The 7c’s We All Look For

No, I’m not talking about the 7C’s we look for when we are scouting to marry men. I’m talking about the 7C’s in writing.

Why is this 7C’s so important you might ask? Well, the answer is because most of us, in whatever line of job we are in, spend most of our time replying emails and sending out business related documents.
So what are the 7C’s in writing?

Let’s start with the first C, the clarity of what’s written. It is important to avoid using complicated sentences and bombastic words here, because what’s important is getting the right message across.

The second C is about being concise. Being concise simply means using accurate words when writing. Try not to repeat phrases in writing because the written language differs from the spoken language. It is alright to repeat words to show emphasis in the spoken language, but it does not work the same way in writing.

Then comes courtesy, and this is where you express yourself tactfully. Being tactful does not mean saying kindly, of please, it simply means, saying what you wish to express in a diplomatic way. This is to avoid frustration with the party you are communicating with, and achieving your objective by seeming “nice but firm”.

The next C in writing is completeness. It is crucial to include any details deemed necessary when writing. It would help if you kept your audience in mind, and pretend you are the expert in what you are writing. Therefore, elaborate where you must.

Correctness in grammar, punctuation and spelling is equally important when writing a business document. Always use the word check where you can, and when in doubt, ask a colleague to read the document before sending it out to check if the message you are sending it is what is meant to be sent out.

The 6th C is being considerate. It is important to be considerate to others when writing. Most people have a lot of emails and other business documents coming through everyday, so keep your message short and sweet, and always mention how it would benefit the reader.

Last but not least, support your writing with concrete evidence. Be sure that you present facts and figures when necessary, and be truthful about it. Use credible sources and cite from various places when needed.

So, always have the 7C’s in mind when writing, go ahead, and try it out.