Writing that is easy to understand is good business 2023

It is difficult to conceive of a company that would not seek further success.

It is not difficult to recognize companies that do not care enough about their clients to write in a clear and concise manner to them, but instead generate uncertainty and tension.

A letter was sent to me not too long ago by an insurance firm that is responsible for carrying one of my policies. The cost of the premium goes climb somewhat at regular intervals.

Confusion stresses consumers and damages relationships.

The author of the letter admits that the firm made a mistake in the most recent premium adjustment that it implemented. The letter informs the recipient, “You still have two years left on your rate guarantee.”

To my surprise, though, it turned out that the two years in question started from the time of my most recent premium adjustment. In the latter part of this year, rather than in two years’ time, my premium will be increased.

Because I was perplexed, I phoned the firm and spoke with a representative about why the statement that I still had two years remaining on my rate guarantee did not imply what it stated it meant.

After 15 minutes of confusing me, the representative conceded I was right and that the information was wrong.

I urged her to bring up the phrasing of the letter in a discussion with the management of the firm so that any future interactions with policyholders would be understandable. I hope that the insurance carrier of my coverage is prosperous and maintains its existence.

Being a cruel and inconsiderate reviewer is not something that interests me. When I read anything, I do not actively search for faults; rather, they jump out at me from the page. In the same way that good writing does.

This statement, which originally appeared in a prominent American newspaper, is an excellent illustration of how the meaning may be improved by making a single, uncomplicated adjustment, while also giving the sentence a more powerful conclusion:

“Over the last five years, Ms. Lucca has endured the passing of her mother, whom she described as having schizophrenia symptoms, in addition to the dissolution of a long-term romantic partnership.”

Because the term “as well as” is connected to “schizophrenic” in such a tight way, it may lead us to believe that we are going to be informed of further diseases.

It would be more accurate to write: “In the past five years, Ms. Lucca has battled with the loss of a lengthy relationship as well as the death of her mother, who she stated suffered from schizophrenia.”