6
votes
Accepted
What are proper ways to end a business letter?
I liked this question - writing letters is a professional use of writing skills, but it's becoming rare to the point of looking like a lost art.
The norm (UK, at least) always used to be that if the ...
6
votes
Accepted
How to write recommendation documentation?
I've done this sort of thing as part of evaluating technologies. It's usually cast as an evaluation, covering both benefits and weaknesses, rather than just weaknesses. I suggest getting ...
- 21.3k
5
votes
Need recommendation re: online resume format
Pretend you are writing an email, and that the recipient will read it as plain text. "To put spacing between sections, hit 'enter' instead of using the space bar.... To highlight subheadings, use all ...
- 956
5
votes
How can I avoid using I repetitively in a resume/about me?
Most résumés seem to solve this issue by creating bullet points and starting each bullet point with the verb.
- 2,522
4
votes
Accepted
How to communicate two elements of different general syntactic/semantic type in the same sentence?
The problem you're having is in attaching the final clause:
NAME is...that helps...by rating...and helps... .
When the reader gets to the "and" he's expecting it to bind to the "by" -- NAME helps ...
- 21.3k
4
votes
How to express myself in a sensible way
You can try to "rubber duck".
Explain what you need to convey out loud to someone not in the know or even to a rubber ducky from the bathtub. Then write it down.
When still unsure, wait a day and ...
- 1,032
4
votes
What are proper ways to end a business letter?
It depends upon the content of the letter.
Just "Thanks," alone can sound off key if there is nothing obvious for which thanks to the reader is warranted, or too light-hearted when providing serious ...
- 92.4k
4
votes
Is all caps in legal notices perceived as abrupt?
(My background is that as a software engineer, I have read and written many such notices).
Data File or Download
All caps is used in many licenses for emphasis, for example in the GPL, MIT License and ...
- 548
3
votes
Accepted
How do I choose the most appropriate font for a professional document?
Short answer: If the font is easily readable, then it's fine. I wouldn't obsess over this.
I'm sure psychologists and marketing people and psychics are convinced that choice of font has profound ...
- 25.2k
3
votes
Accepted
Is there any research about the efficacy of illustration and example placement in procedure writing?
First, ask yourself if all the illustrations are necessary (i.e. are these screen captures illustrating a screen with one button on them?).
The reader is going to be very annoyed having to flip back ...
- 146
3
votes
Accepted
How to write an elevator speech for MYSELF?
When you're looking for a job, you have (a) your skills, which is what you offer the company, and (b) your professional desires, which is what the company offers you. Examples:
A graphic designer who ...
3
votes
Accepted
Including a company logo in a report
If it's a report generated by your company, you may as well put the logo on it. The only reason not to is if it's literally an internal memo, like an email or something, which isn't really being "...
3
votes
Order of names in title
If one of you is obviously senior to the other in some relevant way, then put that person’s name first. If you are both reasonably similar in standing, then put your names in alphabetical order.
- 1,348
3
votes
If a heading is in roman numerals, is an in-text cross reference also in roman, or arabic, or spelled out
In CMOS 16th edition, section 9.29 (Numbered divisions in legal instruments) comes (as best I can determine) to answering my question:
"Arabic or roman numerals are sometimes used to distinguish ...
- 500
3
votes
Do you pluralize a Roman numeral?
You don't ever use apostrophes to form plurals, so that's right out.
If the Roman numeral is part of the name, you would add an S: A total of 15 Saturn Vs were built, but only 13 were flown.
If you ...
3
votes
Is it copyright infringement to Disney if I were to name my online company BuzzLightYear?
Basically this goes in line with what I stated above, making the name one word is more than likely not an adequate enough of a change.
See this link for more details.
Transformative Use
...
- 4,561
3
votes
What are proper ways to end a business letter?
I always use, "Best" or "Best wishes". If someone's helped me a lot, I like to end with, "Thanks for everything".
- 433
3
votes
Accepted
How can I avoid using I repetitively in a resume/about me?
Speaking as a former division manager of a public company that has hired dozens of programmers and engineers and read hundreds of resumes:
Use "I". It is expected. Stick to the facts, do not engage ...
- 92.4k
3
votes
Referencing another company's product in my product manual
I am not a lawyer, and you should consult a lawyer before you start naming your competitor's brands and products in any publication. It probably isn't worth it; especially if they are bigger than you ...
- 92.4k
3
votes
In a professional email you need to quote something from a business document. How do you write this?
Cite it exactly like you would a source for which you have a full name, except the name is "Anonymous."
"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX." (Anonymous, 2019)
If it comes from a published work that has no ...
3
votes
Can you use a semicolon to connect fragments that are one item in a vertical list?
I would be fine with either a comma or a semi-colon, although I think I'd prefer the semi-colon. Lists, particularly with sentence fragments, are pretty flexible in terms of content and punctuation. ...
3
votes
What is Considered Good Writing? How Do You Become a Good Writer?
To begin with, writing is a form of communication. The writer has something to say. The written word conveys that meaning. The reader processes the message by reading the words. All three elements, ...
- 4,904
3
votes
Is an "ampersand" prohibited in formal writings?
Formal writing like legal documents, newspapers, research papers for publication, have their own style guides that define proper typesetting conventions. But, they are different.
For example the AP ...
- 7,925
2
votes
What type of stuff should someone read to improve their email skills?
Court cases and decisions written by the courts are very bussinesslike and logical. They lay out arguments and information while trying to be clear and concise.
There are some really interesting ...
- 196
2
votes
What are proper ways to end a business letter?
When writing a business letter, you should end with something more formal. Here are some that are commonly used. (Hint: Most people use "Thank you" instead of "Thanks" because some say it sounds more ...
- 925
2
votes
How to write recommendation documentation?
In case you are starting from scratch and are free to choose whichever form you like you should have a look at the excellent answer from Monica Cellio.
But: in case you are in an established company ...
- 5,596
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