STUDENTS' CORNER - 188

We will spend some more time on this point.

In written communication, particularly in business communication conciseness is looked upon as an essential skill.  Waste of words is waste of time and of energy. You achieve conciseness by conscious practice.  Why? Because, you are always exposed to excessive use of language. Nowadays, journalism has risen to the most important top slot in our daily living. We have seen people, be they young or old, becoming restless if the daily newspaper does not reach them in time. Media communication is not concise and is not expected to be concise. The speeches of the politicians in print are good examples of what is not concise. Of course, while speaking conciseness is cast to the winds.  In politics in particular long speeches are associated with successful politicians. Let us not go into this topic of lengthy orations of the politicians. It is the order of the day. Parents, friends, employers and fellow-employees and almost anyone you come across in everyday living,-- all speak of course without being conscious of conciseness. Since we are always subjected to such linguistic experiences, conciseness as a merit in written communication has to be practiced.

Another most important point is there should be no repetition.  There seems to be a common belief that repetition reinforces the fact; may be it is true in some areas like advertisements or in teaching; but, it must be avoided in business communication.  Apart from it being a waste of time and energy, it might give a wrong impression to the stakeholders who are sensitive to self-esteem. He might think that you are underestimating his ability to understand even simple matters. Or that you do not know how to write effectively. ‘The basic and fundamental principle of any business worth the name is to achieve sustainability through careful retention of the precious stake holders.’  Of course, long sentences must be avoided, first of all.  Why ‘basic’ and ‘fundamental’? Any one word will do. ‘To achieve sustainability’ is rather showy and academic; just to sustain is enough. ‘Careful retention of precious stakeholders’ dilutes the fact; to retain the stakeholder is enough. Again, precious is rather unnecessary.  Even if it contains some element of fact, it must be set aside if you want all stakeholders to stick to you.

We will see some more ‘don’t’s in our next session.