Write the amazon way

Pyramid principle

Use pyramid principle for writing a document.

1. Start with answer
2. Followed by arguments
3. End with data, facts and analysis.

3 key points to remember.

1. start with the answer: Thinking from bottom up, communicate top down
2. Group and summarize your supporting arguments
3. Logically order your supporting ideas

Write for audience

Use Knowledge transformation rather than knowledge telling

Have a Clear Purpose

• What is the purpose of the document?
• Why does the purpose matter to the business?
• Does the document define the scope in the purpose?
• Is the purpose statement concise, such as 2–3 sentences?
• Is the purpose statement at the beginning of the document?
• If the audience needs to make a decision after reviewing the document, does the document say it clearly?

Present Data to Support Arguments

Key points to remember when we write or review a document

• Does the document include the data that support the argument?
• Can the data in the document stand alone, be defined, and have a clear source?
• Can the data help the audience make a decision or distract them?
• Does context and supporting data help readers make sense of the data?
• Do you provide an absolute baseline when using relative metrics?
• Are there labels and legends in charts?

Put Ideas in Words: Write Concisely

Effective writing 5 key points: 1. Be concise. 2. Be specific. 3. Use active voice. 4. Use simple words. 5. Use short sentences.

Key points to remember

• Use concise sentences in your writing.
• Vary sentence length and strive for an average of no more than 20 words per sentence.
• Use longer sentences sparsely and only when necessary.
• An informative four-word sentence is perfectly acceptable: “We trust our customers” as a guideline for customer Service Associates speaks volumes — in just four words.

Build in white space

White space is the empty area between the characters, lines, or paragraphs in a document. Densely packed text is hard to read. White space helps readers process the information in a document, gives their eyes a break, and keeps them engaged. Look for opportunities to create white space in your document. Factors such as size of typeface, line spacing, margin size, and column width affect white space.

To create white space, shorten your sentences. Long sentences create solid blocks. Short sentences are easier on the eyes. Also, use short paragraphs, with space breaks between paragraphs. It is exhausting to read long, unbroken paragraphs. While there is no perfect number, aim to write about four to seven sentences per paragraph. Avoid paragraphs with fewer than three sentences or more than 10 sentences.

Use bulleted and numbered lists

Use tables to facilitate comparison

Spell out acronyms