HBR's 10 Must Reads on Communication, Updated and Expanded (featuring "The Surprising Power of Questions" by Alison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. John)

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The Science of Strong Business Writing

by Bill Birchard

Strong writing skills are essential for anyone in business. You need them to effectively communicate with colleagues, employees, and bosses and to sell any ideas, products, or services you’re offering.

Many people, especially in the corporate world, think good writing is an art—and that those who do it well have an innate talent they’ve nurtured through experience, intuition, and a habit of reading often and widely. But every day we’re learning more about the science of good writing. Advances in neurobiology and psychology show, with data and in images, exactly how the brain responds to words, phrases, and stories. And the criteria for making better writing choices are more objective ...