Writing That Works by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson Summary

Writing That Works by Kenneth Roman is a practical guide to effective business communication, offering strategies for emails, presentations, reports, resumes, and more. It emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and audience-focused writing, with updated advice on digital communication and political correctness. The book provides actionable frameworks to help professionals convey ideas persuasively across various formats.

This book is essential for professionals, managers, job seekers, and students seeking to improve their business writing skills. It’s particularly valuable for those crafting emails, presentations, proposals, or resumes, as well as anyone aiming to communicate with precision in corporate, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial settings.

Yes, the book is praised for its actionable tips and real-world examples. Endorsed by industry leaders like David Ogilvy, it’s considered a timeless resource for anyone wanting to eliminate jargon, structure ideas clearly, and achieve results through writing. While some find its advice broad, its focus on fundamentals makes it widely applicable.

Roman prioritizes clarity and conciseness, advocating for short sentences, active voice, and specific language. The book teaches readers to “not mumble” by addressing audience needs directly, whether writing emails, speeches, or marketing copy. It blends traditional principles with modern digital considerations.

• Simplify: Use short words, sentences, and paragraphs for readability.
• Focus: Highlight the 3 most important points upfront.
• Edit ruthlessly: Remove filler words and redundancies.
• Format strategically: Use headings, white space, and bullet points to guide readers.

The book advises keeping emails concise with clear subject lines, single-topic focus, and actionable requests. It cautions against overusing email for complex discussions and emphasizes proofreading to maintain professionalism. Examples show how to structure emails for maximum impact.

For presentations, Roman stresses starting with a compelling hook, using storytelling techniques, and limiting slides to key visuals. Reports should open with executive summaries, use data visualization, and end with specific recommendations. Both formats require tailoring content to the audience’s knowledge level.

The book provides templates for resumes that highlight achievements over duties and cover letters that tell a career narrative. It advises using action verbs, quantifying results, and aligning materials with job descriptions. Interview follow-up emails are also covered.

The third edition includes guidance on using gender-neutral terms, avoiding biased language, and adapting communication for diverse audiences. It balances clarity with sensitivity, showing how to maintain professionalism without compromising inclusivity.

Roman advocates the “20% rule” – cutting 20% of initial drafts by eliminating redundancies and weak modifiers. Key techniques include reading aloud to catch awkward phrasing, using grammar check tools, and seeking peer feedback before finalizing documents.

Unlike theoretical approaches, Roman’s guide focuses on executable tactics honed through his advertising career. It’s frequently compared to On Writing Well but stands out for its business-specific frameworks and updated digital communication examples.

• “Five times more people read the headline than the entire text.”
• “The one who mumbles gets less attention than the one who speaks in plain language.”
• “Your writing isn’t finished when there’s nothing more to add, but when there’s nothing left to cut.”