Business Writing Principles
| Principle | Practice |
|---|
| Bottom Line Up Front | Lead with your conclusion — busy readers shouldn't hunt for the point |
| One Idea Per Paragraph | If you change topic, start a new paragraph — white space is free |
| Active Voice | "The team launched the feature" not "The feature was launched by the team" |
| Cut 30% | After writing, delete 30% of words — the remaining 70% will be stronger |
Document Types
| Type | Structure | Length |
|---|
| Email | Subject = action needed. Body: context → ask → deadline | 5 sentences max if possible |
| Memo | TO/FROM/DATE/SUBJECT → Summary → Background → Discussion → Action | 1 page |
| Executive Summary | Problem → Analysis → Options → Recommendation → Next Steps | 1 page, append detail |
Subject Line Formula
| Type | Template |
|---|
| Action Needed | "[ACTION] Review Q3 budget by Friday" |
| Info Only | "[INFO] Q3 Results Summary — no action needed" |
| Decision | "[DECISION] Vendor selection: Option A vs B — need response by Wed" |
Pro Tip: Write like you're explaining to a smart friend in a hurry. If your reader needs to re-read a sentence to understand it, rewrite it. Clarity is kindness.