This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
Focus on making a single, clear point that drives immediate action.
: Avoid "vague adjectives and adverbs." Instead of saying something is "very successful," provide the specific numbers or facts that prove it. Strategic Formatting
Never send a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning and edit it with fresh eyes. 🛠️ Key Takeaways for Immediate Improvement Advice from the Authors Clarity Write so that you cannot be misunderstood. Brevity Remove every word you do not need. Audience
"Writing That Works" by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson advocates for clear, concise, and action-oriented business writing, emphasizing short sentences, active voice, and ruthless editing. The guide provides actionable frameworks for memos, reports, and emails designed to ensure communication is effective and results-driven. Access the 3rd edition for purchase via Oromia TVET elibrary
He famously wrote: “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” A direct quote in the PDF: “After you finish your draft, go back and delete every word ending in ‘-ly.’ If the sentence still works, you didn’t need it. If it breaks, rewrite the verb.”
In the world of business and professional communication, few guides are as enduring as by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson. Often cited as the "communication bible" that advertising legend David Ogilvy insisted his staff read three times, the book argues that clear writing isn't just about grammar—it is about driving action and respecting the reader's time. The Core Philosophy: Writing to Get Results
David Ogilvy's famous memo to his staff, which widely popularized this book, offers a direct, powerful syllabus. Here are his ten tips, which form the book's actionable core:
However, I assume you are referring to a book written by Lawrence Block ( known by pen name: Lawrence Roman) and Jack Raphaelson or Mark Raphaelson.
But the endorsement was not mere favoritism. Ogilvy's memo — written to his own employees — was a serious attempt to improve the quality of writing throughout his agency. "Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing" was the first point of a ten-point plan. Ogilvy was effectively telling his team: "This book already contains what you need to know. Start here, master this, and everything else will follow."
No book is perfect, and "Writing That Works" has its limitations. Some readers find the advice repetitive. Others note that the examples — drawn from advertising and corporate communications of the 1980s and 1990s — can feel dated. The third edition has been updated, but the core examples remain rooted in an era before social media, instant messaging, and the rapid-fire communication styles of the modern digital workplace.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
Focus on making a single, clear point that drives immediate action.
: Avoid "vague adjectives and adverbs." Instead of saying something is "very successful," provide the specific numbers or facts that prove it. Strategic Formatting roman-raphaelson book on writing pdf
Never send a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning and edit it with fresh eyes. 🛠️ Key Takeaways for Immediate Improvement Advice from the Authors Clarity Write so that you cannot be misunderstood. Brevity Remove every word you do not need. Audience
"Writing That Works" by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson advocates for clear, concise, and action-oriented business writing, emphasizing short sentences, active voice, and ruthless editing. The guide provides actionable frameworks for memos, reports, and emails designed to ensure communication is effective and results-driven. Access the 3rd edition for purchase via Oromia TVET elibrary This public link is valid for 7 days
He famously wrote: “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” A direct quote in the PDF: “After you finish your draft, go back and delete every word ending in ‘-ly.’ If the sentence still works, you didn’t need it. If it breaks, rewrite the verb.”
In the world of business and professional communication, few guides are as enduring as by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson. Often cited as the "communication bible" that advertising legend David Ogilvy insisted his staff read three times, the book argues that clear writing isn't just about grammar—it is about driving action and respecting the reader's time. The Core Philosophy: Writing to Get Results Can’t copy the link right now
David Ogilvy's famous memo to his staff, which widely popularized this book, offers a direct, powerful syllabus. Here are his ten tips, which form the book's actionable core:
However, I assume you are referring to a book written by Lawrence Block ( known by pen name: Lawrence Roman) and Jack Raphaelson or Mark Raphaelson.
But the endorsement was not mere favoritism. Ogilvy's memo — written to his own employees — was a serious attempt to improve the quality of writing throughout his agency. "Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing" was the first point of a ten-point plan. Ogilvy was effectively telling his team: "This book already contains what you need to know. Start here, master this, and everything else will follow."
No book is perfect, and "Writing That Works" has its limitations. Some readers find the advice repetitive. Others note that the examples — drawn from advertising and corporate communications of the 1980s and 1990s — can feel dated. The third edition has been updated, but the core examples remain rooted in an era before social media, instant messaging, and the rapid-fire communication styles of the modern digital workplace.
