Write personal and professional communications with clarity, confidence, and style. How to Write It is the essential resource for eloquent personal and professional self-expression. Award-winning journalist Sandra E. Lamb transforms even reluctant scribblers into articulate wordsmiths by providing compelling examples of nearly every type and form of written communication. Completely updated and expanded, the new third edition offers hundreds of handy word, phrase, and sentence lists, precisely crafted sample paragraphs, and professionally designed document layouts. How to Write It is a must-own for students, teachers, authors, journalists, bloggers, managers, and anyone who doesn't have time to wade through a massive style guide but needs a friendly desk reference.

Sandra E. Lamb was a technical writer, editor, and ghost writer before launching her career as a writing teacher. She has guided many diverse groups to greater eloquence, from the American National Cattlewomen's Association to the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Lamb is the author of Personal Notes and Write the Right Words. For more information, visit www.sandralamb.com.

I. Principles Getting Started 2 Graphic Design & Layout 14 II. Social Announcement 18 Congratulations 28 Celebration of Life Events 33 Holiday Greetings 37 Sympathy & Condolence 44 Get Well 52 Welcome 57 Invitation 63 Appreciation 71 Thank-You 75 Wedding & Engagement Correspondence 82 Personal Letter 93 Love Letter  100 III. Job Search Networking Communications 107 Resume Cover Letter 116 Resume 126 Online & Email Applications 143 Letter of Recommendation 146 Refusing an Applicant 154 Declining a Position 157 IV. Employment & Employee Communications Employee Correspondence 161 Introduction 165 Memo 170 Meeting Notices, Agendas & Minutes 179 Reprimand 184 Letter of Resignation 188 Employee Termination 192 V. Proposals & Reports Proposal 197 Contract (Letter of Agreement) 203 Business Plan 209 Formal Report 212 Informal Report 220 Feasibility Report 223 Technical Report & Technical Writing 225 Book Proposal 229 Research 237 Questionnaire & Survey 242 VI. Inquiries, Requests & Response Communications Request & Inquiry 246 Cover Letter 253 Response 257 Acknowledgment & Confirmation 264 Acceptance 269 Refusal 274 VII. Problems, Sensitive Matters & Resolutions Complaint & Protest 282 Disagreement & Dispute 291 Negotiation 298 Settlement 303 Apology 306 Forgiveness 317 VIII. Orders, Credit & Collections Order 326 Credit Inquiry & Providing Credit Information 331 Credit Approval 337 Credit Denial 340 Request for Payment Adjustment 345 Offering an Adjustment 350 Collection Letter 354 IX. Marketing, Public Relations & Sales Communication Direct Mail 361 Sales Follow-Up 368 X. Media Relations, Publicity & Publication Pitch Letter 373 Fundraising 376 Media Kit 384 Press Release 385 Questions & Answers (Q&A) & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 391 Biography (Bio) 394 Bibliography 396 Speech 397 Public Service Announcement (PSA) 400 Opinion Editorial (Op-Ed) & Letter to the Editor 402 Newsletter 404 Brochure 406 XI. Electronic Communication Email 408 Appendix 416 Index 420