Readability - Softcover

People make a judgement of your character and competence based on a first impression. As you talk, you will help them understand if you communicate with an interesting delivery and appropriate voice tone, free from unnecessary distractions. Readability is the term for these non-verbal aspects when writing. Your reader will form an initial judgement based on the first appearance; voice tone is achieved by punctuation - every dot and squiggle of the punctuation code gives the inflection you achieve with your voice when speaking. Finally, where poor presentation will offer opportunities to be distracted by the arrival of an email (or need for coffee), good presentation will encourage the reader to read on. These non-verbal essentials of good communication are equally important in business writing: The first impression of a document will impact on the readers' enthusiasm for reading it and their faith in the quality of the content. Presentation that helps readers and encourages them to continue without distraction will increase your chances of getting your message across. Punctuation gives the pauses and emphasis that you do with your voice when speaking. Used correctly, each of the sixteen marks will help ensure your message is understood correctly at first reading. Having gone to the trouble to write, you may as well encourage your readers to read. In Readability you will find clear guidance on the use of every punctation mark, illustrated with examples throughout. Find out how to create that all-important first impression and ensure that you don't place any of the visual barriers that give your readers an excuse to be distracted.