Page 16 - Mini-Module 11

Getting the Message Across — Style

We all have different styles of writing. This is a good thing. Imagine
what it would be like if all novelists wrote in the same style! Despite
our differences, some seem to have more attractive styles than others.
We look enviously at some authors who have the gift of making
everything they write eminently readable. Most of us are not so
fortunate. Nevertheless, we can do something about our style. After
all, we do change it for different situations. For example, if you look at
a job application you have made in the past and then compare it with
a letter to a close relative, you will almost certainly detect at least
some difference in style. The style will depend very much on the
situation and your own preferences. Whatever way you write,
however, there are some fundamental principles which make reading
easier and which facilitate the process of getting the message across.

To show two extremes of style, see examples from reports in Figures 3
and 4. The first was for a school and written for its SLT. The second
was for a large public sector organisation. They were both looking at
the same issue. Both are fine examples of report writing. The first has
a rather clipped and 'matter of fact' style. The second in contrast is
flowing and uses words in a creative way. Both writers are experts in
their craft.

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