Filled with tips for old hands as well as for those who are new
to e-mail, this book is sure to help everyone write better
business messages on the job. Part 1 is specifically about how to
use e-mail at work. Part 2 is a useful guide to the nitty-gritty
of business writing for e-mail and on hard copy - how to get the
words and punctuation right so that you sound and look
professional.
The book is a great resource. I keep it on the shelf above my
computer so I can refer to it often. It's full of helpful
examples that show the wrong way and the right way to use words.
The complete index makes it easy to find things. You won't have
to wonder about whether to use lie or lay, which or that, fewer
or less, I or myself. You won't have to wonder about how to
address a new client or whether to send an urgent message. The
answers are all there in this one handy book.
The book consists of two parts: "How to make e-mail work for you" and "How to write for business". The first part covers basic usage of e-mail, and can be helpful for e-mail newbies. However, if you've sent ten thousand messages so far, it is unlikely that you find anything useful there.
The author has dedicated the second chapter of the book to business writing. It is mostly a set of dos and don'ts, without deeper analysis. I recommend separate, deep books on business writing and correct use of English. The author, has also given a list of references that include "The American Heritage Book of English Usage" by Editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries, "The American heritage Dictionary of the English Language" by Editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries, "Alphabet to Email" by Naomi S. Baron, "Email in the Workplace" by Cristina Cavanagh, "The Chicago Manual of Style" by John Grossman, "Grammar for Grownups" by Val Dumond, "Cliffsquickreview Writing" by Jean Eggenschwiller and "E-What?" by Editors of EEI Press.