Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format, which usually means a plain recitation of the facts, circumstances, or whatever else needs to be said.
But, we have a number of other options, and some of them may provide more responses or better responses. Consider the Q & A format, for example:
Question: What's the Q & A format?
Answer: It's a series of questions and answers, used to communicate important information to readers.
Question: Where can a Q & A be used?
Answer: It can be used in advertising, employee communication, or any other business situation where you want to provide written information to other people.
Question: Why or when would you use this format?
Answer: When I have a lot of information and want to keep up the interest of readers, for example. The Q & A format breaks up the information into smaller, more digestable chunks, and makes the content seem less formidable to readers.
Question: But don't you need at least two people for this kind of format?
Answer: In the news media, Q & A means one person asks questions and another person answers. But, in a business writing context, Q & A also can mean the same person asks and answers.
Question: Can you give a real-life example?
Answer: Sure. I wrote one to promote my book, A Manager's Guide to Newsletters: Communicating for Results. In that case, the Q & A provided an insight into my motivations for writing the book, and its evolution from a descriptive to a strategic approach. The material might have been handled conventionally, but the Q & A gave it a ring of detachment with inherently more interest, I think. You can evaluate it for yourself, at: http://www.managersguide.com/unique.htm .
Question: Is there anything special about writing a Q & A?
Answer: I think a Q & A can take many forms, but generally I'd recommend that you use a conversational tone if possible. By doing that, you'll embrace the conventional sense of a Q & A, which is a discussion between two people.
Question: Did you write this Q & A by yourself?
Answer: Yes.
Question: And who are you?
Answer:
About The Author
Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. If you subscribe, you will receive, at no charge, communication tips that help you lead or manage more effectively. You can get more information here: http://www.managersguide.com/unique.htm
http://www.managersguide.com/unique.htm
cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareGriselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
Dr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
Is it possible to improve your writing instantly? The answer,... Read More
~TYPES~You Want Us to Write What? Understanding the Task AssignedWhich... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?When an idea comes to us for... Read More
Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and... Read More
It's clich?, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
Think you can't write a book that will sell? You... Read More
When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the... Read More
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?It should.A theme is a one-line explanation... Read More
Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
When my first book "Starting Your Own Business" was published... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..We've all heard a politician on their soapbox, pushing for... Read More
Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project,... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
A few days ago, I critiqued a chapter for a... Read More
Over the past eight years or so, I have tutored... Read More
Has the thought run across you mind that you might... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More
Far too many inexperienced writers create flat, stereotypical characters: the... Read More
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
No one is born a novel writer. But do you... Read More
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More
How do you choose a name? Do you put down... Read More
Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
Writing |