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As a writer, being able to fully maximize the use of your visuals is an important tip that I’ve previously mentioned in my blogs. Though it’s just so important, that I thought it deserved it own post. Visuals can range from the use of items such as images to the font. It may seem like an afterthought, but these components can really bring a piece together.

Example:I mean just look at the image above, the use of a picture really improves the readability and (potentially) the content if done right. To get started here’s a few common steps in incorporating images:

1. Label, number and title every graphic. 
2. Place the graphic in the right spot. 
3. Introduce and explain every graphic.
4. Document your graphics.
5. Make your graphic stand out.
6. Make it easy to find your graphics. 

Reading this you may be thinking that there are sooooo many more steps than you originally assumed (as did I), but that just goes to show how all these minute factors work to help your writing. They mainly delve into the more technical aspect, though that should be something to keep in mind as you improve your professionalism. Remember to always cite your work and give credit to the source for information you found, and always include images that enhance the substance. There is no use in adding a picture that serves no purpose in the greater scheme of your messaging. After finding that image, fill in details like assigning a title, reference, and connect it to your writing.

On top of images, another visual aspect is the font you chose. Reading an article by Mikael Cho, he goes into how fonts can elicit certain emotions and associations from your audience. Just consider the text below:

There are so many different variations/ styles of font in which people can use to express their writing. Some, like comic sans, will forever be societally viewed as “less than.” So it’s important to understand the connotations of fonts and the appropriate circumstances of using specific fonts. Don’t solely think about how legible a font is, as comic sans is very readable but it can also say a lot about the author’s character (things that may not be good).

Overall, take a second look at your writings and see where is are any lulls. It could be the perfect time to include an image or two to elaborate or visually explain content rather than blabbing on for paragraphs. Images will always be a welcomed break for your reader, and in respect to your font choice you can never go wrong with Times New Roman.

Step 1: Clickbait your audience

Alright not really, but let’s be honest, when we’re online our attention span goes out the window. If something is uninteresting in the first 5 seconds, what are the odds that it’ll get interesting? ZERO. Personally, I find it unlikely that I’ll continue giving whatever I’ve glanced at my time of day if I’m not immediately curious about the content. Clickbait-y headers and titles are seemly the way the internet has decided to draw people in. Though, it’s never really effective, and so I’m here to share two major tips I’ve come across about the art of paragraphs.

Step 1 (for real): Appearance

To captivate an audience, you really should work on making it look compelling to read. Skimming is a tool that we all use to quickly evaluate whether something is worth our time. If nothing is grabbing your audience’s focus then you’ve doomed yourself to being obsolete and unremarkable.

You can remedy this issue with tactics I’ve previously discussed in other blogs such as: varied sentence lengths, special characters, and etc. By including additions such as easy short paragraphs, bolded lettering, clear sections and headers, you can more transparently advertise your material and invite readers to learn more. Don’t worry about keeping something too formal and remember that visuals play a key role in written material as well. Any links, images, videos, and interactive components will help stimulate your audience and liven up your material.

Step 2: Quality of Content

After your hard work of appealing to your reader, you now have to prove that your work was worth reading. A few things to keep in mind when catering to your audience is keeping things short and concise. Don’t overexplain and repeat yourself, nothing is worse than redundancy. It’s a waste of your time and theirs.

A simple tactic is implementing an “inverted triangle.” By starting off with a general statement/conclusion you can draw in a larger audience and strategically narrow in on your agenda/thesis. This further helps give an allure to the reader and is an easy structure to format that will enhance readability and the flow of your material.

Takeaway:

Everything mentioned here is merely a suggestion, though it’s incredible to see the transformations made when applying such obvious steps. If you decide to take more consideration and thought into the appearance and quality of your content it’ll definitely help improve your connection to an audience. I am someone who is stuck in their ways of using the same methods I’ve learned in middle school/ high school. Though just because it was fine then, doesn’t mean that is the limit and the best work you’ll ever do. There’s always room for growth and using these tips can help!

I’m sure we’re all aware of the elaborate song and dance that goes into the interviewing process. From: meeting with recruiters, doing mock interviews, researching the company, and having the interview—it’s been formulated to a tee. Though there’s one thing people often forget: a follow-up “thank you email.”

