Writing for Business

Since the advent of the Internet, the demand for people who can write concisely and persuasively has grown dramatically. Annual surveys conducted between 2000 and 2010 by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that communication skills — clear writing and speaking — topped the list of “the skills that employers prize most.” Communication skills ranked above analytical skills, technical skills, and leadership. Many employers complained that most college graduates “lack writing skills.”

In the How to Become a Smarter Writer by Playing Games video, you’ll learn a series of plain English techniques used by top professional writers and editors in the American publishing industry. Understanding how these techniques work — and how to apply them to your own writing — will help you develop a writing style that’s as clear and easy to read as a magazine article.

You’ll also learn how to treat words as players in a game — and sentences as word puzzles. With a little practice, you’ll be able to translate good ideas into good sentences by putting the pieces together.