Writing for Busy Readers

<p><strong>We were all taught the fundamentals of writing <em>well</em> in school. But how do we write <em>effectively</em> in today’s hyper-interactive world?</strong></p><p>When <em>The Elements of Style</em> and <em>On Writing Well</em> were published in 1959 and 1976 the internet hadn’t been invented. Since then there has been a radical transformation in how we communicate. The average adult receives over 100 emails and tens of text messages each day. With all this correspondence gaining a busy reader’s attention is now a competition.</p><p>Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink both behavioural scientists offer practical writing advice you can use today. They begin by outlining cognitive facts about how busy people read then detail six research-backed principles for effective writing:</p><ul><li>Use fewer words</li><li>Lower the reading level</li><li>Use formatting judiciously</li><li>Make the purpose clear for skimmers</li><li>Emphasise value for readers</li><li>Make responding as easy as possible.</li></ul><p>Including many examples a checklist and other tools for the most effective writing this handbook will make you a more effective communicator. Rogers and Lasky-Fink bring conventional ideas about text-based communication into the 21st century’s radically transformed attention marketplace.</p> <ul><li>Incredibly well researched<strong > </strong>by two highly acclaimed Harvard behavioural scientists to deliver six practical principles of effective communication that will help everyone who communicates to improve.</li><li><em >The Elements of Style</em> was published in 1959 before the internet. <em >Writing for Busy Readers</em> should replace this key text. </li></ul> <p>‘Rogers and Lasky-Fink’s research has fascinated me for a long time — and one of the reasons it’s so great is because their writing is so readable. This book is an explanation about how to transform your own everyday writing so that it is easier to read easier to write — and more likely to make a real difference in the world.’</p> <p>‘Amazing. The best book ever written on effective writing. It will change your life — and make the world a better place.’</p> <p>‘This book is a home run. It will teach readers the science of getting people to read and respond to messages. What could be more practical than that? This book will be a must read for everyone who communicates in writing … And I cannot imagine a better pair of authors for this book either.’</p> <p>‘I wish this book had existed earlier in my career because it would have saved me from countless mistakes and wasted hours. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink show how effective writing makes life and work easier more pleasant and more productive. Read it today and you will write better tomorrow.’</p> <p>‘However skilled a writer you are the insights and tools presented here will make you better. The techniques speak to both courtesy and strategy: respect readers’ time understand their needs and you’ll gain their focus and trust. Grounded in research but designed for impact.’</p> <p>‘Indispensable! This actionable evidence-based guide will help you unleash the power of effective writing. Witty well-organised and imminently useful <em>Writing for Busy Readers</em> is a gem. You’ll never craft a subpar email text or memo again.’</p> <p>‘Inspiring and practical in equal measure and successfully shows the profound difference that effective written communication can make. The contest for people’s attention is fierce but we’ve all got a better chance with this book as our guide.’</p> <p>‘Science-based tips to help you cut through the noise and reach readers. This is a helpful guide to achieving your communication goals.’</p> <p>‘Cost: £17 and three hours of time. Benefit: Hundreds of hours of your time and thousands of hours of the time of others. Conclusion: Good deal.’</p> <p>‘This book won’t just make you a better writer — it will turn you into a more effective communicator. <em>Writing for Busy Readers</em> is a surprisingly captivating guide to conjuring words that captivate people. Move over AI: this is the ultimate guide to sharpen every meaningful message you craft.’</p> <p>‘Genius! A succinct sage guide to writing effectively — and the only one I know of that is grounded in evidence of what really works.’</p> <p>‘[A] useful handbook on how to efficiently get one’s point across whether in an email work memo or social media post … The thoughtful advice is pragmatic and the prose fittingly concise and straightforward. It’s Strunk & White for the internet age.’</p>