Today is Thursday, so this post is about communication skills.
Last week, I shared Michel Neray’s thoughts on using the word “you”, the second person, in your writing. Today, I’d like to focus on using the work “I”, the first person, in your writing.
I think there is some vast conspiracy afoot – this is not a plot to over throw a government or steal the secret formula for Coca Cola. This plot is worse. It’s engineered by some vast unknown, but powerful, force that makes people to write like weenies – specifically, the writing in the third person conspiracy.
How many times have you read -- or worse yet -- written the words “it is recommended that…”? That’s weenie writing. That’s writing in the third person.
Who is doing the recommending? If it’s you, write “I recommend…”. That’s confident, assertive and clear writing. That’s writing in the first person.
When you write in the first person – beginning sentences with words like “I think”, “I suggest”, “I recommend”, “I believe”, you come across as clear and decisive – not to mention easier to read.
When you write in the third person – beginning sentences with words like “It is the general opinion that”, “The recommendation is to”, “It is the consensus that our organization should”, you run the risk of creating confusion in the minds of the reader. Worse, you come across as indecisive and hard to read.
Forget about what anyone might have told you about business correspondence – or what you think sound more official. Remember this. Never use the third person. Always use the first person. Stand up in writing for what you believe. Use the word “I”.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my other blogs: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and www.CommonSenseDay.com to learn more about Use Your Common Sense Day -- November 4, and to read stories of common sense in action; and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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