Know-How Exchange : Other

Simple words, effectively used, is generally best.

As for US vs UK grammar - use what works. Split test your writing and see which newsletter causes the most sales leads.

I agree with Jay, and I would add this -- use language that fits your brand. Is your brand informal, formal? Cheeky, confident? The bottom line is that it needs to be understandable and convincing to your audience.

Dear PR,

I agree with the posts above, but you don’t say which country you are in, so it’s hard to judge.

However, as a Brit (and as a copywriter and editior, among other things) living and working in the United States (and I’ve been here for the last ten years), the issue of grammer is one I encounter every day.

My rule of thumb is as follows: when writing to an American audience, use American English, spellings, punctuation, and rules of grammer. When writing to a mostly British audience, use British spellings, punctuation, and rules of grammar.

But whoever you are writing to, write as your reader would want
to read.

So, write clearly. Write simply. Write as the vast majority of people speak on an everyday basis. Use short sentences.

Are one word sentences or paragraphs permissible?

Yes. They are.

See?

There’s no point in using flowery English just because you’re writing to an audience of Ph.Ds, yet people do it every day, simply because they believe it’s necessary. It’s not.

My high school English teacher, Mr. Chambers had a dry sense of humor (and note that I’ve omitted the “u” in humour. Whoops!).

He urged me to espouse elucidation and eschew obfuscation. Meaning adopt clarity and avoid ambiguity,

So, be clear and you’ll be understood.

I hope this helps.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA