Writing That Works: How to Communicate Effectively in Business

The definitive guide to practical business writing from two advertising legends. Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson cover every format a business professional will encounter: emails, memos, letters, reports, proposals, presentations, resumes, speeches, and fund-raising letters.

Why Start Here

Writing That Works is the only book Roman and Raphaelson wrote together on the subject of writing, and it is the book that captures the essence of what they learned across decades at one of the world’s premier advertising agencies. Their approach is simple: say what you mean, say it clearly, and say it in as few words as possible. Then stop.

The book is organized by format, which makes it immediately useful. If you need to write a proposal by Friday, you can turn to that chapter and find concrete guidance. If your emails are getting ignored, the chapter on electronic communication explains why and what to fix. Every chapter includes examples of real writing, both strong and weak, with clear analysis of what makes the difference.

What to Expect

A slim, focused 193-page book that wastes no words, practicing the very efficiency it preaches. The third edition includes updated advice on email and digital communication. You can read it in a single sitting and return to specific chapters whenever you face a new writing challenge.