Writing That Works by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson Summary
Overview of Writing That Works
Transform your business writing with "Writing That Works" - the communication bible that David Ogilvy insisted everyone read three times. For 40+ years, this guide has helped executives craft messages that persuade, inspire action, and eliminate the fluff that kills careers.
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Key takeaways
The Art of Communication in a Cluttered World
In today's digital deluge, where the average office worker processes over 200 messages daily, clear communication isn't just helpful - it's a competitive advantage. Warren Buffett demonstrates this perfectly in his legendary Berkshire Hathaway annual reports. Rather than writing for Wall Street analysts, he writes with his sisters in mind, using clarity and simplicity to build one of history's most successful investment companies while maintaining unparalleled trust. This approach isn't just effective - it's transformative. When communication cuts through noise, it creates connection, drives action, and builds reputation. In business, your words often arrive before you do, making your writing not just a skill but a crucial extension of your professional identity. Have you ever noticed how the most profound ideas are often expressed with the simplest words? Shakespeare captured King Lear's devastating grief with just "Never, never, never, never!" This is the essence of powerful business writing - don't mumble. Clear thinking leads to clear writing, and clear writing gets results. Start with structure. For anything beyond a few paragraphs, tell readers where you're going. Use short paragraphs, sentences, and words. The Wall Street Journal's readability comes from crisp sentences and brief paragraphs - never more than three sentences in opening paragraphs, often just one. Choose active voice over passive: "We recommend" rather than "It is recommended." Be precise rather than vague: "Overspent by $10,000" tells more than "very overspent."
Navigating the Digital Communication Landscape
The Enduring Power of Traditional Communication
Persuasive Presentations: Words That Move Audiences
From Words to Action: Writing That Gets Results
The Art of Self-Editing: Your Competitive Edge
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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