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Better English 101
Tips For Communicating Better
Vol. I, No. 17 ISSN 1939-5795
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In this issue
-- NINE TERMS THAT MOVE YOU ALONG
-- PUT YOUR SIGNATURE AT THE BOTTOM
-- SIX WAYS TO INTRODUCE YOUR SPEECH

Welcome to the first issue of the year. After an overwhelming response from so many readers, I'm back to emailing every three weeks rather than once a quarter. So happy spring, and I'll see you again at the end of April.

Funny thing: two former interns have mouthed the same phrase more than once. So the first tip of the year is not to repeat their mistake. They both said, "These ones."

Just eliminate "ones" and say "these."

If you are watching the presidential candidates, you may have noticed John McCain walking around the stage with one hand in his pants pocket while the other holds the microphone. That's more of a turnoff than Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton using "myself" incorrectly as a noun. You should feel better knowing that your future president makes the same mistakes as you.


NINE TERMS THAT MOVE YOU ALONG
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 With the economy ailing, I thought I would read the monthly newsletter from the T. Rowe Price mutual fund people. Usually I glance at the charts and file it away.

This time I found some tips to share--not about large-cap growth stocks, but about writing. I noticed that their articles flowed nicely because they made such impressive use of transitional phrases.

You remember transitional phrases. They help you move from one idea to another.

Let's look at nine terms that the writers use to make the transition from one idea to another:

  • Lately,
  • Clearly,
  • Likewise,
  • In addition to...
  • Reflecting this thinking,
  • Another concern focuses on...
  • On balance,
  • In retrospect,
  • At the same time,
They're all yours for the taking and using.


PUT YOUR SIGNATURE AT THE BOTTOM
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 If you get a ton of emails as I, you could be as exasperated as I with these greetings that I have complained about before.

The writer tells you immediately who he is, as if his signature at the end isn't enough.

Let's start with the correct way that they obviously don't teach in school anymore. Here's an email that starts, "Dear Barry Beckham." Nice. Then he tells me that his service is raising their fees. Ugh. A few paragraphs follow about how great their services have improved. At the end, I learn that the sender is Sean Harkleroad, Director, Customer Care at Surepayroll.

But he didn't start with that irritating, "Hi, Sean here. I'm director of customer care and I have some news for you."

Now look at these other maddening examples:

"Tom Dahne here from Directory Submitter."

"My name is danielle bériau, Director Sales & Marketing from Presental."

"My name is Sheily & I represent IPROTEK as Client Relationship Executive."

"My name is Deborah Monette and I am President of Twin Typesetting Inc."

Look, just start with "Dear Donald Duck." It's called the salutation. Then ask for free tickets in your text. That's called the body of your letter. Then end with "Sincerely, Mickey Mouse, New Accounts Specialist." That's called the closing.

Reviewing the three main parts of a letter, we have:
  • The Salutation or Greeting
  • The Body
  • The Closing

SIX WAYS TO INTRODUCE YOUR SPEECH
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 Before getting to the meat of your speech or presentation, you must get the attention of the audience, make the audience like or respect you (or both), and create an interest in the ideas you are going to present.

Need an Answer? Get Instant Answers @ Wis.dm. Go!

Consider these strategies for getting attention at the outset.

1. A startling statement: "Major cities in North and South America, Asia and Australia are nearly out of water because of massive droughts and melting glaciers."

2. A seemingly unbelievable but true statement: "Many corporations pay less in taxes than your neighbor next door."

3. A question or a series of questions: "What are we going to do, and how are we going to do it?"

4. A familiar quotation: "Some say the world will end in fire; some say in ice. Either would suffice."

5, The business-like approach: "Today we are going to discuss three strategies. First, we shall consider . . ."

6. Use an example like a story, an anecdote, a joke, or a parable. Remember that one illustration is worth a thousand words of explanation.

Best wishes,
Barry Beckham


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