Writing to Get Things Done | Berry Writing Group

In Your Opening Paragraphs

1) "We are in receipt of your letter dated..."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. It would be best to avoid using this opening paragraph. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers know you received their letter or you would not be responding to it. A better opening sentence would be to directly answer the point of your reader's letter to you.

It would be best to avoid using this opening paragraph. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers know you received their letter or you would not be responding to it. A better opening sentence would be to directly answer the point of your reader's letter to you.

2) "We received your letter of..."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This opening paragraph is similar to number one, only less formal. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers know you received their letter or you would not be responding. A better opening sentence would be to answer the point of your reader letter to you.

This opening paragraph is similar to number one, only less formal. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers know you received their letter or you would not be responding. A better opening sentence would be to answer the point of your reader letter to you.

3) "Attached for your reference, please find..."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers can see that there are attachments. A better opening would be to state their significance or tell what to do with them. If you have two or more enclosures, list then at the bottom under "Attachments:"

It would be best to avoid using this opening paragraph. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers can see that there are attachments. A better opening would be to state their significance or tell what to do with them. If you have two or more enclosures, list then at the bottom under "Attachments:"

4) "Enclosed, please find..."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. Although not as bad as, "Enclosed herewith for your perusal, please find…"This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers can see that there are enclosures. A better opening would be to tell of their significance or what to do with them.

It would be best to avoid using this opening paragraph. Although not as bad as, "Enclosed herewith for your perusal, please find..."This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent starting block to "Rambling Ralph." It's also an obvious statement-readers can see that there are enclosures. A better opening would be to tell of their significance or what to do with them.

In Your Closing Paragraphs

5) "Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph" A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

6) "If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be more specific about what questions and when to contact you. Example: "If you have any questions about these new changes, please call me by the end of the week so that we can discuss them.

This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be more specific about what questions and when to contact you. Example: "If you have any questions about these new changes, please call me by the end of the week so that we can discuss them.

7) "Thank you in advance for your cooperation."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

8) "We would appreciate your response to this matter as soon as possible."

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

This is an old-fashion cliché and a frequent exit door for "Rambling Ralph." A better closing paragraph would be to be appropriately specific about when and what you want your reader to do. When directness is tempered with positive tone, you might be amazed at what people will do for you.

Writing Process of Rambling Prose

9) Do you often compose your written communications at your computer as you're thinking it through?

Rarely
Sometimes
Often

Excellent. This is by definition what "Rambling Rose" does-starts with a thought and follows the stream of consciousness until the bottom line becomes clearly stated.

This is by definition what "Rambling Ralph" does-starts with a thought and follows the stream of consciousness until the bottom line becomes clearly stated.

10) Do you experience rewrites of your draft-from yourself and from colleagues-because your message is not clear?

Rarely
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Often

Excellent. Clear writing is clear thinking. A good thinking process is rarely a good reporting process-readers do not want to go on the writer's journey of discovery-it's too confusing and time consuming.

It would be best to avoid using this writing process. Clear writing is clear thinking. A good thinking process is rarely a good reporting process-readers do not want to go on the writer's journey of discovery-it's too confusing and time consuming.