The Art of Explanation: How to Communicate with Clarity and Confidence Paperback – 23 May 2024

Helpful book for anyone - personally and professionally useful

An in-depth examination of how to communicate clearly and practical steps to improve your written and presentation skills.BBC journalist Ros Atkins shares his process to refining information to present compelling explanations that cut to the chase and get over the key information.I’ve delivered a ‘writing for humans’ and report-writing skills learning session at work for years. Reading this I’ve refined some of the steps in that training, but also realised there’s a gap in our training programme for the stage after the report and when presenting it to committee. This comes from the second part of the book which deals with preparing for handling questions about a topic.It seems daft to say now that it was an aspect I’d never paid much attention to. But, my focus has always been on improving written communication and the delivery of presentations. It felt like answering questions on those was just a natural follow-on that, if the work had been done on the first part, the rest would take care of itself. But, Ros’s breakdown of preparing for questions and guiding the unexpected or irrelevant ones back to the key points that you’re looking to communicate, is invaluable.

Fantastic book, highly recommend to anyone interested in communicating more clearly. Particularly if you give presentations, write reports or even just send emails.

Public speaking to small or large groups is not everyone’s idea of enjoyment. Speaking on national television, often with limited time to prepare challenges everyone. Ross Atkinson is very experienced at both and, over the years, has analysed what is required to be an effective speaker.This book is the result of many years at the forefront of explaining complex issues to large numbers in the best and most concise way possible. It is very readable (as one would expect) and divided into clearly defined sections, each a significant element in clear thinking and speaking.For anyone for whom public speaking is a requirement, a few hours invested in this book will be of great benefit.Recommended.

I do a huge amount of coaching and guidance for promotion interviews. I also give a lot of presentations and chair a lot of meetings in work. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. Ros’s book puts all of the things (and much more) I’ve tried to haphazardly explain to people over the years into a perfectly formed structure. I’m already quoting from it to people! It is great to have an insight from a broadcasting legend to use as an evidence-base for my mentees and staff I lead.This is an easy to follow book, and now very yellow from my highlighter pen.Brilliant.

I found this very useful in improving my communication at work. Might feel a little like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut at first, but I definitely feel the benefit.

SUPER book - with really useful tips and tricks to help explain and communicate. A must if you work in the comms industry!

Ros Atkins is an amazing guy and we really miss his explainers on BBC news. The book is mostly common sense, but Ros lays out the approach and order of events so well. Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain respect from their explanations.