HBR guide to better business writing / Bryan A. Garner.

Table of Content: Introduction: why you need to write well -- Delivering the goods quickly and clearly. Know why you're writing -- Understand your readers -- Divide the writing process into four separate tasks -- Before writing in earnest, jot down your three main points--inc complete sentences -- Write in full--rapidly -- Improve what you've written -- Use graphics to illustrate and clarify -- Developing your skills. Be relentlessly clear -- Learn to summarize--accurately -- Waste no words -- Be plain-spoken: avoid bizspeak -- Use chronology when given a factual account -- Be a stickler for continuity -- Learn the basics of correct grammar -- Get feedback on you drafts from colleagues -- Avoiding the quirks that turn readers off. Don't anesthetize your reader -- Watch your tone -- Common forms of business writing. E-mails -- Business letters -- Memos and reports -- Performance appraisals -- Appendixes. A.A checklist for the four stages of writing -- B.A dozen grammatical rules you absolutely need to know -- C.A dozen punctuation rules you absolutely need to know -- D. Common usage gaffes -- E. Some dos and don't of business-writing etiquette -- F.A primer of good usage.