“Cut the Jargon, Lead with the Point”
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Title: Writing That Works
Author: Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson
Category: Public Speaking & Communication, Writing, Language & Storytelling, Learning & Education
Nobody gets paid to read your memo. Sam and Sophie start there, because Writing That Works knows your reader is busy, distracted, and ready to stop. The first sentence must carry the point.
They walk through the inverted pyramid—lead with the conclusion—and the WIIFM principle: what's in it for the reader. Plus the war on jargon ('utilize' means 'use'), owning your mistakes with active voice, and writing fast then editing ruthless. Subject lines, memos, proposals, and designing for the scanning eye all get their turn.
For anyone who's stared at a blank page or sent an email that got no reply, this episode diagnoses the problem and hands you the fix. Clear writing isn't dumbing down—it's respect, and it's a skill anyone can learn.
Writing That Works by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson. Get the full written summary on 7minutebooks.com/app—over 6,000+ titles, readable or listenable in any language, with infographics on many. Unlimited access: $2.99 a month, $9.99 a year, or $19.99 lifetime.
Chapters
00:00Every Memo Fights for Attention00:50Brevity and the Jargon Crackdown01:23Outlines, Tone, and Owned Action01:57Templates and the Messy First Draft02:40Clarity, WIIFM, and Designing for Eyes03:42Respect Is the Real Skill
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