogans.

Plus, reflexive pronouns (erm, what are they again?) explained and an invitation to come and meet us at the CIPD annual conference next month.

Download a PDF version of Write Away

September 2010

In September's edition of Write Away, we launch the second edition of our style guide, The Write Stuff, with some pearls of wisdom about how to get your writing read and a great competition to win one of 50 free copies.

We also explore how to write a press release that grabs journalists' attention with tips on how to present your story, newsworthiness, structure and using quotes. And we look at recent eyetracking research, which analyses people's eye movements when looking at news websites, and reveals some compelling advice for creators of online content.

Plus Emphasis trainer Kathy Gemmell gives you her quick tips on writing executive summaries; we put BA's online regulations under the spotlight in Ban the bull; and Rob Ashton offers ten top writing tips for scientists to help them communicate their ideas more clearly.

Download a PDF version of Write Away

July 2010

In July’s edition of Write Away, we have an Emphasis exclusive: the latest project from our Research Centre reveals how the press may have influenced the UK’s recovery from the financial crisis.

You’ll also discover the proper etiquette for making the Queen your pen pal (or for writing a letter to any titled individual) and how to use the ever-useful word ‘however’.

Plus Emphasis trainer Jan Bateman gives you her quick tips for getting the most out of email; we put the dignity into policies in Ban the bull; and Rob Ashton explains why training and development decision-makers need a strong written voice.

Download a PDF version of Write Away

May 2010

Write Away is now available to take away: find out how in this month’s edition, along with why commas might give you pause and how three minutes might save your document – or even your reputation.

Also for May, Rob Ashton shows how sharpening your writing skills can put you ahead of the pack in the sales jungle. We launch the Emphasis research centre by looking at tomorrow’s business writers today, and put the Department of Health under the microscope in Ban the bull.

Download a PDF version of Write Away

March 2010

This month, could the iPad lead us to a paperless office?

Quick guides: you are just ten tips away from perfect punctuation and five minutes from successful speeches.

Plus, why writing skills are more important than ever for today’s graduates; and how management-speak can dent your popularity.

January 2010

It’s a new year (we know you’ve heard about it), and high time for you to break the putting-off cycle: we show you how with our top tips for beating procrastination. Plus, even if you’re still overstuffed from all that Christmas indulgence, you’ll still have room for one of our bite-sized audio tips – the latest addition to our free resource section. This month: Rob Ashton gives away the secret formula for perfect proposal-writing.

Also in January’s edition of Write Away, we rehabilitate another item of business bull, and reveal why we’re ready and willing to start tweeting. And you’ll find out how to avoid getting carried away by capital letters.

Don't miss too our financial year-end offer, giving you the chance to get coaching worth £2000 absolutely free.

December 2009

In December’s Write Away, we ponder the prickly issue of putting the PC into Christmas and consider the benefits of focusing (for a change) on the writer of a document. Also this month: brackets (and how to use them), tips on writing proposals, and – in the podcast – how to grab your reader with catchy intros and memorable endings. Plus, we wrestle another specimen of baffling business-speak into submission in our feature Ban the bull. What more could you want in your stocking?

November 2009

In November’s edition of Write Away, you will find out the difference between a dash and a hyphen – it isn’t only about length – and how to use them effectively. We continue our quest to rid the writing world of pointless jargon with our new feature Ban the bull; and we take a look at the effect the latest technology may have on our use of language. Also, we provide proofreading tips in Business – the write way, and, in this month’s podcast, reveal how your choice of design can give your documents the edge.

October 2009

October’s e-bulletin arrives with a new look and a new name: Write Away. In it, we let you know how to get the best out of your global business dealings, and reveal the full horror of the gobbledygook amnesty winning entry. Also this month, find out about how you can access all the writing-skills support you could ever need, listen to business-writing radio and find out how to break bad news to employees.

August 2009

In August's edition of Write Away we reveal some top tips for making the world of email less stressful for everyone, and show how placing an apostrophe in possessives can be a pain-free process. Plus, recommendations that make writing figures and numbers as easy as pie; and a link to the latest podcast. We also continue to watch over the 'green shoots' in the press.

July 2009

This month, we announce an amnesty on gobbledygook, reveal the secrets of proposal writing and perfect punctuation, and continue to track the recovery through our 'green shoots' index. Plus in the latest Write On podcast, top speech-writer Jack Elliott shares his trade secrets and HSBC reveal how Emphasis helped them improve their customer letters.

June 2009

June's bulletin sees the launch of Recovery Watch, our monthly look at how many times the UK's broadsheet newspapers use the words 'recovery' and 'green shoots'. Plus we look at ways to beat writer's block and reveal the secrets of effective subheads.

April 2009

Alan Sugar may be the ultimate plain-talker, but April's bulletin looks at why The Apprentice is not the best model for business communication. Also, discover why typos are so often missed and how to get the best out of bullets. Plus the chance to win a place on an Emphasis course.

January 2009

January's Write Away asks whether President Obama's inauguration speech could kickstart a recovery. Plus discover why internal communication is never more important than in a recession, and why poor grammar and punctuation can signal a much bigger problem.

November 2008

In November 2008's Write Away, jargon finds its place and Olympus gets it wrong. Plus find out how to get a free 60-page guide to good writing and how to book a place on our new punctuation and grammar open course.

October 2008

Our October 2008 e-bulletin looks at how keeping things simple can make more sense as well as how corporate jargon is beginning to lose its hold.

Facebook
Twitter
Linked In
Subscribe
via RSS