Regardless of the purpose of the email and whether you are actually accepting a company’s offer, saying ‘thank you’ is a polite and overlooked action that many disregard. Ultimately it’s a waste of potential. A HUGE loss of opportunity. This past week, there were two articles I stumbled across discussing this very topic (of using follow up messages to your advantage), the 1st by Beth Braccio Hering and the 2nd by a Ladders Contributor.

In Beth’s article, she goes into more detail and specifically speaks on using this is a chance to clarify any mistakes that may have occurred during the interview. Obviously, the contents of the message should highlight/ remain a message of thanks to the interviewer for their time, though it’s good time to acknowledge any lingering unresolved issues. Personally, I see it to be great advice as it neatly ties the bow on the whole situation. This could potentially result in a redemption for you, but don’t make the mistake of using too much negative language. Take responsibility, but don’t dwell heavily on any failures, as it won’t do good for either party. Remember, keep it brief and sincere!

Pertaining to the Ladder post and the beliefs of Don Straits, CEO and Dragonslayer of Corporate Warriors; the best thing to include in an email is additional value. If you do as the following graphic above outlines, it will surely elevate the content you are providing. The “standard thanks” is now expected, and in order to stand out there are additional factors you should keep in mind. It’s important to reference and even expand upon what was discussed during the interview. This showcases to the interviewer that you are being attentive and someone who has good follow through (if you end up going the route of providing a solution to problems mentioned). By personalizing the email in this way, it makes you all the more memorable.

Overall, the tips offered above all reinforce good practices that you could (and should) implement into your daily life. Especially going into the professional field, small nuances such as these could be the “make or break” in you being the first or second pick. Don’t wait until “it’s time” to write a thank you letter, take the moment now and your future self will thank you for it.

We’ve officially reached week five, and from the title you must be wondering what these “lessons and techniques” we’ve learned about are. Whether it was known or not, over the past four weeks I’ve been enhancing my writing with flair. In every blog post I’ve made, I utilized skills I learned from Dr. Heather Holleman in her “Writing With Flair” (10/10 would recommend). To give you all the gist of the 5 chapters I’ve read:

1. Choose a verb with flair/ Eliminate feeble verbs
2. Toggle between the Big 5 punctuation marks
3. Vary the length of your sentences and change the way they start to create rhythm.
4. Garnish your paragraph with some clever wordplay if you can.
5. Engage your audience.

A simple test of how we can determine the usefulness of these tactics lies in my previous blog posts. If you believe there was an improvement in style/spice each week, then these are just the tips for you. While all these mentioned above are incredibly insightful and beneficial for the advancement of any writer—two topics stood out the most to me.

• #1 being the variation in sentence length/ pattern.
• #2 being the audience section.

Thinking back, have you ever had to read paragraphs upon paragraphs with monotone sentences? Odds are you have and it was immensely boring, though there must have been ones where despite its lengthy read, you were captivated by their wording. By introducing a range of sentence lengths/style from short ones to long ones with occasional decrescendo patterns (long to short phrases); it all works to create/ set the scene for a more visually interesting read. Just look at the example below:

It’s clear which variation of the text is more preferable to read. The right one implements many strategies to increase variety such as posing a question, combining sentences, leaving short ones to give the reader a break, and etc. amplifying the interest. In the past my work would have resembled the one on the left, as I never put much thought into the “aesthetic delivery,” focusing only on the content. Now my eyes have been opened to the vast array of details I can tweak to improve my writings.

In regards to being aware of the audience in your work, this is a necessary step I feel many writers (me included) lose sight of. You might have all the right information, though in order for your audience to read it, you have to cater it towards them. You should address your audience and engage with them in the reading to hold their interest. You should remember to build rapport through your language, use of ethos, pathos, and logos, and etc. By including this key step I am better able to spread my messages, rather than writing in a way that would appeal only to myself.

To summarize, will the inclusion of all these strategies lead to the perfect written piece? No of course not, you can have all the ingredients for a perfect cake, but if you don’t use them right or precisely the end result could be drastically different from what you may have envisioned. This fact alone may be discouraging, though with practice and time you will end up with a masterpiece and a skill set to use for the rest of your life! So, take the time now, as I have, to practice and help your future self be the best they can be.

Let’s be frank. There’s no world in which anyone is happy to receive a layoff notice, though what I find even worse is a layoff done through email. Don’t get me wrong, there are adequate ways of addressing this issue in a written statement—the “mass sending” and the impersonal-ness of it all just doesn’t sit right with me.

