Press/Articles/Books
For Emphasis, Save Strong Words for the End
Simple and direct is the reliable go-to sentence structure of English, but if you edit closely and notice that certain words in a sentence create...
read moreResearchers: Reading Bite-Size Bits of Information Hinders Our Thinking
Historically, humans have developed the brain capacity for "deep reading," that is, processing information, relating it to our existing knowledge, and asking questions about the material. But digital readers, jumping from one snippet to another, are losing the ability to think carefully and remember, according to researchers.
read moreIs it More Persuasive to Give Both Sides of the Argument?
When you want to convince someone that your point of view stronger than someone else’s, you might avoid mentioning any opposing opinions....
read moreWriting in Style for Business
People sometimes try to justify they way they write by saying, “that’s my style,” but in business communication, clarity and...
read moreBe Persuasive: Present Your Request as a Future Commitment
If you want to persuade someone to do you a favor, you’re more likely to succeed if you present it as something that is a few weeks or months...
read moreBeing Persuasive: Asking for Less can Lead to More
Too often, people ask for approval of their entire request, regardless of what it is. Asking for less the first time makes the request easier for someone to approve it, and if she approved it once, she is more likely to approve a subsequent request later.
read moreShould You Write the Way You Talk? To a Degree.
Writers should have a simplified, conversational tone, but not at the risk of wordiness. People are often told to "write the way you talk," but everyday speech is terribly inefficient, and the emphasis in business is on tight writing. Look for extra words in sentences that contribute nothing to the meaning.
read moreUse Vivid Language to Persuade People to Accept Your Idea
Asking an audience to do something or to agree with your viewpoint is more persuasive when you use vivid language and description that enables people to visualize the impact on them and others.
read moreHow Managers can Provide Effective Feedback
Feedback might be a manager's best tool for building stronger, more collaborative teams. Presenting specific, useful feedback in a way that is supportive and encouraging demonstrates caring and inspires trust.
read moreKeep Difficult Conversations in Balance
Uncomfortable conversations often get derailed because the core issue is lost in emotions: anger, embarrassment, resentment. Managers should not avoid having difficult conversations, because that can lead to further problems. But if both people try to understand each other's perspective and if both agree on an outcome that helps each person, the discussion is less likely to become toxic.
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
Passive Voice is Not Always Wrong
The passive voice remains an easy target of business writing critics, but sometimes it is preferable to an active sentence. …