MOLLY AMELL
Proofreading, Editing, and Office Communication
Skills
Focus on Clarity
Conciseness Multiple interpretations
Word choice Jargon
Audience
Professional/Official Documents
Letters of Recommendation
CVs
Curriculum Vitae
Consistency AlignmentReadability Italicized vs. underlined
Letters of Recommendation
MarginsDateSalutationFont size
Example 1:
Word repetitionTransitionsVerb tensesClarity and specificity
Example 2:
Consistency Comma use
Inter-Office Documents
TidbitBinderEmails
Tips
When looking for errors…..
Read out loud!
Look closely at commas.
Be as clear as you can.
Be precise with word choice.
When possible, peer review.
Focus on the audience at all times!
Design Principles
JESSICA BAUER AND DENNIS G. JERZ
Top 10 Strategies for Writing Effective Email
1. Write a meaningful subject line.
2. Keep the Message Focused.
Number your points if you have manyProofreadWrite in short paragraphs, separated by lines
3. Avoid attachments (when possible).
4. Identify yourself clearly.
5. Be kind. Don’t flame.
6. Proofread.
Reread what you have typed.Remember we are in a professional setting.Whenever possible, read out loud.
7. Don’t assume privacy.
Praise in public, criticize in private.Remember that email is not fully secure.“If [the Dean/Crystal/your mother] saw this,
what would he/she think?”Maintain professionalism AND politeness.
8. Formal vs. informal situations.
Think about who you are talking to. Someone in-house vs. external? Someone you know well vs. an acquaintance?
Read the situation. When are , haha, thx, etc. appropriate? When are they not?
9. Respond promptly.
Don’t leave your correspondent waiting too long!
10. Show respect and restraint.
Think VERY carefully before hitting “Reply all.”
Be courteous when forwarding messages. Email can be “too fast” [see below].