Blog
Capitalization: Determining What is Proper is a Common Problem
Capitalizing things that clearly should not be in upper case is distracting to readers and sometimes makes them wince. Granted, the English language has a lot of nuances when it comes to grammar, punctuation, and mechanics (capitalization and the use of numbers), and...
read moreBe careful about fashionable new words
Resist the temptation to grab onto new words that seem to be catching on in the language. Instead, be original and specific. Using certain new words might seem trendy, but it can be a sign of lazy writing or speaking and can leave the audience wondering what you mean.
read moreA Stylebook can Save Embarrassment
A writing stylebook is an essential reference for business professionals. It answers questions about word usage and punctuation, helps to ensure consistency within a company, and can save considerable embarrassment.
read moreThe Inverted Pyramid: a Great Format for Web Pages
Effective Web writing is about packaging information. This includes using the inverted pyramid newspaper format, in which information appears in a most-to-least important structure, and it means keeping most pages self-contained, so that people don’t need to keep clicking “next.”
read moreSocial media “toolkit” has more influence than traditional news release
More companies are re-examining how they distribute their news to the media. They are moving away from sole reliance on the traditional news release and more toward a release that includes video, audio, and other social media elements. It is far more useful to a journalist and is far more effective in spreading the news.
read moreWant to Influence? Can the Slides
More people are voicing concern about the so-called PowerPoint to Death Syndrome. From school rooms to board rooms, people are tuning out quickly. The key is to have an interactive conversation with the audience.
read moreInfluencing Customers: Even Call Center Operators Need to Write
Even call-center operators are using instant messaging now, but it is still a business communication written on behalf of the company.
read moreNot All Writing is Really Writing
Web sites, blogs, and chat rooms have given people more opportunities to write, but don’t equate that to better writing. People can engage in an activity for years but if they don’t get guidance and instruction along the way, their work will still lack polish.
read moreBy Ken O’Quinn
As a contributing author in this book on leadership, Ken offers insights and tips for managing difficult conversations, providing effective feedback, and being authentic. Order here.
Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
Provides the right words and phrases for any situation - quickly. The book was reprinted in Japanese because of high-volume sales there.
TD at Work — Business Writing for Managers
The Association for Talent Development invited Ken to write this 22-page booklet for the TD at Work series.
Current Blog Post
Add Punch to Your Writing with Sentence Variety, Rhythm, and Emphasis
Jobs become boring when the daily routine is repetitive, and so does writing when you read short, choppy sentences with …