HBR Guide to Better Business Writing (Harvard Review Guides)

This is a down-to-earth, pragmatic and effective guide on writing skills. I would highly recommend it. Some might find it too simple - but remember good writing needs to be simple and effective.

This book is well written with easy to follow tips. I like the examples comparing good & bad writing. Lastly, I like the formatting of the book. It's easy to read.

Every writer should have this book. It is both a refresher and learning experience.

英文ビジネス・ライティングに関する入門書はたくさんあるが、本書は斯界の最高 権威ブライアン・ガーナーの著作。文章の組み立て方、基本的な文章作法、メール、 レター、メモ、レポートの書き方がわかりやすく解説されている。 多忙な相手に読んでもらうためには、ビジネス文書は簡潔かつ具体的に書かねばな らない。ガーナーは、悪い例、良い例を読み比べることで、効果的な文章を書くコ ツを体得できるように工夫した。例えば、余計な用語を使うなという例を挙げると NOT THIS: We are unable to fill your order at this time in point because there is an ongoing dock strike that affects our operations. BUT THIS: We cannot fill your order right now because of the dock strike. しかし、短ければよいとはかぎらない。場合によっては、具体的事実をあげて、価 値判断は読み手に委ねよと説く。例えば、 NOT THIS: The company lost its focus and floundered. BUT THIS: The CEO acquired five unrelated subsidiaries—as far afield as a paper company and a retailer of children’s toys—and then couldn’t service the $26 million in debt. 文法問題についても有益な示唆がある。例えば、主語の性別が分からないとき、代 名詞を使わない工夫をせよと説く。例えば、 NOT THIS: Either the receptionist or the sales assistant will have to change their lunch hour so that at least one will be in the office at all times. BUT THIS: Either the receptionist or the sales assistant will have to start taking lunch earlier or later so that at least one will be in the office at all times. 英文ライティングを志す者にとって必読の文献と言えよう。

la rilevanza dell'editore induce a considerare il testo come una guida avanzata che invece dispensa suggerimenti di base senza fornire elementi di scrittura d'affari avanzata