How to Write It : Complete Guide to Everything You'll Ever Write

by Lamb, Sandra E.

• ISBN13: 9781580085724
• ISBN10: 1580085725
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-07-01
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Summary

Even the simplest notes can trigger procrastination, deliberation, and frustration in all of us. Thankfully, writing expert Sandra Lamb is here to provide tips for writing virtually all communications: emails, resumes, thank-you notes, collection letters, grant proposals, letters of complaint, press releases, and much more.An improved and expanded edition of the essential reference on restoring personality, civility, and grace back to business and personal communications.Geared toward today's edgier and more competitive business landscape.Includes twice as many models as the previous edition and new chapters on applying for jobs via email, writing business plans, creating book proposals, and drafting letters of apology and condolence.Previous edition sold 60,000 copies.

Author Biography

Sandra E. Lamb began her career as a technical writer, editor, and ghostwriter in the medical field. In the mid-eighties, she founded an advertising, public relations, and marketing corporation. During this time, she also instructed groups of corporate managers in the principles of effective writing and co-authored the book EQUITY SHARING. Currently, Lamb writes a humor column and is a free-lance writer for national magazines, specializing in women's issues. Her pieces have appeared in such magazines as Family Circle and Woman's Day.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	x
Principles	1	(19)
Getting Started	2	(11)
Design and Layout	13	(7)
Social	20	(81)
Announcement	21	(9)
Congratulations	30	(6)
Celebrations of Life	36	(3)
Holiday Greetings	39	(8)
Condolence and Sympathy	47	(8)
Get Well	55	(4)
Welcome	59	(6)
Invitations	65	(7)
Appreciation	72	(4)
Thank-You	76	(7)
Wedding and Engagement Correspondence	83	(11)
Personal Letters	94	(7)
Job Search	101	(48)
Networking	102	(7)
Resume Cover Letter	109	(9)
Resume	118	(15)
Applying Online and by Email	133	(3)
Letter of Recommendation	136	(7)
Refusing an Applicant	143	(3)
Declining a Position	146	(3)
Employment, Business, and Employee Communications	149	(33)
Employee Correspondence	150	(4)
Introduction	154	(5)
Memo	159	(9)
Meeting Notices, Agendas, and Minutes	168	(4)
Reprimand	172	(4)
Letter of Resignation	176	(3)
Employee Termination	179	(3)
Proposals and Reports	182	(41)
Proposal	183	(6)
Business Plan	189	(3)
Formal Report	192	(7)
Informal Report	199	(3)
Feasibility Report	202	(2)
Technical Report and Technical Writing	204	(3)
Book Proposal	207	(8)
Research	215	(4)
Questionnaires and Surveys	219	(4)
Inquiries, Requests, and Response Communications	223	(33)
Requests and Inquiries	224	(6)
Cover Letter	230	(4)
Response	234	(6)
Confirmation and Acknowledgment	240	(5)
Acceptance	245	(5)
Refusal	250	(6)
Problems, Sensitive Matters, and Resolutions	256	(38)
Complaint	257	(8)
Disagreements and Disputes	265	(6)
Negotiations	271	(4)
Settlements	275	(3)
Apology	278	(9)
Forgiveness	287	(7)
Orders, Credit, and Collections	294	(32)
Orders	295	(5)
Credit Inquiry and Providing Credit Information	300	(6)
Credit Approval	306	(3)
Credit Denial	309	(5)
Credit: Requesting an Adjustment in Payments	314	(4)
Credit: Offering an Adjustment	318	(3)
Collection	321	(5)
Sales	326	(11)
Direct Mail	327	(6)
Sales Follow-Up	333	(4)
Public Relations, Publications, and Publicity	337	(45)
Pitch	338	(3)
Fund-Raising	341	(6)
Media Kit	347	(3)
Press Release	350	(5)
Questions and Answers	355	(3)
Biography	358	(2)
Backgrounder	360	(2)
Fact Sheet	362	(2)
Timeline	364	(2)
Bibliography	366	(2)
Speech	368	(3)
Public Service Announcement	371	(2)
Media Alert and Photo Opportunity Alert	373	(2)
Opinion Editorial	375	(2)
Newsletter	377	(3)
Brochure	380	(2)
Electronic Communications	382	(4)
Email, Electronic, and Online Communication	383	(3)
APPENDICES	386	(22)
Forms of Address	387	(6)
Avoiding Discriminatory Words	393	(15)
Index	408