Presenation on Business writing based on the The Minto Pyramid Principle.

1. Business Writing Vidhya Raghavan June 2, 2010 TPN Overview

2. Agenda Agenda Everyday business writing The Minto Pyramid Principle How to construct the Pyramid Normal and Inverted Pyramid Conclusion

3. Everyday business writing Everyday business writing Whether it is an email, memo, report, presentation or any other business document we produce everyday.. We need to order information in a sequence that is: Easy to understand Easy to retain Easy to recall Easy to act

4. The Minto Pyramid Principle The Minto Pyramid Principle “The Minto Pyramid Principle says that your thinking will be easy for a reader to grasp if you present the ideas organized as a pyramid under a single point.” Core Message Pavan Kotige Important details Fine details The Minto Pyramid Principle concentrates on the thinking process that should precede writing. http://www.barbaraminto.com/

5. How to construct the pyramid? How to construct the Pyramid Deductive Approach – Move from bottom to top Core Message Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 List down all facts. Deduct the Core message from the facts that are in agreement. This generally works well for a “Not-so-receptive” audience. Page 5

6. How to construct the pyramid? How to construct the Pyramid Deductive Approach – continued.. Core Message If this fact is not in agreement, follow the illustration in red. “However…” Give a positive msg Core Message Resolution Comments Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 1 Fact 2 Situation Fact 3 Fact 3 “Currently…” Give the bad news… If some facts are in disagreement, deduct part of the core message from the cycle in red. Page 6

7. How to construct the Pyramid Inductive Approach – Move from top to bottom Core Message Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Get to the core message. Induct all the facts that support the core message. This generally works well for a “receptive” audience. 6/5/2010

8. Normal and Inverted Pyramid Normal and Inverted Pyramid Fact 3 Core Message Fact 1 Fact 2 Core Message Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Best used for “Pitching”, when audience does not need details. Best used for “Training”, when audience needs details.

9. Conclusion Conclusion Any business document or an email should have a Structure that is easy to Understand, Retain, Recall and Act.