Writing right now? Try our R.O.S.E method.
Our Reader, Structure, Story, Edit framework will let you get back to your day job faster. We like to think it’s a version of the tech approach to problem-solving:
Reader - what are the user requirements?
Order - how to design the solution.
Story - what does it need to work?
Edit - check that it functions.
You can use this with the document you’re working on right now. Think about your reader first, order your ideas, fill in your story with proof and then edit so you sound like the expert you are.
Reader - what are the user requirements?
What do they need to know? If you could only tell them one thing, what would it be? This is often money, time or people.
Imagine you’re in the pub with your workmates, do you start with ‘Jim’s resigned’ or ‘remember that bloke from the meeting last week’? If you want to make them put their pints down in amazement you start with the most compelling point.
Order - how to design the solution.
Now you have your most compelling point, jot down the other key things you want to say. Position these as if they are the first lines of your paragraphs (or slides maybe).
Order the sentences so you start with your best point. Do NOT begin with the background. The temptation is to have first sentences like this:
Paragraph 1. Background
It goes without saying that AI is becoming more and more important to business.
Paragraph 2. Context
AI has improved over twenty years with the availability of big data.
Paragraph 3. Solution
AI needs a big database, or the whole internet to work properly.
Paragraph 4. Outcome
Our AI model is 99.98% effective in detecting plant pests and diseases.
Paragraph 5. Conclusion
It works for large farms and in conjunction with robots.
Yawn!
Check back to point 1. and the thing your reader wants to know first. Like this:
Paragraph 4. Outcome
Our AI model is 99.98% effective in detecting plant pests and diseases.
Paragraph 5. Conclusion
It works for large farms and in conjunction with robots.
Paragraph 3. Solution
AI needs big database, or the whol internet to work properly.
Paragraph 2. Context
AI has improved over twenty years with the availability of big data.
Paragraph 1. Background
It goes without saying that AI is becoming more and more important to business.
Better. And you can probably ditch the first line, Paragraph 1.
Story - what does it need to work?
Now you can bring your details game. Fill in your paragraphs or slides with proper proof. Not just opinion (although that’s good), but options, examples and stats. Add infographics and graphs.
Now read the first sentence of each paragraph aloud. Have you buried an important point deep in the paragraph? Fish it out, like a stray crisp from the packet, and put it at the beginning.
If it doesn’t flow, rearrange the order and/or rewrite them until they do flow, or at least sound less jerky.
Edit - check that it functions.
You want to sound like the expert you are. Here are a few editing tips to help with that.
Shorten your waffly sentences. 15 – 20 words is an easy to read sentence. It’s also easier to write.
Add subheadings, space and reminders. These help to guide the reader through your document. It gives them confidence in you.
Explain your terms. A two letter acronym is an indulgence. Write it out.
Read the whole piece out loud. This will help you pick up typos, confusing sections, long sentences (do you run out of breath?).
Better still, have someone else read it out loud and tell you what they think the most important point is.
Is it written? If not and you’d like more, check out our blogs on writing for business; Blogging for Experts and Is Your Board Bored?
We can devise a session or two for your team. We’ll use their own documents and get them writing in the session.
Or drop Kate a line for a copy of our guide. It’s designed for experts with better things to do: Report Savvy. Write well, be understood, look expert.
