The art of business writing - the Write the Talk blog

Fiona Woolf and the Seven Drafts - political letter writing laid bare

 

It's not often that the drafts of a letter are the lead news of the day, so today's coverage of the evolution of a communication to the Home Secretary has been remarkable if only for that reason. The child abuse inquiry and the choice of Chair are immensely important and sensitive and should not be trivialised, but there's a valuable insight here into the workings of political communication.

There'll be time for analysis later — in the meantime, here are the full Fiona Woolf drafts in all their subtly shifting glory.

While you're there, look out for how this early paragraph in the first draft of the letter ...

morphs into this ...

Presentation affects perception at least as much as fact. How an idea or a message is introduced heavily influences how it is received. A skilled writer can shape an idea in as many different ways as a skilled tennis player can shape a shot. It's a skill that should be used for good.

I hope the survivors of abuse, and the rest of us, get clear, unspun answers — however long that takes.

 

 

Why we need more creative people, everywhere.

Yesterday I came across a very important opinion piece on the critical importance of creativity in all areas of the economy as well as in our cultural lives. You should read it.

It struck a chord with me for two reasons. I've long encouraged businesses to get an imaginative writer on their payroll or partner list. Writing is so much more than decent grammar; it's about capturing and communicating ideas, painting pictures, and persuading prospects with personality and vibrancy. It's a core business skill whatever industry you're in.

We've also been working with a charity whose raison d'etre is to help children and young people develop and sustain their creativity. They're called The Mighty Creatives and they are an inspiring bunch pf people. For them, firing creativity in young people isn't just a way to occupy them for a day; it's about equipping them to take on the challenges that they, and all of us, will face as the world gets more complex and the challenges get more profound. We need people with ideas, independent thinkers with the courage to go with their own answers to the issues they come up against.

Creativity isn't a nice-to-have. It's fundamental, and we should value and encourage it.