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Elements of Business Writing: A Guide to Writing Clear, Concise Letters, Mem 1st Edition

by Gary Blake (Author), Robert W. Bly (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
See all formats and editions
From an interoffice memo to a fifty-page proposal, this is the definitive guide to business writing. Anyone who has ever had to write any business document will find "The Elements of Business Writing" the single most effective tool for producing clear, concise, and persuasive prose. Equally useful to executives and support staff, it shows how to: write clearly and powerfully; rid writing of jargon and pompous language; organize material effectively; and avoid errors in spelling, grammar, and usage.
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  1. ISBN-10
    9780020080954
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0020080954
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Pearson
  5. Publication date
    August 11, 1992
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.45 x 1 x 8.15 inches
  8. Print length
    140 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From an interoffice memo to a fifty-page proposal, this is the definitive guide to business writing. Anyone who has ever had to write any business document will find "The Elements of Business Writing" the single most effective tool for producing clear, concise, and persuasive prose. Equally useful to executives and support staff, it shows how to: write clearly and powerfully; rid writing of jargon and pompous language; organize material effectively; and avoid errors in spelling, grammar, and usage. (paper)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0020080956
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 1st edition (August 11, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 140 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780020080954
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0020080954
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 1 x 8.15 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Robert W. Bly

    Robert W. Bly

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Robert W. Bly (Montville, NJ) is a professional writer, speaker, and marketing consultant with over 3 decades of experience in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct response marketing. He became a self-made multi-millionaire while still in his 30s. Bob is the author of more than 90 published books including Careers for Writers (McGraw-Hill/VGM), Secrets of a Freelance Writer (Henry Holt), The Copywriter's Handbook (Henry Holt), and The Elements of Business Writing (Alyn & Bacon). McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly "America's top copywriter," and he was named 2007 Copywriter of the Year by American Writers and Artists, Inc. Bob writes a column for Target Marketing magazine. The Direct Response Letter, Bob Bly's free e-newsletter, has over 60,000 subscribers.

    Check out Bob's blog at http://bly.com/blog or contact him at www.bly.com/contact

    Follow Bob:

    E-newsletter: www.bly.com/reports

    Twitter, http://twitter.com/Robertbly

    LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbly

    Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Bly/535042603

    See more on the author's page
  2. Gary Blake

    Gary Blake

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Gary Blake was born in Manhattan, grew up in Westchester County and took several degrees at The University of Wisconsin. He earned a doctorate from the City Universoity of New York. For thirty years, Blake has written books and has been the director of The Communication Workshop, which offers writing webinars and seminars across the US. His first book, The Status Book, was published by Doubleday in 1978. Blake has co-authored ten books with Robert W. Bly, inclding the best-selling The Elements of Business Writing (Pearson Education). His new book is titled: A Freudian Slip is When You Say One Thing But Mean Your Mother: 879 Funny, Funny, Hip, and Hilarious Puns (Skyhorse Publishing).

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Yuri
5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
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etown granny
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent basic writing guide.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was looking for a handy reference for a business writing seminar. I know if the book isn't concise and clear and easy to use it will just gather dust, but this one, I am convinced, will be practical and worth way more than the others that are way more expensive. Following Strunk and White's formula, the authors give realistic, useful guidelines and tips for clear communication along with excellent examples for the application of each rule. The only drawback to this reference is that it hasn't been updated. As a 1991 guide, it will have to be augmented with more timely information. References to typewriters, for example don't do a lot for its credibility with students, and there are no guidelines for e-mail. Since e-mail etiquette and usage are big issues, especially for young workers entering a professional environment, this crucial lack would be enough to make me select another book--if I could find one. As it is, I will just create my own appendix to affix inside the cover.
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morenachica
4.0 out of 5 stars good reference
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2013
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this is a good book to have as a reference. there are a lot of examples and it definitely can help improve your writing skills
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Mary F. Mcclure
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2016
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If you feel unsure about your business writing, pick up a copy of this book. It is easy to read and find the information you are looking for. It has a bit of humor in it. If you work with someone who cannot tell an Oxford comma from a comet, then accidentally leave this in their cubicle. I had a thorough English teacher in high school, so the book is full of review for me. However, it is a required textbook for my graduate writing class.
One person found this helpful
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Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars Gives the read samples of good and bad writing which is a huge plus
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2014
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Clear, simple, and to the point. Gives the read samples of good and bad writing which is a huge plus. Recommended to me by a college professor at Rowan University!
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Mrs. Wallace
3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2014
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I did not need it too much...I already know most of the book I was looking for something new to suit my business needs.
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Steve Coyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Good, quick book
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2009
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I need to create a class on biz writing. This book was great as it didn't get involved too deeply into the boring grammatical aspects. It instead focuses on general rules to write solid biz documents. It's useful. It's to the point.
7 people found this helpful
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Patrick G. Collier
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014
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Found it to be everything the title and content stated, thank you
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Top reviews from other countries

Luba Horsefire
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource Book
Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book in order to help me with my writing at work. I am a student of English Literature and it is difficult for me to write without using ``big words``. As I learn to adapt to the corporate world, I have realized that it is standard to be simple and direct rather than formal and enriched. This book is an excellent guide that teaches you how to professionally dumb down your writing skills yet remain eloquent.
One person found this helpful
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Anindita
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in India on July 30, 2014
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This is quite a nice book. Worth the money
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Christian Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in Japan on October 14, 2011
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Delivered as expected, recommend the seller
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Gillian Bartlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Still Excellent Advice
Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2017
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This little gem from 1991 is still one of the best books out there for business writers. It is short, sweet, to the point, and utterly practical. A quick read that serves as an excellent refresher every time you begin to feel bogged down in your writing. No wonder it is still in print!
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VP
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent business writing guide.
Reviewed in Canada on April 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a decent guide for business writing, but some of the information isn't applicable today. One of the things I liked is how it provided examples of appropriate vocabulary to use when communicating with different levels of employees. There are also some great examples of how to be more persuasive in your writing and how to organize material to emphasize significant parts. While I would still recommend buying this, it should be a complement to a more up to date business writing guide, not a primary reference.
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VP
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent business writing guide.
Reviewed in Canada on April 8, 2017
This is a decent guide for business writing, but some of the information isn't applicable today. One of the things I liked is how it provided examples of appropriate vocabulary to use when communicating with different levels of employees. There are also some great examples of how to be more persuasive in your writing and how to organize material to emphasize significant parts. While I would still recommend buying this, it should be a complement to a more up to date business writing guide, not a primary reference.
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