Giving some (needed) context, I recently read an article outlining Jack Dorsey’s layoff of twitter employees. The manner in which he spoke about the situation was extremely avoidant, lacking any responsibility for his decisions. Dorsey danced around the subject, and to add insult to injury it was addressed to all the employees. This lack of confidentiality and consideration is abundantly clear, despite his need to self-dictate his actions to be out of “the upmost respect.” In this scenario a jester would have more grace.

Beyond being offended if I were the recipient of this letter, regardless of my position, I’d feel demoralized. To fire individuals in this capacity is concerning, and shows a general lack of care, inciting job insecurity among the masses. Twitter (X) may be a place of nonchalantly addressing massive audiences, but to apply this rationale in a professional setting doesn’t work. There should be boundaries in place that discourage this very action. Despite Dorsey’s message promoting “all for one, and all for one” mentality, it’s apparent he only cares for himself.

There are aspects of Dorsey’s letter that should be highlighted and amplified including its: awareness, openness, (attempt of) gratitude, call to action, future help, and the format. He should have relied on these variables and tips more to have a good email(one that is objective, sensitive, explanatory, etc.). More of these variables would have insinuated an illusion of him caring. Caring about employees would not only improve their trust in you, but their (and society’s) comfortability/ connotations with this company.

On the other side, here’s what letters should avoid: multiple (conflicting) audiences, unnecessary jargon, confusion, and mainly a lack of personal compassion/empathy. The inclusion of these elements creates an environment of great disrespect and the air of a rich CEO being disconnected from his employees. Just what every company needs! Who cares if the public is angered? Who cares if stocks go down? Who cares if Twitter fails because of a “blunt” CEO? I certainly wouldn’t if this letter was any indication to Dorsey’s style of management.

My personal review may seem (or be) a bit harsh, though this isn’t condemning every situation like this. If done with care, an email is a perfectly reasonable means of communication. The time and effort to address people individually is something that I stand by. Especially after events such as the mass firing Better.com did over zoom to 900 employees. The takeaway is to be a decent person, while maintaining the necessary elements of a professional letter.

Sometimes it requires speaking out loud whatever thoughts you have in your head, or whatever you’ve written down, to really get that authentic feedback from yourself. Often mistakes allude us, at least until they are verbalized. Making this key to my writing success. When counting all the errors that have slipped by in emails I’ve sent—regardless of the recipient—there aren’t enough fingers on my hands (let alone twenty) to tally that atrocious amount.

I recently stubbled across a video that addressed this exact topic. Giving a rundown: the speaker emphasizes the importance of being able to not only 1) grab the attention of the reader, but 2) create something memorable as well.

Verbally reading out your work will improve the quality/ experience by: enhancing the flow of the sentence structure, encouraging your brain to think critically about better sounding words, opening your mind to another (editing/reader) perspective, and etc. Expand the way you view emails with this singular tactic for guaranteed better writings. At the very least, there should be no simple errors. Fingers crossed.

The points made above were exactly how I view this action (of speaking out loud), when drafting my messages. For me, it’s an opportunity to practice how it might sound if this were a conversation; it offers a chance to give some personality and individuality in a writing as well. It’s a pretty useful detail to include. Through treating emails/ written works in this manner, it fulfills that memorability aspect—that can really differentiate you from every other email that recipient read that day. At the end of the day, we are all humans and shouldn’t try and communicate in a way that isn’t natural. Always keep in mind the level of professional needed, though it is (when applicable) fine to deviate and offer some genuineness through ones words.

However you might start a conversation with another person, could be a good starter in your email. It’s almost an equivalent of walking up to someone. How would you making it meaningful and interesting? I ultimately view the written language as the same as speaking. I’m sure many would disagree with that point (strictly off the different nuances of each). For me, the more honest and “human” something is, it’s more likely to convince me to listen to that message.

Whatever reason you decide to read (or not read) aloud emails is your own prerogative. Though if we analyzed works I have read out loud vs. ones I have not, I’m sure we’ll see numerous errors in grammar and something that ultimately resembles a clunky read. Making me unable to stress the importance of adding this tool to ones repertoire.

To be frank, I often utilize an arsenal—of incredibly flowery language—in attempts of persuading my audience that I possess more credibility and legitimacy than I’d grant myself. It’s a false pretense I put up, though I’d like to genuinely assert more confidence in my writing and communication without frivolous words.

