How to Write an Effective Email by Susan Adams
How to write an effective e-mail by Susan Adams, Forbes.com Monday, August 9, 2010 provided by forbes Get to the point, keep it short, and assume it’s public, say the experts. In July 2008, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford e-mailed his Latin lover, praising “the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts […]
Email Advice: 5 Quick Tips to Improve Communication
1 – Remember that people only have your words, phrases and punctuation to try to understand and ‘feel’ your meaning in text, so choose them carefully. Be concise and not too emotional. Stick to the point of the correspondence. 2 – Do not use CAPITALS as it looks like you are SHOUTING. 3 – Do […]
Is Spelling Really Important?
Yes and No. Proper spelling is important for written reports, essays and school assignments, as well as any and all business documents (including emails). BUT proper spelling is not important for understanding words and meaning in the sentence. Most people can read the sentences below and still understand the correct meaning (i.e. words) without much […]
I Believe in the Power of You and I…or Me?
Can’t fool you and me: Grammarian says lyrics to ‘I Believe’ anthem flawed By Bruce Cheadle, The Canadian Press Feb 23, 9:00 am EST WHISTLER, B.C. – It has become as emblematic and familiar to TV viewers of the 2010 Winter Games as Alexandre Bilodeau, underperforming Canadian medal hopefuls and venue weather woes. But that […]
Do You Have “A News” or “Some News”?
I hear this mistake all the time, so I thought I should put it down here. In English we say “news” not “a news”. It is uncountable. Eg. Vanesa: “I have some (good/bad/strange) news to tell you/share with you/for you!” Rob: “Really? What’s the (good/bad/strange) news?” Vanesa: “I’m pregnant!!!” Rob: (Faints…) So please do not […]
English Acronyms and Short Forms for the Office
Here are a few acronyms that you most likely will come across as you work in a professional setting, like an office. These will come in handy (be useful) as you read and write office memos, emails, texts and letters. Re: This means “Regarding”, as in “regarding (or in regards to) your question/memo/email etc.” Appt: […]
How to write a 5-paragraph report
Initial Criteria for Writing Reports Writing Conventions: These are the basic parts of your writing: the spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. Do errors make it hard to understand your writing? Logic: Logic determines the order of your writing and how easy it is to follow your ideas. Proper logic determines how well your introduction, […]
What Those Words on Yearly Performance Reviews REALLY Mean
Hi folks, It’s been a while since my last update. I apologize for my tardiness. I have been quite busy with coaching, a presentation on PowerPoint repair, and setting up employee training courses at companies for immigrants who have English as a second language. In addition, I am moving in a couple of weeks. Busy […]
Textbooks are the Beginning, Not the End
I love books. I enjoy flipping through the pages and seeing if the style of the book matches my learning style. In that way I will know if I will read it and understand it, or if I will be bored and waste my time and money. I have taught ESL (English as a Second […]
Idioms from Snow
Well it is the season for this topic, at least here in Canada and the northern U.S. (I have modified these from http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/snow) To be (as) pure as the driven snow: Pure and chaste (Often used ironically.) E.g. Jill: Sue must have gone to bed with every man in town. Jane: And I always thought […]