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You write to express, not to use every word in the dictionary.Here are ten tips for using those words to make your writingclearer.1. Simplify language Avoid using big or vague words. Use fewerwords, but make them count.2. Shorten sentences Business people dont have time to read10-page letters. Cut out run-on sentences. Eliminate extra wordsas long as it doesnt change the meaning. You can also combine ashort and a longer sentence into one to remove extra words.3. Use active voice Instead of, "A good time was had by all,"say, "We had a good time." This changes the subject from "goodtime" to "we." It also puts emphasis on the verb, making thestatement stronger.4. Use present tense Stick to the present tense wherever youcan. Also make sure you dont switch tenses in the middle of asentence.5. Use bullets where appropriate Since people have little timeto read, put important points in a numbered or bulleted list.This makes it easier to scan so your readers get the meaningwithout reading every word.6. Never use exclamation points in business writing! Unlessyoure writing an advertisement or an excited letter to afriend, skip the wow factor! It doesnt belong in a memo,report, letter, or other serious-toned business writing!7. Eliminate jargon Avoid it at all costs if your audience willnot understand it. It will be like a foreign language to them,and your point is to make your writing clearer - not morecomplicated.8. Avoid fragments and one word sentences A fragment. Is anincomplete sentence. No subject or no verb. Really. A completesentence has both a subject and a verb and contains at least twowords. "She walked" is a sentence because it meets all threecriteria.9. Proofread your writing You know to use your spelling andgrammar checkers. But you should also go over your writingyourself -- the spell checker cannot distinguish between "to"and "too" or "their" and "there." It cant tell you if you said"and" where you meant "an." If possible, get somebody else toread it before handing it in. Two sets of eyeballs are betterthan none.10. Avoid repetition and redundancy!Use these tips every time you write and you will avoid tencommon mistakes that cloud your writing.

About the Author

Linda Elizabeth Alexander is a business writer and marketingconsultant based in Longmont, Colorado, USA. Improve yourwriting skills at work! Subscribe to her FREE ezine. Write tothe Point at lalexander@write2thepointcom.com or visit http://www.write2thepointcom.com/articles.html.