Recently I came across an article, discussing Steve Job’s tactics, regarding efficient emailing. From a first (cursory) glance, I was immediately put off, due to the sole reason that I perpetuate a lot of the wrongs described. In essence, it’s imperative that one: has a singular purpose, keeps the design simple, removes filler words, uses an active voice, and closes with their request.

To reiterate here’s a list of what I (shouldn’t) do:

• Cram an abundance of concerns under one subject line
• Write up a huge blurb of content that contains no striking headlines, indentations, bolding, etc.
• Fill up an email with fluff and frilly adjectives
• Use a passive voice no matter what
• Hide requests within the message (due to an absurd fear of bothering others), very counterintuitive… I know

That said, within the read, it raises legitimate points that I know I must begin to adopt into my everyday writing habits. I personally find it nonsensical to keep one email to one topic only; it’s the perfect opportunity to address all concerns. Though in theory and practice this ideology remains rational. From this exploration of desiring and seeking to change (really unlearning bad habits), I find myself struggling to grasp it all on the principal of tradition. It’s always done this way, it should continue to operate this way. Definitely not the best thought process—there’s room to grow—so I’ll keep in mind to prioritize logic over emotion.

As I further examined the contrasts between: Jobs and Murdoch, their styles give insight into their individual priorities. Jobs obviously portrayed that “classic apple mantra:” of simplicity and efficiency, while Murdoch flirts around the idea of professionalism through other means. Steve Job drops all airs (of what people might attribute as manners) and responds relatively curt; still it’s effective in that communication. In my day to day, I still prefer to offer a bit of politeness/ friendliness in my correspondences; as to not offend others. I do concede that every situation requires its own guidelines: on what qualifies as right or wrong.

Overall, the objective I gather from this piece is to take and implement these small tactics in order to effectively convey your meaning—especially in emails. This transition from what I’d label as my amateur format, to this profoundly crafted one signifies something I understand will only help benefit me in my professional career. With my start of diving into all these nuance subject areas, it really taught me the intricacies that go behind every decision; making me all the more conscious moving forward.

We all undergo this process of growing up and inevitably reaching a stonewall in life that is honesty. At this dilemma, there lies a “choice” to conform socially and succumb to conflated understandings of “politeness,” or traverse off the beaten road and ultimately ostracize yourself for a lack of “social awareness.”

Now, whether you or I flirt around these subjects for fear of how we are perceived or for fear of punishment remains a question we must internally reckon with. I recently came across a video of Sheryl Sandberg, who revolutionized my life-long (19 year) struggle of how to embrace authenticity. To give a short rundown of the recommendations:

1. Cleanse this misconstrued perception of “right” or “wrong.”
2. Stop galivanting through life as a passive victim.

I wholeheartedly stand with the sentiments Sandberg expressed, though I’ll admit that I would be prosecuted for committing all these offenses. Beyond achieving self-awareness, there remains an action component that requires just as much, if not more, attention to correct these missteps. The process of unlearning often goes ignored or minimized, but it designates the path to real and permanent change. To reflect inward and evolve, I envision myself struggling immensely with these fake/ conditioned philosophies of social conformity and acceptance to truly unveil my inner beliefs.

Regardless of the choices we make in life, it ironically almost always ends with us believing everything remains out of our control. On the daily, I habitually accuse the world of harboring resentment against me and for hijacking all my opportunities of happiness. But, it’s obviously not the case, and instead, the more realistic course of action requires me to take accountability and admit the faults I contributed that concludes these “horrid” endings. Delineating responsibility in a wide array of circumstances will present you with the opportunity to rewrite the narrative and proactively improve going forward.

Personally, in the past I blindly accepted what authority figures told me, despite what emotions I attributed to people, places, etc. To this day, I hesitate to question the status quo, under the guise and pretense that I’m like everyone else. I assimilate/ fake it and transform into whatever version they want from me, because my warped perception of “politeness” and epitomizing myself as a “good student, daughter, and member of society,” consumes me.

In the end, these false alternatives I created cause nothing but pent up emotions and a stifling reality. In order to truly grow as a person, an important factor depends on our ability to learn our boundaries, beliefs, and whatever we deem important for the conservation of our individuality. Of course these traits only become more vital in workplaces so it’s better now than never to confront these demons and become our true selves. Once we approve of ourselves, it’s the first step for reciprocation from the world.