Are there any people other than mothers who ever truly know that they have been the most important person in the life of someone else? I like this question, and ask some variant of it in most of my professional communications classes, on the first day, to explain why workplace documents should be as brief as possible (but no briefer). Unless you are a Mom addressing your young child (or, I suppose, a blessedly happy spouse addressing your partner), chances are excellent that you are not the most important person in the life of your reader. Respect that fact always, and don’t waste anybody’s time. Be generous by being concise.
Follow us on Twitter: @nocontestca
Follow me on Twitter: @thebasil