Stressing the reader’s interests is a matter of attitude more than pronouns, but pronouns contribute. “The help you receive” suggests more concern for readers than “the help we provide.” By being sensitive to the difference, you are more likely to meet your reader’s needs. Don’t use big words when little ones will do. (See table 2-1.) Rely on everyday words. People who speak with small words often think they must burden their writing with needlessly large words. Do you remember the city dude in those old Western movies who overdressed to impress the folks at the ranch? Overdressed writing fails just as foolishly. All writers try to impress readers. The best do it through language that doesn’t call atten- tion to itself. Size of vocabulary is less impor- tant than skill in using the words you already know. Normally, use short, commonly spoken transi- tional words instead of long, bookish ones. Use long transitional words occasionally for variety. By using short ones, you help set an ordinary tone for the whole sentence. BOOKISH SPOKEN consequently so however but in addition also nevertheless still Avoid the needless complications of legalistic lingo. Let a directive’s number or a letter’s signa- ture carry the authority. You risk being wordy and pompous by trying to put that authority in your language. Write to express not to impress. LEGALISTIC NORMAL aforesaid the, that heretofore until now herewith is here is notwithstanding in spite of the undersigned I Don’t be afraid to use some contractions in your writing. If you are comfortable with contractions, your writing is likely to read easily, for you will be “speaking” on paper. Be concrete in your writing. Don’t use a general word if the context allows for a specific one. Be as definite as the situation permits. If you write,  “The solution to low morale and poor discipline is good leadership,” your readers may feel warm all over. But until you point out some specific behavior meant by low morale, poor discipline, and good leadership, neither you nor your readers can tackle the problem. Similarly, don’t use a general word if the context allows for a specific one. Be as definite as the situation permits. Performance evaluations suffer when writers make extravagant, unsupported claims. Effective evaluations show what a person did and how well it was done. They are concrete enough to inspire confidence in the writer’s judgment about the ratee’s performance and potential. Break long sentences into manageable units. Then prune needless words and ideas. Example: Improved: Better: It is requested that attendees be divided between the two briefing dates with the understanding that any necessary final adjustments will be made by OP-96 to facili- tate equitable distribution. (29 words) It is requested that attendees be divided between the two briefing dates. Any necessary final adjust- ments will be made by OP-96 to facilitate equitable distribution. (12 and 13 words) Send half your people on one dav and half on the other. OP-96 will make final adjustments. (12 and 5 words) A request gains emphasis when it ends with a question mark. Look for opportunities to reach out to your reader: Example: Request this command be notified as to whether the conference has been rescheduled. Better: Has the conference  been rescheduled? Without generalizations and abstractions, lots of them, we would drown in detail. We sum up vast amounts of experience when we speak of 2-51