By Dana P Skopal, PhD

Many organisations have a style guide – instructions on how to present the written information. This can include font and margin, or cover writing/grammar tips. There are also many writing guides available for business writing. So why do many writers in the workplace struggle getting their ideas across?

A style guide is just that – a guide. Many of us need to go back to basics and plan, think, draft, re-write and then maybe send out a final document. A style guide may also be linked to an organisation’s templates, which should include clear instructions on what information goes where. However, if the instructions or template are not well-defined, it can be difficult for employees to write the necessary information in the way or style that the boss or organisation expects.

As a workplace writer, work with your manager to:

1. clarify the purpose of the document (to inform or to analyse all the risks?)
2. understand the readers’ requirements (who is the final reader?)
3. agree what key information goes first (are you persuading?)
4. agree on the tone (yes, how does it sound? formal/ technical?)
5. edit to make the message clear, particularly so a reader knows what they need to do.

This way you get to know the requirements and hopefully you can follow the style guide.

Copyright © Opal Affinity Pty Ltd 2016