Writing Tips

Here are some of the most common mistakes (and tips for avoiding them) that students make in operations and supply chain assignments.  

Avoid contractions (weren't, aren't)

Avoid "you" as a subject/object ("You have to wait 10 seconds for the page to download")

Avoid misplaced modifying clauses (dependent clauses).  These clauses should go immediately before or after the nouns they modify. 

• Incorrect: There are many demographical questions asked of the purchaser that could be asked at a later date.  (Incorrect because it is the questions, not the purchaser, that could be asked at a later date)  Correct: The website asks many questions that could be asked at a later date.
• Incorrect: Using the supplier scorecard, company B is the best supplier.  (Incorrect because company B is not using the supplier scorecard.   Correct: Using the supplier scorecard, we determined that company B is the best supplier.
• Correct: Visiting three websites, we tracked variables like download speed and font size.

Avoid passive voice.  It really does make a difference in readability.  Note that using the active voice helps make the problems with misplaced clauses above  go away. 

Separate two independent (subject & verb) clauses with a comma.  

• Correct: Customers demand fast download speed, and orbitz.com delivers it.
• Incorrect:  Bestbuy.com claims to have the lowest prices but RadioShack.com sold the product for five dollars less.  (Put a comma after prices)
• Correct: Cars.com displays many graphics but requires the most time to load. (The clause after "but" is not independent.  It shares a noun with the first clause. Thus no separator needed.)

Avoid "obviously" (If it is obvious, do not include it)

Do not state the obvious.  ("The internet is changing retail commerce.")

Do not equivocate: Avoid tentative words like "we feel", "I believe" and "it seems"  

Avoid words that are not critical to convey your meaning.  Don't try to make your writing sound flowery, sophisticated or "academic." 

Bad:  "The piece of correspondence was lost by me."

Good:  "I lost the letter"

Avoid long sentences.  Instead, write short sentences, but begin sentences with words that show how your sentences link to each other (Therefore, However, By contrast, Furthermore, Instead, For example).

A good approach is to write two pages then revise and shorten.  One of my college professors told me, if you want to write something good, then write it, cut it in half, and then cut it in half again.  He was right.

Caveats

Remember:  We live in an "Attention Economy."  In business time is short.   Most decision makers will read your document once.  They will get what they get and not get the rest.

Most business documents are reviewed and revised by multiple individuals. Yours should be too.