It is clear, then, that there are many occasions when you will be called upon to demonstrate your skills in written communication. We shall now summarize key principles which need to be borne in mind whether you are producing a notice, a memo, a letter, an agenda or a full-scale report:

• Write for your reader’s action
• Keep your writing safe
• Keep it simple
• Write only when you want to record or circulate

The great majority of business writing s concerned with action. It may be action you have taken or wish to take, or it may be recommendations concerning another person’s actions. In any case, you must identify very clearly what those actions are or should be. The action should form the focal point of your writing so that all supporting points are clearly related to it.