This is one of the absolute best books I know on writing. It’s crafted beautifully and introduces both a process and a strategy to writing.
#Things to consider
- Make sure your writing is clear, useful, and friendly. Writing is important because your words affect the way people feel. Keep your writing close to the way you speak and give it a human touch.
- Approach writing in a modular way. You don’t have to go in order. You can save the introduction for last.
- Talk to your readers, not at them.
- Say exactly what it is you do. First say what you do. Then say why you’re doing it.
- Make a reverse outline after the first draft. Create bullet lists or headers. Are you covering what you want to say? Is the structure correct? Anything missing?
- Digits work better on the web since readers are scanning. Most style guides say that you should spell out numbers. But digits usually work better on the web since readers are scanning.
- Write as you speak. How would you talk about this in person? The easiest way to show your empathy is to write how you speak. Make you text sound like a conversation.
- Be careful with the passive voice, where the subject of the sentence comes after the object: ==You have received a gift card from Maria.== The active voice is powerful and direct: ==Maria sent you a gift card.==