Service Writing Essay

CHAPTER – 1

PRINCIPLES

Definition of Service Writing

    1. The term ‘Service Writing’ covers all writing originated by or on behalf of the Defence Services in an official capacity.

Aim of Service Writing

    2. The broader aim of service writing is to initiate required action quickly and efficiently. The particular aims of service writing are:-

        a) To express intentions.

  b) To convey orders and instructions.

  c) To persuade and convince by logical argument.

  d) To record discussions and decisions.

Characteristics of Service Writing

3. Essential Elements.   Service writing should follow the normal rules of English prose, paying particular attention to the following essential elements :-

      (a) Accuracy.     The need for accuracy in facts and figures is obvious, but in writing there is a tendency to forget that, exaggeration, overemphasis and implied statements are inaccuracies.

      (b) Brevity.     Brevity means the ability to inform the reader in the shortest possible time, without sacrificing clarity, completeness or style. It does not mean abruptness or telegraphs.

      (c) Clarity.     Not only must the individual word or phrase have a clear and unambiguous meaning, but the sense of the whole should be easy to understand at the first reading. There should be no doubt as to ‘what’, ‘who’,
      ‘where’, ‘when’ or ‘how much’ is meant.

      (d) Relevance. Relevance includes both the exclusion of any irrelevant word, phrase or idea and the inclusion of all pertinent essentials. The test is ‘if this is cut out, will it prejudice the argument’?

      (e) Logic.   Not only that ideas must not contradict each other but the sentences and paragraphs should be linked together and follow each other logically.

4. Style.     In order to convey to a reader the value of an idea or to justify a course of action, arguments in service writing must be based on facts presented in a logical order, the...