Writing That Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job

Writing That Works is a comprehensive business communication guide focused on professional writing in workplace settings. The book covers essential elements of business writing including emails, reports, proposals, presentations, and various other document types. The authors provide specific techniques and examples for achieving clarity, brevity, and effectiveness across different communication contexts. Each chapter contains practice exercises, checklists, and real-world sample documents that demonstrate key principles. The text addresses both traditional business writing formats and modern digital communication channels, with guidance on tone, style, and document design. Coverage includes collaboration tools, social media considerations, and strategies for international business communication. At its core, Writing That Works emphasizes a reader-centered approach to professional communication, reflecting how workplace writing serves practical goals and must adapt to diverse audiences and organizational cultures.

Readers value this book as a practical reference guide for workplace writing. Many note its clear organization, examples, and templates for common business documents like emails, reports, and presentations. Positive feedback: - Acts as a "desk reference" for quick answers - Includes digital communication guidelines - Provides before/after examples showing document improvements - Covers grammar and style basics Common criticisms: - Content feels dated, especially technology sections - Examples sometimes seem obvious or simplistic - Price high for a paperback reference book - Some redundancy between chapters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (392 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (168 ratings) Several students mentioned using it as a required textbook but continuing to reference it in their careers. One reviewer noted: "I've kept this on my desk for 5 years - it's dog-eared from constant use." Multiple readers suggested the book could be condensed without losing value.

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The Business Writer's Handbook by Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, Walter E. Oliu The handbook provides solutions for writing challenges in business communications through alphabetized entries on grammar, style, and document formats.

The Elements of Business Writing by Gary Blake, Robert W. Bly The book outlines methods for composing memos, reports, proposals, emails, and other business documents with precision and clarity.

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📚 The book has remained continuously in print since its first edition in 1976, making it one of the longest-running business writing guides in publication. ✍️ Author Charles T. Brusaw developed much of the book's content while working as a technical writing consultant for major corporations like NCR and Xerox. 📧 The book was one of the first business writing guides to include detailed sections on email etiquette and digital communication, added in its 1997 edition. 🎓 It has been adopted as required reading in over 100 university business communication courses across North America. 💼 The text includes real-world writing samples from more than 50 different industries, collected by the author over three decades of consulting work.