We communicate for a range of reasons: to inform, to persuade, to connect. Regardless of the purpose, though, authenticity is critical. Aside from the the personal and ethical dimensions, being ‘true to yourself’ can also make you more likeable, credible, and interesting to listen to.

Staring at a blinking curser and feeling completely at a loss? Don’t worry, you are in great company with almost anyone who has had to write anything, including some of our greatest writers. Read on for some great tips to get started.

The embrace of plain speaking and plain writing is great. We should all strive to make what we say clear and accessible, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly technical language. But using some lesser-known words makes our language richer and more interesting.