Compelling Communication: Developing the Tools for Successful and Persuasive Communication

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This book is suitable for college or university students headed for a
career in business. In a pinch it could double as a reference for
insecure business novices facing the task of writing their first report
or RFP (request for proposal).

After a lengthy section on troubleshooting common errors in grammar,
the work touches on writing for persuasion and on writing proposals,
reports, letters, memos, resumés, press releases, emails, and
presentations. There are notes on format and layout for various forms of
written communications, along with some cautions, checklists, examples,
tips, and quotes from famous communicators. Content not usually found in
basic communications texts includes suggested ways to overcome
writer’s block and how to handle media relations.

Tammemagi’s style is clean and functional but uninspired. For a work
that states “packaging is everything,” the layout is flat and
graphics non-existent. The student exercises included after each chapter
will be useful for instructors using the book with a college class but
kill any chance the text might have had of succeeding in the business
world.