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. 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 cold 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.
Separate 2 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 passive voice. It really does make a difference in readability.
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.