Inclusive and accessible communication should be at the front and center of everything we do every day. Along with that, we have some style and writing tips to share with you as well. These should serve you as a basis to build upon your future communication style guide.
Style Choices
- Use correct punctuation and grammar. Always.
- Use periods or semi-colons at the end of each item in a list.
- Use a comma or an exclamation point after the salutation in an email (“Hi Grut,” or “Hi Grut!”).
- Avoid using a colon after a name (“
Hi Grut:“). - Avoid using ‘&’ and spell it out.
- Avoid using “Dear” in your salutations and use “Hi” or “Hello” instead.
- Avoid using “Best” or “Cheers” as email sign-offs. Customize them and mean it.
- Avoid using “click here”, “please feel free” and any other overused expressions. Replace them with meaningful expressions.
Quick Writing Tips
- Make a sandwich. Start with the affirmations first. Then move to the “no’s”. And end your email on another good note.
- Be concise. People tend to read emails for up to 8 seconds – make them count. If you need to offer a chunk of information, use links to Amara resources whenever possible. Keep the email body clean and to the point.
- Use simple, direct language that makes information easy to digest. Avoid filler words and complicated sentence structure.
- Avoid mixing “I” and “We”. Use “we” when speaking for Amara, and use “I” when speaking for yourself.
- Write in the past or present tense. Avoid writing in the future tense whenever possible. Show that you’re already taking action rather than saying that you plan to.
- Use an active voice and use the first person. Avoid repetition and try to keep paragraphs short and free of jargon or fluff. Avoid passive voice as much as possible.
- Write for everyone. We’re about all humankind and for all humankind. Reflect it when you write and speak.