At our cheeky little corner of the writing world, we’ve coined a unique style that reflects our learnings and principles. Let’s dive into why we structure our content the way we do:
- Writing For Your Audience
While this holds true for most writing, it’s especially critical for documents like policies and procedures. Our primary audience? The front-line staff. Sure, auditors and regulators matter, but if those who need to follow these guidelines struggle to understand them, it defeats the purpose. It’s about practical implementation, not just having policies on paper. - Word Economy
We’ve dedicated an entire blog post to this topic! The principle is simple: saying more with fewer words increases the chances of readers engaging and comprehending. Admittedly, it sometimes challenges our inner English schoolteacher, who taught us to write elaborate sentences. But brevity wins. - Reducing the Maintenance Burden
Business name changes don’t happen every day, but when they do, they trigger a wave of administrative work—updating references everywhere. Why not prevent this headache from the outset? The same applies to peoples’ names and job titles. Opt for general references that remain stable even if specifics change. - Embracing Basic Formatting
Experienced document writers master intricate heading styles in Word documents. But times have changed. Fewer employees read policies cover to cover; instead, they skim. Whether generational or not, we adapt. Keep formatting minimal—focus on the essentials for easy skimming.
Feel free to let us know if you’d like further elaboration or have any other questions!
