Learn It: Chapter 06 Revising Business Messages:

In Section 6-2, we will cover writing techniques that simplify and clarify business messages. A clear message is one that is immediately understood. Improve the clarity of your writing using one of these techniques: KISS (Keep It Short and Simple); Dump trite business phrases; Scrap clichs and buzzwords; Rescue buried verbs; and Restrain exuberance. A business writer's goal is to express, not impress. Keep it short and simple (KISS). Consider the wordy and unclear example: In regard to the matter of obtaining optimal results, it is essential that employees be given the implements that are necessary for their work to be completed satisfactorily. Now read the improved example sentence: For best results give employees the tools they need to do their work. You should also avoid stale and hackneyed trite expressions, finding original ways to convey your ideas. For example, instead of using the trite expression 'please do not hesitate to,' use the improved expression 'please.' You should also avoid using expressions that have become exhausted by overuse in your messages. Clichs, such as better than new or last but not least, lack not only freshness, but also clarity. This can be particularly important when communicating with those who are new to our culture. Stay away from slang, defined as informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings, and buzzwords, which are technical expressions that have become fashionable. Business buzzwords are often meant to impress rather than express. Both slang and buzzwords are unprofessional and imprecise and should be avoided in your messages. Verbs that have been needlessly converted to wordy noun expressions (known as buried verbs or zombie nouns) increase sentence length, slow the reader, and muddy thoughts and should be eliminated from your writing. For example, instead of using the buried verb 'take action on,' use the unburied verb 'act.' You should also be aware of your exuberance through the use of overly enthusiastic words such as very, definitely, quite, completely, extremely, really, actually, and totally. Avoid overuse of these intensifiers and carefully consider your punctuation marks, as well. Note the example of excessive exuberance: The manufacturer was extremely upset to learn that its smartphones were definitely being counterfeited!!! (Note that this example is using four exclamation points.) Now let's revise the example to be more businesslike: The manufacturer was upset to learn that its smartphones were being counterfeited. (Note a period now comes at the end of the sentence instead of four exclamation points.) 

Which of these are techniques for improving the clarity of your writing? Check all that apply. Demonstrate exuberance Dump trite business phrases KISS Rescue buried verbs Use familiar buzzwords Expressions that have become exhausted by overuse in your messages are calledclichs The use of overly enthusiastic words such as very, definitely, quite, completely, extremely, really, actually, and totally refers to Which of these are techniques for improving the clarity of your writing? Check all that apply. Demonstrate exuberance Dump trite business phrases to 6-2 Enhancing Message Clarity ( 1 of 5) - A clear message is one that is immediately understood. - Improve the clarity of your writing using one of these techniques: - KISS (Keep it short and simple) - Dump trite business phrases - Scrap clichs and buzzwords - Rescue buried verbs - Restrain exuberance 6-2 Enhancing Message Clarity (2 of 5) Keeping It Short and Simple Dumping Trite Business Phrases - KISS - keep it short and simple - Trite expressions are stale, hackneyed phrases. 6-2 Enhancing Message Clarity ( 3 of 5 ) Cutting Clichs - Avoid using clichs (expressions that have become exhausted by overuse). 6-2 Enhancing Message Clarity (4 of 5) Shunning Slang and Buzzwords - Stay away from slang and buzzwords, which are unprofessional and imprecise. - Slang is composed of informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings: snarky, lousy, blowing the budget, bombed, trashed, screw up, ICYMI, etc. - Business buzzwords are technical expressions that have become fashionable and often are meant to impress rather than express: optimize, incentivize, impactful, leveraging, right-size, paradigm shift, cost effective, positioned to perform, etc. 6-2 Enhancing Message Clarity (5 of 5) Rescuing Buried Verbs - Buried verbs - verb that have been needlessly converted to wordy noun expressions (zombie nouns) Curbing Exuberance - Exuberance - overly enthusiastic words such as very, definitely, quite, completely, extremely, really, actually, and totally