Overall Vision
Let’s borrow some imagery from interior design.
If the clients wanted a comfortable hangout space for their family of seven, this yellow-chair design doesn’t work.
But it’s far more successful in an office for a professional with a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
I approach strategic writing in a similar way. I always ask two questions:
𑁍 Who is the audience?
𑁍 What do they care about?
I keep referring back to that vision as I’m working, to make sure I’ve covered all parts of the assignment.
Content & Layout
This bedroom design feels cohesive, right? It uses a limited color palette (white, beige, terracotta, and black) and geometric shapes (rectangles and circles) to create a modern, welcoming vibe.
This room isn’t confusing. Nobody would walk into it and think, “Wait, what? Is this an office?” It has a clear identity and a point of view.
Effective strategic writing is about choosing which pieces to include, and then weaving those elements together to form a new unified whole.
I can help create and arrange key pieces of your story by:
𑁍 Identifying and filling logical gaps
𑁍 Highlighting common themes
𑁍 Researching data points (I love research!)
𑁍 Gathering input from stakeholders
Style & Fine-Tuning
This is an example of the Japanese art of kintsugi, which involves repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer.
Whether repairs should be hidden or obvious is not a matter of right or wrong — it’s just a question of style.
Understanding the difference between style and correctness is vital. I have no interest in being a grammar tyrant, but I take accuracy very seriously, and I appreciate the value of style for consistent messaging and branding.
I have experience working with all of the following:
𑁍 Chicago Style
𑁍 AP Style
𑁍 In-House/ Corporate Styles
How would we “proofread” this room? We’d start by taking out the laundry. Then we’d move the vase off the floor so it won’t get broken. Maybe we’d drape a blanket on the ladder. Hmmmmmm, some art would spice up the walls…
That’s not proofreading, that’s full-on editing.
Proofreading is a careful, systemic process for confirming that requested edits were made and that not new errors have appeared. By the time something is ready to be proofread, it is too late to rework the whole design. We should be straightening the pillows, not hanging wallpaper.
I like proofreading and I’m good at it, but it’s really a separate skill from writing.
(I wrote this entire section before noticing THE PERSON UNDER THE LAUNDRY! It’s too funny to delete now. What a perfect illustration of paying attention to the wrong details!)
Proofreading
